Are you a tester who spends more time manually creating complex
test data than using it? A business analyst who seemingly went to
college all those years so you can spend your days copying data from
reports into spreadsheets? A programmer who can't finish each day's task
without having to scan through version control system output, looking
for the file you want?

If so, you're wasting that computer on
your desk. Offload the drudgery to where it belongs, and free yourself
to do what you should be doing: thinking. All you need is a scripting
language (free!), this book (cheap!), and the dedication to work through
the examples and exercises.

Everyday Scripting with Ruby is divided into four parts. In the first, you'll learn the basics of
the Ruby scripting language. In the second, you'll see how to create
scripts in a steady, controlled way using test-driven design. The third
part is about finding, understanding, and using the work of others--and
about preparing your scripts for others to use. The fourth part, more
advanced, is about saving even more time by using application
frameworks.