Learning ruby on rails

This is an old thread but is still relevant. Treehouse updated the Rails development track 2 days ago with little to no improvement in the Rails related content.

I don't feel any concepts are being explained, I am just typing random stuff like a chimp hoping make it through the videos alive.

Did anyone find a better resource for a Rails beginner with Ruby knowledge?

I would use this image for comparison. Rails is the black curve (EVE Online) and other supporting things (like HTML, CSS, jQuery, Database, Git etc.) are those other, colorful lines: http://i.imgur.com/jj16ThL.jpg

I personally required a lot of third-party material to get to the poin where I feel like I understand a lot of what is going on here (although the more you learn, the more you see that there's still a long road ahead, and getting longer). The sources included books and other courses (free or paid).

I feel totally lost to be honest...only been learning Ruby for a few weeks and now I'm following this Rails course (Todo List Application) I literally have no idea what's going on, what I'm doing or why. It seems to have just jumped ahead from beginners to advanced (in my head) really quickly.

I'm just following the motions in the video and typing everything out but I have no idea what any of it means or why I'm typing it.

I've only just noticed there's standalone Ruby courses on Treehouse that aren't included on the Ruby track (I'm not sure why) so I'm going to go back and do those and see if I can get things clearer in my head. I'm also going to have to get some extra resources in the form of books or other websites that explain things in more detail. Treehouse videos are very good at explaining what you have to do and the steps you need to take, but not any deep explanations as to what any of it means and why you are doing it.

I had that problem when I started learning, (and still do when working on another language) but the only thing you can do is keep pushing through and reviewing, you shouldn't try to remember every little thing but the stuff you need to know will stick after a while. Finding another project on your own that reinforces the concepts also helps rather than just following someone.

I understand what you mean. I started learning rails and there are some things I don't get at all. But it's not going to be easy. I'm constantly reading others sources on the internet and even bought some books. You should check out Michael Hart's Ruby on Rails Tutorial. It helped me a lot and try building a simple app on your own with the principles you learn here. But like I said earlier, its not going to be easy. You should also try and join a Rails meet up to get around people that know it. I am going to join one myself.

Thanks for the replies guys :) (especially like the graphic, definitely sums it up). Just glad to know it isn't just me!

Rob, I've spent hours weekly for the past year and I still feel stuck. Sucks.

I've been greatly disappointed in this video. Jason is jumping around and assuming entirely too much. I doubt very few people who are comfortable in rails would be able to follow him.

I'm so glad to have found this thread and find that my feelings are echoed here. I keep waiting for the moment when light will break through the clouds, but there's just this nagging sensation that there is a missing course between the Ruby course and this one. It just feels like this video assumes you already have a working knowledge of what Rails is and why it is structured the way that it is. Still, nothing to be done but keep pushing forward!

I'm in the same boat, and have been sinking for the past few days. The ruby on rails portion of the course has been time consuming, frustrating, and demoralizing. I can't say that I've actually learned anything, as there's no what/why explanation for expressions, syntax, or solutions employed. I will absolutely NOT recommend this portion of the course to anyone. I hope there's a better ruby on rails tutorial on this site.