Like Smalltalk, it is dynamically typed (as opposed to Java or C + +), but unlike Smalltalk, Ruby features the same conveniences found in modern scripting languages, making Ruby a favorite tool of programmers are smart, forward-thinking and the basis for the Rails web framework . This is a reference manual for Ruby, including a description of all standard library modules, complete reference to all built-in classes and modules (including all new and changed methods introduced by Ruby 1.9). Learn about the new parameter passing rules, local variable scoping in blocks, fibers, multinationalization, and the new block declaration syntax, among other exciting new features.