OS-X, Rails: “Failed to build gem native extension”

Question

I\'m stuck trying to install rails on my mac. I have OS X 10.6.8 and I have confirmed that I have Ruby, version 1.8.7

I ran sudo gem update and su

Answer 1

Not sure what it needs to compile, but OSX can't compile any native ruby extensions at all unless the Apple developer tools are installed. On 10.7 Lion you can download it free from the app store, or Download it here for 10.6: http://developer.apple.com/xcode/index.php

It may also be on your OSX install discs, though probably much more out of date.