# Installing Ruby & VS Code

## Abstract.

I document my process for installing Ruby and Visual Studio Code on my Ubuntu Desktop system. I cover the prerequisite system update, the installation commands, and the VS Code extensions and settings I rely on for my daily development workflow.

***Attributions:***

***None for this post.***

* * *

## An Introduction.

I maintain Ubuntu Desktop as my primary development environment. As part of my setup, I install Ruby — a language I use for scripting and system tasks — alongside Visual Studio Code, my preferred editor. This post captures exactly how I set up the tools so I that I have a consistent, and repeatable process for new and re-imaged Ubuntu systems.

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## The Big Picture.

Ruby gives me a flexible, expressive scripting language that integrates well with my Linux environment, and VS Code provides a lightweight but powerful editor with rich extension support. Together they form the core of my daily toolchain. By laying out every step here, I avoid forgetting a crucial setting or extension when I need to rebuild my environment.

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## Prerequisites.

*   Ubuntu Desktop 22.04 LTS or later,
    
*   A `sudo`\-enabled terminal.
    

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## Updating my Base System.

*   From the terminal, I update my system:
    

```bash
sudo apt clean && \
sudo apt update && \
sudo apt dist-upgrade -y && \
sudo apt --fix-broken install && \
sudo apt autoclean && \
sudo apt autoremove -y
```

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## Installing Ruby & VS Code.

<div data-node-type="callout">
<div data-node-type="callout-emoji">💡</div>
<div data-node-type="callout-text">Ruby is a general-purpose programming language designed for simplicity and productivity, known for its elegant syntax that resembles natural language. It is widely used for web development, particularly with the Ruby on Rails framework, and supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented and functional programming.</div>
</div>

<div data-node-type="callout">
<div data-node-type="callout-emoji">💡</div>
<div data-node-type="callout-text">Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is an integrated development environment (IDE) developed by Microsoft that supports various programming languages and features like debugging, syntax highlighting, and intelligent code completion. It is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, and can be customised with extensions to enhance its functionality.</div>
</div>

*   From the terminal, I install Ruby:
    

```plaintext
sudo apt install -y ruby-full
```

*   I install the AsciiDoctor PDF Gem:
    

```plaintext
sudo gem install asciidoctor-pdf
```

*   I install VS Code:
    

```plaintext
sudo snap install code --classic
```

*   I can refresh VS Code, if required:
    

```plaintext
sudo snap refresh code --classic
```

*   Within VS Code, I install the following extensions:
    
    *   AsciiDoc from AsciiDoctor
        
    *   Code Spell Checker from Street Side Software
        
*   In the Settings for VS Code, I set:
    
    *   `Files: Auto Save` to `afterDelay`
        
    *   `Files: Auto Save Delay` to `0` (where each change to a file automatically results in that change being saved)
        
    *   `Asciidoc › Pdf: Engine` to `asciidoctor-pdf`
        
    *   `Asciidoc › Pdf: Asciidoctor Pdf Command Path` to `/usr/local/bin/asciidoctor-pdf`
        
    *   `C Spell: Language` to `en-GB`
        
    *   `Editor: Word Wrap` to `on`
        
*   The following VS Code settings are OPPOSITE to BEST PRACTICE:
    
    *   `Security › Workspace › Trust: Banner` to `never`
        
    *   `Security › Workspace › Trust: Empty Window` to `un-tick`
        
    *   `Security › Workspace › Trust: Enabled` to `un-tick`
        
    *   `Security › Workspace › Trust: Startup Prompt` to `never`
        
    *   `Security › Workspace › Trust: Untrusted Files` to `open`
        

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## The Results.

After I run these steps, my system has Ruby and VS Code installed and configured exactly as I need them. The `asciidoctor-pdf` gem lets me render AsciiDoc documents to PDF directly from within VS Code. My chosen extensions and settings — auto-save with zero delay, the correct PDF engine path, British English spell-checking, and word wrap — make my editing experience smooth and productive. I disable the workspace trust prompts because they interrupt my flow on my own machine.

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## In Conclusion.

I now have a repeatable, documented procedure for getting Ruby and VS Code onto any fresh, or re-imaged, Ubuntu Desktop. By committing this process to my blog, I save myself the hassle of rediscovering each setting every time. The process is straightforward, and the result is a consistent development environment I can rely on.

Until next time: Be safe, be kind, be awesome, kia kaha!!

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