Once upon a time in the early 2000s, a new hero emerged in the world of web development. It was not wearing a cape or armor, but it was to become the spearhead that changed the face of the development of web applications.
This hero was not a person but rather a programming framework called Ruby on Rails. It had a goal to make developers’ lives easier, shorter, and more productive. To date, Ruby on Rails remains not only a fundamental framework of modern web solutions. But as a part of many small and big start-ups and even huge systems of enterprises.
Simplifying Complexity
When you first decide to hire Ruby on Rails developers, you are not just acquiring technical expertise. You are actually dealing with a kind that goes back to the principles of minimalism and optimization.
Rails, in a way, was created when people realized how much fun and how simple it could be to code while not giving up all the things developers need.
At its core, Ruby on Rails operates on the principle of ‘Convention over Configuration.’ This means that by default, Rails assumes what you’re trying to do and requires minimal configuration to get there.
This allows developers to start projects without having to reinvent the wheel each time. This is achieved by incorporating a rich set of libraries within the framework to facilitate common operations that have to be repetitive in an agile environment.
Speeding Up Development
- Rapid Prototyping
Ruby on Rails is synonymous with speed. From the idea stage to a working prototype, Rails allows developers to launch functional products in record time. This speed is revolutionary for startups since they can redesign services based on users’ responses within short spans of time.
- Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY)
This principle is a cornerstone of Rails philosophy. It encourages reusability of code which not only reduces the chance of bugs but also decreases the amount of code, making it easier to manage and modify.
- Active Record
Rails comes with built-in support for database interaction. The Active Record framework lets you create, retrieve, update, and delete database records without needing to write raw SQL – all through intuitive Ruby code.
Adaptive Nature
Rails is not just a framework of the past; it is continually evolving. With all the new updates, new modes are added that reflect the latest trends and possibilities of technologies of nowadays’ world so Rails does not get left behind in the modern technological era. Here’s how Rails is keeping up:
- WebSockets and Action Cable
Real-time features are increasingly crucial for modern web applications. Rails 5 introduced Action Cable, a library that seamlessly integrates WebSockets with the rest of your Rails application.
- API Mode
Rails 5 also came with an API mode, which is especially useful for those who use Rails as a backend to power web APIs. This mode removes all additional elements that are not required for the development of an API application. Hence, it reduces the size and the time taken by the application.
The Community and Beyond
A significant part of Rails’ strength lies in its vibrant and supportive community. This community not only contributes to the strong ecosystem of gems (libraries) that extend the functionality of Rails. But it also ensures that help is just a forum post away.
- Gems
Whether you need authentication (Devise), administration (ActiveAdmin), or file uploading (CarrierWave), there’s a gem for almost every feature you need to implement.
- Educational Resources
Categorized into tutorials, blogs, videos, and books, Rails is easy to start with for new beginners. It also increases the learning opportunity for the advanced developer all through.
Conclusion
Due to its simplicity, mixed with power, Ruby on Rails has been standing its ground in the kingdom of web development as one formidable framework. It opens up great potential for new programmers and gives experienced coders the tools they need to create powerful systems quickly.
