What is the difference between local and remote gems?

Question

When I tried to install the mysql2 gem (using "sudo gem install mysql2"), I was surprised not to find the gem listed in my "gem list".

After some googling I found out that the mysql2 gem was installed in my remote gems (look them up using "gem query --remote" or with "gem search mysql2 -r") and than I installed them from remote to local using "gem install --remote mysql2".

Now the mysql2 is listed in my gem list.

I am glad I found the solution, however, I don't really understand why the gem installed in remote gems in the first place or what the difference is. Googling did not return a good explanation.

Can someone please explain the difference to me?

The answer to your question is most likely here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2119064/sudo-gem-install-or-gem-install-and-gem-locations — Marc Talbot, Feb 03 '12 at 01:00
Thanks Marc, I learned a few things from reading that thread. — Peter-Jan Celis, Feb 03 '12 at 21:15

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 03 '12 at 00:44

4

Remote gems are really just those on the RubyForge or Github servers. Why it wouldn't install is beyond me, but know that there is no such thing as a remote gem, just gems installed on your machine and gems that you can download from a remote server.

answered Feb 03 '12 at 00:44

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What is the difference between local and remote gems?

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