How To Run Ruby File In Terminal

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Ruby is a dynamic, open-source programming language that focuses on simplicity and productivity. It has an elegant syntax that’s easy to read and write. If you’re new to Ruby or just need a refresher on how to run Ruby files in the terminal, this guide is for you.

Prerequisites

Before we start, you need to have Ruby installed on your machine. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can follow the instructions on the official Ruby website. Once you’ve installed Ruby, you can check the version by typing ruby -v in your terminal.

Step 1: Create a Ruby File

First, create a new Ruby file using your favorite text editor or IDE. For this guide, we’ll create a simple “Hello, World!” program. Create a new file called hello_world.rb and add the following code: 

    puts 'Hello, World!'

Save the file in a directory of your choice.

Step 2: Open Terminal

Next, open your terminal (command prompt on Windows). If you’re using macOS or Linux, you can use the built-in Terminal application. On Windows, you can use the Command Prompt or PowerShell. The steps to run the Ruby file will be the same for all terminal types.

Step 3: Navigate to the Directory

In the terminal, navigate to the directory where you saved your hello_world.rb file. You can do this by using the cd (change directory) command followed by the path to the directory. For example, if your file is located in the “ruby_projects” folder on your Desktop, you would type: 

    cd Desktop/ruby_projects

Step 4: Run the Ruby File

Now that you are in the directory containing your Ruby file, you can run the file using the ruby command followed by the filename. For our example, you would type: 

    ruby hello_world.rb

After hitting enter, you should see the output “Hello, World!” displayed in the terminal.

Conclusion

In this guide, we walked through the process of running a Ruby file in the terminal. The key steps are creating a Ruby file, navigating to the directory containing the file, and running the file using the ruby command followed by the filename. Now you’re ready to start running your own Ruby programs!