10 Benefits of Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails (RoR) is a trusted server-side web development framework based on the Ruby language. It simplifies the development process and minimizes the learning curve for every developer on the team. 

No wonder the recent StackOverflow survey found 5.49% of software developers using Ruby on Rails. Ruby itself is a popular language among developers. In the same survey, 6.23% of developers said they use Ruby programming language for their projects. 

Not to forget the pay scale. The survey also listed Ruby among the top five highest-paid languages in 2023, with an average annual salary of $98,520. 

This leads us to the question, “What makes Ruby on Rails so popular? “Is it the Ruby language’s popularity or any unique feature of this open-source framework?”

This post will answer all your questions by listing the benefits of Ruby on Rails so you can make the right choice for your business.

Key Takeaways:

• Based on the Ruby language, Ruby on Rails expedites the development process with its free gem libraries, open-source code base, and scalability.
• Ruby on Rails works on a Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, Convention over Configuration (CoC), and Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) principles to give developers a quick kickstart for development. 
• There is a RoR community (Ruby Ecosystem) and many online forums and groups on GitHub and Stack Overflow, where expert developers share their expertise with beginners. 

1. Rapid Development

Ruby on Rails accelerates the development process with its readily available plugins (called gems) and libraries. Its code base is also extensively based on open source, allowing you to build diverse app functions without spending time on boilerplate code.

Ruby on Rails works on principles of CoC and DRY (we will discuss them later), which eliminate the need for manually setting up configurations. Moreover, with its simple syntax and concise coding, you can achieve more output in fewer code lines.

All these features make the Ruby on Rails web development process easier and simpler. 

2. Cost-Effectiveness

The development budget is a primary concern for businesses, especially startups. You want to complete the process as quickly as possible and at a low cost without compromising quality and scalability.

Cost-effectiveness is another one of the benefits of Ruby on Rails. This full-stack framework offers free resources (RubyGems) and compatibility with many operating systems. It also works with a wide range of databases and web servers.

With RoR, you can add complex features to your development process without spending additional money. 

3. Scalability

Scalability is of utmost priority for developers when developing an application. Only a scalable program can manage and adapt to future changes without compromising performance. 

Ruby on Rails is one such platform. Operating on Ruby coding language, the framework’s server-side code instantly processes a high number of user requests without requiring a third-party web service. 

If you have used client-server applications before, you know they need a web service to accommodate more user requests. Shopify is a great example of an app that works on Ruby on Rails and smoothly serves over 300,000 customers.

The Ruby on Rails framework is also quite flexible and easily customizable. Whether it’s database interactions or user interfaces, you can tailor the features according to your needs.  

4. Active Community and Ecosystem

Of all the benefits of Ruby on Rails, the RoR community stands out the most. You can join online forums, groups on platforms such as GitHub or Stack Overflow, and conferences where developers using RoR share their knowledge and contribute to the existing code base.

This ecosystem also welcomes new developers with extensive libraries that help them understand Ruby software and the language itself. You can also engage with seasoned developers by being active in the community.

5. Convention Over Configuration

Two powerful aspects of Ruby on Rails are the Convention over Configuration (CoC) and the Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) principles. 

These principles ensure the framework works on a set of sensible configurations without requiring developers to set them up on their own. This allows you to focus on more critical tasks, like writing precise, accurate, and maintainable code, at minimum development time. 

CoC and DRY also enable code optimization, where the RoR’s modules manage complex data computations instead of developers. 

However, it’s important to first study and understand CoC and DRY properly. RoR community, official guides, and interaction with experienced developers can help you significantly in this regard. 

6. Secure Development Environment

Every business tries its best to ensure a secure development lifecycle. If you’re stressing about it, there’s no need. Ruby on Rails has multiple safety features by default that keep the process safe from potential vulnerabilities. Whether it’s Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) or SQL injection, the framework will protect your development process from all sorts of threats.

RoR supports both types of development: behavior-driven (BDD) and test-driven (TDD). Just keep your framework’s version up-to-date, perform regular security audits, and use security-focused gems. 

7. Robust Testing Framework

One of the most helpful benefits of Ruby on Rails is its robust testing framework — all thanks to its model-view-controller (MVC) architecture. 
This architecture divides an app into three interconnected layers concerning the codes working on the app’s data. The MVC centralizes the app’s business logic and how data will be manipulated. The data for the users is in the form of HTML, XML, PDF, and so on.

The third layer is the controller, which communicates with models and views. It works with different models to process browser requests and instructs which view should be displayed to the user.

The MVC architecture also facilitates developers in creating dynamic websites with advanced asynchronous programming techniques. You will also get a helpful testing suite for benchmarking, syntax, and more.

8. Compatibility With Agile Methodologies

Ruby on Rails is a comprehensive, full-stack framework for developing almost any type of Ruby program or app. From healthcare to e-commerce, RoR is ideal for long-term projects with high scalability needs. 

This framework is also compatible with many agile methodologies, which are common in businesses today. Ruby on Rails supports agile development by enhancing collaboration across the platform, improving code quality, and delivering quality results in less time. 

Since RoR requires fewer lines of code and little to no configuration for app development, it’s considered ideal for agile. That’s a major reason you see so many businesses opting for RoR web development services.

9. Cross-Platform Compatibility

One of the benefits of Ruby on Rails is its compatibility with a wide range of platforms. It has a simple database backend that serves as the perfect alternative to Laravel, Node.js, J2EE, and .Net frameworks. 

As a full-stack framework based on the Ruby programming language, RoR has a complete set of controllers, modules, APIs, and gems. All these contribute to the easy implementation of business logic present on the backend of web apps.

With RoR’s cross-platform compatibility, you can build web apps in almost any niche for any type of business in less time and cost.

10. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

The benefits of Ruby on Rails are constantly evolving and innovating. If you’re an active member of the RoR community, you may have heard about some of the most anticipated events in this framework.

The release of Rails 7 improved the features of the previous version, Rails 6. It enhanced the multi-database support management with its new API, allowing developers to benefit from diverse data sources within the Rails application. The new version also facilitates quick prototyping by working with other development tools, allowing businesses to iterate on their ideas instead of opting for full-scale development.

Overall, Ruby on Rails keeps you up-to-date with the Ruby programming language with continuous iteration in its framework. Stay active in the RoR community and forums to stay updated on new developments. 

Conclusion

Ruby on Rails (RoR) is one of the popular full-stack, server-side web development frameworks based on the Ruby programming language. It offers a robust architecture, free databases and libraries, and cross-platform compatibility for quick app development. 

The benefits of Ruby on Rails are many. Its CoC and DRY principles ensure high-quality code, rapid deployment, and cost-effectiveness, making it the best choice for small, medium, and large businesses. 

So, are you ready to leverage Ruby coding with Ruby on Rails? Connect with a reputed RoR development company like Flatirons to help you get started. We have a team of expert Ruby on Rails developers to guide you throughout your web app development process.