no gitignore file in new rails app

Question

I created a new Rails app using version 3.0.1 (in order to follow along with a tutorial using 3.0.1), but it didn't create a gitignore file. If I create my own, what ending should I put on the file? is it an rb file? or can you explain why it might not have created this file?

Answer 1

It isn't a ruby file. It is simply a list of files or directories to ignore. Simply create a file called .gitignore. There is no extension.

Answer 2

.gitignore is a file used by Git version control system. It has nothing to do with Ruby and you don't need to create it unless your project uses Git as a version control system. Here is more info about gitignore if you are interested: http://gitready.com/beginner/2009/01/19/ignoring-files.html

Answer 3

Michael, I thought I had this issue too; maybe rails is creating the file, but it is just hidden. Make sure you are seeing all the hidden files; on Ubuntu, when the folder where your other rails folders appeared, enter Ctrl + H to toggle files being hidden/unhidden.