Packaging systems are great: like the iTunes App Store except free, accessed from the command line, and you get to feel like a big boy as packages are compiled locally. Not only that, but you get to brag when some dependency on Boost maxes out all of your cores — for an hour. Long ago Fink was package manager of choice, but MacPorts is the dish of the day.

I install it when I need it. My basic needs are easily met:

> sudo port selfupdate
> sudo port install ruby19
> sudo port install rlwrap
> sudo port install lua
> sudo port install spidermonkey

Allow me to describe the goods:

• ruby19 — Because I love Fibers so very much.
• rlwrap — Gives readline support to any command-line tool. I love it.
• lua — Lua is my favorite dynamic programming language. Its nearly perfect minimalist design comes as a great surprise given its gradual evolution. Usually languages become grossly bloated over time. Perhaps Lua’s modest goals and centralized leadership have helped.
• spidermonkey — Good to have JavaScript readily available at the command-line. Though really, I just use it as a calculator.

Next Time?

Other languages and tools: Git, Ruby, and Haskell.