Ruby on MacOS

Ruby Versions

recommended => ruby 2.3.1
    minimum => ruby 2.2

We know that ruby 2.4.0 is available. We are having problems supporting ruby 2.3.1 and ruby 2.4.0 simultaneously.

We no longer support running with Apple's system ruby.

• Apple's ruby and gem binary is always several versions behind the most recent version,
• by default, Apple's version requires sudo to install gems,
• the ruby version on your local machine should match the ruby version in CI, including the ruby version on the Xamarin Test Cloud, and
• everyone on your team should be using the same ruby version.

You should never install a gem with sudo.

Using sudo is inherently dangerous. Executing a gem install with sudo is even more dangerous because gems can execute code at install time. This means they could erase parts of your hard drive or publish sensitive information to the internet. Installing gems with sudo on MacOS can overwrite the pre-installed system gems which could cause internal MacOS and Xcode tools to fail.

• https://github.com/wmorgan/killergem
• https://twitter.com/timcharper/status/26202857990

Still not convinced? See what others have to say:

• https://robots.thoughtbot.com/psa-do-not-use-system-ruby
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2119064/sudo-gem-install-or-gem-install-and-gem-locations

Ruby managers on MacOS

rbenv

rbenv is a system for managing ruby versions.

• GitHub project
• Installing with Homebrew. RECOMMENDED
• Installing with ruby-build

We strongly recommend you use rbenv over rvm.

rvm

rvm is another ruby management system.

There are many users who use rvm with success, but we have had some users report problems using rvm + Calabash iOS.

We urge you to use rbenv.

Tip - gems installing slowly?

$ gem source -r http://gems.rubyonrails.org
http://gems.rubyonrails.org removed from sources

Avoid installing documentation:

# Create a ~/.gemrc with the following:
install: --no-document --env-shebang
update:  --no-document --env-shebang

Tip - Use bundler

http://bundler.io/

Bundler maintains a consistent environment for ruby applications. It tracks an application's code and the rubygems it needs to run, so that an application will always have the exact gems (and versions) that it needs to run.

We recommend that you always use a Gemfile and bundler.