As an object-oriented scripting language, Ruby is known to build an online app at a faster speed. In 1995, Yukihiro Matsumoto, a Japanese developer, launched this widely used programming language. Since its initial release, several Ruby versions followed. Version 2.5.1 of Ruby was its recent release during the early part of 2018.
Written in C language, Ruby is generally characterized to be an open source, free, and readily available. This can back many other platforms such as Unix, Linux, Mac, and Windows. Ruby has a file extension of ‘rb.’ Ruby has the same features as other scripting languages such as Small talk, Perl, and Python.
Easy to maintain and scalable
With its clear syntax, Ruby makes it easy to learn and write. Basically, it has the same syntax as those found in Perl and C language. In terms of power and simplicity, Ruby strikes a good balance them. Ruby’s written programs are easy to maintain and highly scalable. The creation of several libraries makes writing Ruby syntax to be available as needed and is stressed during the platform testing.
Multiple features
Ruby is built with multiple features such as reliable typing and ducks typing, syntax flexibility, garbage collection, inheritance, overloading, exception handling, lexical closures, built-in support, iterators, variable scope, centralized management system, custom dispatch behavior, implementable on all platforms, and many libraries.
Ruby on Rails structure
In Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails, the latter has a web app framework. Regarding its architecture, Ruby on Rails has a model view controller (MVC) structure. This entails having separated data from a user interface, which provides various data views. Ruby on Rails is commonly designed for server-side scripting and building web applications.
Currently, Ruby on Rails is popularly called Rails. In 2015, David Heinemeier Hansson was responsible for the establishment of Ruby on Rails. Its most recent version release is 5.2.0. It has been written using the Ruby programming language.
Building web applications in Ruby on Rails has been found very productive. One of the reasons is that Ruby on Rails can create interface scripts. This web app can be written in scripts with HTML language while providing support to Tcl/Tk. Also, Ruby on Rails can be easily linked to a database, where inbuilt functionalities can be employed to develop Ruby scripts.
Ruby on Rails is classified into modules. Some of these include Action Pack, Action Mailer, Active Support, Active Model, Active Resource, and Active Record. It provides a flexible architecture. Ruby on Rails brings an efficient approach to create apps that can easily express the planned concepts.
Ruby on Rails is known to adopt the concepts of ‘Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY)’ and ‘Convention Over Configuration (COC)’. DRY means ever repeat the code or you should not write the same code all over again. The code is expected to be well-written, easy-to-maintain, and expandable. with fewer issues and improved functionality. Meanwhile, COC ensures the flexibility of not writing the huge configuration files instead the set of default conventions can be employed.
Spot the difference: Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails
The following are the key differences between Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails. Both Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails are top choices in the industry.
1. Ruby is known as general-purpose programming language while Ruby on Rails is mainly created for the database-driven web app.
2. Ruby is considered a programming language while Ruby on Rails uses an MVC framework.
3. Ruby apps work on the same device while Ruby on Rails has apps that only operate on the web server.
4. For Ruby, when writing web apps with features can be difficult. Meanwhile, in Ruby on rails, it is quite easier to create a web application and maintain it.
5. Ruby is a secure programming language. However, Ruby on Rails is more secures as compared to Ruby.
6. Ruby is commonly used in static websites while Ruby on Rails is not recommended when creating static websites.
Other features’ comparison between Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails
Programming. Ruby uses the C language program. Ruby on Rails takes the Ruby programming language.
Framework. Ruby has no framework. Ruby on Rails uses a web development architecture.
Application. Ruby can be employed for desktop apps. For Ruby on Rails, it is used in developing web apps.
Influence. Perl and Smalltalk are the inspirations of Ruby. In Ruby on Rails, it takes its inspiration from Django, Python’s Laravel, and PHP, respectively.
Principle. Ruby embraces the user interface design principle while Ruby on Rails was based on the DRY and COC principle.
Syntax. In terms of syntax, Ruby’ is the same as Perl and Python. Ruby on Rails’ syntax is similar to Phoenix in Elixir, Python, etc.
Language. In Ruby, when developing apps, those mainly used are C++, Java, Vb.net. In Ruby on Rails, those commonly used are HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and XML.
Assessment – Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails
Both Ruby and Ruby on Rails are open sources, the cost is free and readily available. The necessary support is given using a huge documentation process using official websites, online community, and blogs with more specific open basic-source repository.
Ruby on Rails is popularly used based on its framework structure, which highlights its quality attributes. It can provide quicker programming mechanism compared to other available languages. Also, the framework eases to implement modifications during application development. The focus is targeted on testing and attaining a solid testing framework.
Regarding speed, Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails apps is basically slow when compared to other developed apps in other programming languages such as Java and C.
In terms of memory management, both platforms are not as good as compared to other languages. Both are not suitable for the sites with a huge amount of current codes and database. Ruby provides a simple syntax, improved productivity, and better maintenance. However, it lacks focus on effective resource management and performance.
Every language has its own strong points. Based on the requirements or client specifications, any language or framework has been shown to work well in creating the apps for the end users.
It is easier to take advantage of Ruby on Rails if the user has a good background of Ruby initially. Both Ruby and Ruby on Rails are gaining momentum in the industry with their recent releases. For any newbie, it is a good language, where its syntax is made simple and easy to understand.