Creating a To-Do List App with Ruby


Introduction

A to-do list app is a simple but useful tool for managing tasks and staying organized. Developing your own to-do list app with Ruby is a great way to apply your programming skills and create a tool that can improve your productivity. In this guide, we'll explore the basics of building a to-do list app using Ruby.


Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have the following prerequisites:


  • Basic knowledge of the Ruby programming language
  • A code editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text)

Step 1: Set Up the Project

Create a new Ruby project folder and organize it into directories. You can use the Sinatra web framework for building a web-based to-do list app, or you can create a command-line app if you prefer. For a web app, you'll need to install the Sinatra gem:


gem install sinatra

Step 2: Build the To-Do List

Here's a basic example of a Sinatra-based web to-do list app in Ruby:


require 'sinatra'
# Store tasks in an array
tasks = []
get '/' do
  erb :index, locals: { tasks: tasks }
end
post '/add_task' do
  task = params['task']
  tasks << task unless task.empty?
  redirect '/'
end

Step 3: Create the User Interface

Design the user interface using HTML and CSS. You can create a form for adding tasks and display the list of tasks. Here's a simple HTML form:


<form action="/add_task" method="post">
    <input type="text" name="task" placeholder="New task" required>
    <input type="submit" value="Add Task">
</form>

Step 4: Display Tasks

Show the tasks in your app using a loop in the HTML template. Here's an example:


<ul>
  <% tasks.each do |task| %>
    <li><%= task %></li>
  <% end %>
</ul>

Conclusion

Creating a to-do list app with Ruby is a practical project that combines programming and productivity. You can expand this app by adding features such as task deletion, due dates, and user authentication.


Use this app to manage your daily tasks, create a collaborative to-do list with friends or colleagues, or learn more about web development with Ruby and Sinatra. The possibilities are endless, and you can customize the app to suit your specific needs.


Enjoy building your to-do list app with Ruby!