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Super Simple Ruby on Rails with MacPorts

I’ve been setting up quite a few Ruby on Rails development environments on various mac’s just recently and I’ve found a pretty nice work flow, so why not share it with the world?

So first up, this is MAC ONLY, sorry windows chaps you’ll have to look else where. I have a list of some other good windows tutorials here.

Update: If you are using OS X 10.5 Leopard you’ll want to use this guide instead: Teabass.com/super-simple-ruby-on-rails-install-with-macports-for-leopard

So lets assume that you have a brand new mac or a clean install and dive straight in:

1. Install X11 - You’ll find this on the software disc that came with your mac or download from Apple
2. Install Xcode - Again on the software disc with your mac or you can download the latest version from ADC
3. Install Macports - Download Macports and run the installer (1.4.0 at the time of writing and you’ll want 10.4 if your using OS X Tiger)
4. Add macports to your Terminal - Since macports gets installed in /opt/ you’ll need to add the path to your terminal config so you can use it.

   Open ~/.profile with your favourite texteditor and add this line to the bottom of the file:

   PATH="/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/bin:/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin"

   and then save the file, close it and restart your terminal.

5. Check for macports updates - in your terminal type:

   sudo port selfupdate

6. Install Ruby and friends - This is the big one, installing loads of software using macports, in your terminal put:

   sudo port install ruby rb-rubygems rb-termios subversion +tools

   This command could take quite a while to complete as it’s compiling everything from source, make a cup of tea and have a browse on Greenvoice while you wait!

7. Install MySQL - This is the one that usually causes the headaches so I’ll go slowly:

   sudo port install mysql5 +server

   sudo ln -s /opt/local/var/run/mysql5/mysqld.sock /tmp/mysql.sock

   launchctl load -w /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macports.mysql5.plist

   At this point restart your machine.

   For a performance boost you can also run this command:

   sudo mysql_install_db5 --user=mysql

8. Install Ruby’s MySQL adaptor - One last port install:

   sudo port install rb-mysql

9. Install Rails and friends - So the hard part should be over now, all that is left is to install a bunch of gems:

   sudo gem install rake rails capistrano mongrel mongrel_cluster deprec --include-dependencies

Some optional gems you might like - Money, ferret and OpenID to improve your apps with:

sudo gem install money ferret ruby-openid --include-dependencies

And your good to go! If this is your first step into rails then head over to “Getting Ryan on Rails” and find out more.