DEV Community

Shraddha
Shraddha

Posted on

Today I learned- Ruby CLI Applications

Today, I embarked on a journey into the world of Ruby CLI (Command Line Interface) applications—a realm where productivity meets simplicity. Join me as I explore the fundamentals of building CLI tools in Ruby and uncover the potential they hold for developers of all levels.

Step 1: Discovering Ruby CLI Applications
Ruby CLI applications are like hidden gems waiting to be unearthed. With Ruby's expressive syntax and powerful libraries, crafting CLI tools becomes a joyous endeavor. These applications offer a seamless way to interact with users through the command line, executing tasks swiftly and efficiently.

Step 2: Building My First CLI Application
I dove right into the action by creating my very own Ruby CLI application. Starting with a simple structure—a single Ruby file—I defined my application logic within a class and unleashed my creativity.

# cli.rb

class MyApp
  def run
    puts "Welcome to My CLI App!"
    puts "Enter your name:"
    name = gets.chomp
    puts "Hello, #{name}! How can I assist you today?"
    # Add more functionality here
  end
end

# Run the app
ruby cli.rb
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Step 3: Testing My Application
I ensured the reliability and robustness of my CLI application with testing. Using tools like MiniTest, writing tests became a breeze. I verified that my application behaved as expected under various scenarios, paving the way for seamless user experiences.

# tests/cli_test.rb

require 'minitest/autorun'
require_relative '../cli'

class MyAppTest < Minitest::Test
  def setup
    @app = MyApp.new
  end

  def test_welcome_message
    assert_output(/Welcome to My CLI App!/) { @app.run }
  end

  # Add more tests here
end

Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Step 4: Expanding My Horizons
Once I dipped my toes into the waters of Ruby CLI applications, the possibilities were endless. I considered adding features such as command-line argument parsing, integration with external APIs, or advanced error handling. Letting my imagination run wild, I unlocked the full potential of CLI development in Ruby.

Conclusion
Today, I embarked on an exciting journey into the realm of Ruby CLI applications. Armed with the knowledge of building, testing, and expanding CLI tools, I'm well-equipped to navigate the vast landscape of software development. As I continue to explore, I remember that every line of code is an opportunity for growth and learning.

Happy coding!

Top comments (1)

Collapse
 
oinak profile image
Oinak

Just in case you have not stumbled upon it, ruby-doc.org/3.3.0/stdlibs/optpars... can do a lot of heavy lifting in supporting unix style command options for your CLI scripts.