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README: Added a section on "New to Programming?"

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Andy Meneely 11 years ago
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      README.md

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README.md

@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ Squib tries to keep you DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) with the following features:
## Get to know Ruby's Array and Enumerable
If you don't know Ruby, welcome! We are so happy that Squib is your excuse to learn programming.
Don't know Ruby? Welcome! We are so happy that Squib is your excuse to learn Ruby.
Ruby has a *very* rich library for all of its built-in data types, especially [Array](http://ruby-doc.org/core-2.2.0/Array.html), and it's broader module [Enumerable](http://ruby-doc.org/core-2.2.0/Enumerable.html). Since Squib primarily takes in arrays into most of its fields, getting to know these methods will help you out enormously:
@ -558,6 +558,23 @@ I also highly recommend upgrading to new versions of Squib every chance you get
For bugs and feature requests, feel free to [file a bug or feature request](https://github.com/andymeneely/squib/issues). A minimal code example along with your OS and Ruby details would be ideal.
## New to Programming?
I often hear statements like "I'm not a programmer, but I want to use Squib." If you want to use Squib, then maybe you really were a programmer all along :)
Squib is a Ruby library. To learn Squib, you will need to learn Ruby. There is no getting around that fact. Don't fight it, embrace it.
Fortunately, Ruby is wonderfully rich in features and very expressive in its syntax. Ruby has a vibrant, friendly community (much like tabletop game designers!). Ruby is the language of choice for many new programmers, including many universities. Plus, learning how to code is ubiquitous on the Internet.
Doubly fortunately, Squib doesn't require tons of Ruby-fu to get going either. The main things you'll need to know are:
* Working on the command line
* Ruby Arrays, so that the `range` parameter makes more sense
* Strings, variables, and symbols
* If you are using Excel or CSV, then Ruby hashes are worth a glance.
* Working iteratively: making small edits and run your code frequently (every few minutes)
Anything related to Ruby on Rails is not necessary to learn for Squib. Rails is a heavyweight framework for web development (awesome in its own way, but not relevant to learning Ruby). Squib is about scripting.
## Get Help
There are lots of people using Squib already. If you've gone through the [samples](https://github.com/andymeneely/squib/tree/master/samples) and still have questions, here are some other places to get help.

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