When comparing CoffeeScript Ristretto vs Code School, the Slant community recommends Code School for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to learn CoffeeScript?” Code School is ranked 3rd while CoffeeScript Ristretto is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose Code School is:
After each video, there are a series of challenges that give you a chance to apply what you just learned. The great thing about these challenges are that they force you to think through a problem, and use the new skills to solve it. It's not just regurgitating facts; it requires some effort.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Beginner-friendly
The first half of the book covers the basics concepts in-depth, before moving on to the more advanced CoffeeScript capabilities.
Pro A respected author
Reginald Braithwaite is well known and respected in the dev community.
Pro Practice the code after each video
After each video, there are a series of challenges that give you a chance to apply what you just learned. The great thing about these challenges are that they force you to think through a problem, and use the new skills to solve it. It's not just regurgitating facts; it requires some effort.
Pro Paths for learning different skills
While you can jump into any video you like, there is also the option to follow a path for what you are wanting to learn. These give a nice direction if you are wanting to improve on a particular area and guide you into what to do next. They currently offer Ruby, Javascript, HTML/CSS, and iOS.
Pro Videos show how to build an app in real time
Soup to Bits is a series of videos that shows a developer creating an app from scratch in real time. It's easy to pause a video and follow along with the developer.
Pro Video tutorials
Videos give an overview of the course/lesson plan before a single line of code is written. This gives context and a general understanding of what is possible and how teaching will be approached.
Pro Fun and engaging teaching style
The instructors often use humour throughout the videos while letting their passion for the topic show.
Pro In-depth courses
Code School is not just for beginners to programming, but provides plenty of intermediate and advanced courses for students as their skills grow.
Cons
Con Not a lot of practical examples
The balance between between academic and practical code examples leans heavily on the side of academic.
Con Acquired by Pluralsight
Con Videos are of a tone that some people cannot stand
Con Requires paying to complete courses
Although the beginning of each course is free and you can see if you are interested in pursuing it, to complete the course you must pay.
Con A bit too basic
There is not a lot of advanced content.