What is a binding for Ruby?

[Todd Gardner]

Hello everyone,

I need to use voice dictation software Dragon NaturallySpeaking on
Windows 2000. I would like use IBM's ViaVoice for Linux
unfortunately, I work at company that shuns the idea of using Linux.
For that reason I must use Windows.

In general, I have been trying to utilize plotting packages that have
not been written for Windows 2000. Users of this group quite often
recommend software to me and they say something like that software has
a binding for Ruby.

I'm guessing I have used bindings for Ruby and don't even know it.

Pardon my ignorance:

What is a binding for Ruby?

How can I use a binding for Ruby?

How can identify that something is a binding for Ruby?

Do I need a compiler of some sort?

Thank you,

Todd

 

[Mark Hubbart]

Hello everyone,

I need to use voice dictation software Dragon NaturallySpeaking on
Windows 2000. I would like use IBM's ViaVoice for Linux
unfortunately, I work at company that shuns the idea of using Linux.
For that reason I must use Windows.

In general, I have been trying to utilize plotting packages that have
not been written for Windows 2000. Users of this group quite often
recommend software to me and they say something like that software has
a binding for Ruby.

I'm guessing I have used bindings for Ruby and don't even know it.

Pardon my ignorance:

What is a binding for Ruby?

How can I use a binding for Ruby?

How can identify that something is a binding for Ruby?

Do I need a compiler of some sort?

A binding (in this context) is an interface that lets Ruby use a
certain library or piece of software. For example, RMagick is a Ruby
binding for ImageMagick/GraphicsMagick, and it lets you work with those
libraries using Ruby. When talking about Ruby bindings, you can be sure
that the other piece of software is not written in Ruby, it is written
in C, C++, etc.

If there are Windows binaries, you just install them, I think. If there
are no Windows binaries, you would have to compile them yourself.

HTH,
Mark