Developers often ask: Is Ruby on Rails dead? The answer is a resounding no. The fact is, the Ruby on Rails framework is not as young and exciting as it once was. That said, it does not mean it is dead. Like other programming languages, RoR is a stable framework. It has its pros and cons, an extensive ecosystem, and many ROR developers. Over the years, RoR has proven to be a reliable tool for web development.
We strongly believe the Ruby programming language is strong despite claims that Ruby on Rails is dying. Read on to find evidence to the contrary of what naysayers think.
What makes some believe Ruby on Rails is dead?
A language, even the ones we use to communicate daily, is considered dead if it is no longer in use. That said, according to Stack Overflow, Ruby on Rails remains among the top 20 web development frameworks. What makes some think Ruby is dying? First, the popularity of Ruby on Rails has been on the decline for over a decade. Second, the interest in the technology has also been fading.
Besides a decline in popularity and interest in Ruby on Rails developers, other factors contribute to the impression that Ruby is dead. These are:
Competition
In the early 2000s, Ruby received the language of the year award. Ever since, other programming frameworks have adapted their innovations. In addition, newer programming languages offer similar benefits and are more lightweight than Ruby. Moreover, tying Ruby to Rails makes the programming language strongly linked to web development, obscuring its broader potential. For instance, the Python community promoted the language by creating libraries that have become crucial in machine learning and data science.
Furthermore, today most junior developers prefer JavaScript frameworks since JavaScript supports front-end and back-end. Even though Ruby on Rails is more agile and faster in web development, its steep learning curve makes it suitable only for experienced Ruby developers.
Chasing novelty
The Ruby programming language is over 20 years old, meaning the initial excitement has faded. What's more, the original advocates, such as Chad Fowler and Gregg Pollack, are no longer active. This contributed to the decline in the overall buzz.
Besides, software developers often switch preferences with some growing tired of using one language while others embrace the latest trends. Also, changes in employment can result in the adoption of different programming languages. This often happens to all programming languages. Thus, the fact that it happened to Ruby does not mean it is dead.
Reasons Ruby on Rails is not dead
Although Ruby on Rails is no longer trendy, the Devōt team has been using it across several projects. Using this framework allows the team to save time in development while ensuring quality and fast rollout of updates. Here are the top reasons Ruby on Rails still has supporters.
Mature framework
In the last two decades, Ruby on Rails' active community has built solutions for popular problems. As such, most Ruby developers can access platforms such as Ruby Toolbox with well-established, reliable Ruby gems with real-life applications. Over time, subpar tools disappeared, leaving well-maintained packages that are ready for use. Rails development techniques, libraries, stacks, guidelines, and patterns have been refined. Thus, every Rails community knows the best practices, eliminating the desire to reinvent the wheel.
Regular updates
Ruby receives multiple updates each year. The Ruby on Rails community ensures the language remains safe, efficient, dependable, and works seamlessly with the latest hardware and software. As such, it stays competitive.
At Devot, we often receive client requests to upgrade their Ruby web applications. This is common for web applications running on older versions like Ruby 2 and Rails 5. It is a sign Ruby on Rails is not dead or dying, but rather thriving.
Large developer community
The reality of Ruby on Rails is quite different despite speculations of Rails dying or being dead. It has a community that is surprisingly active and large. For instance, the GitHub repository for Ruby on Rails has over 4,900 active contributors. Compare that to around 2,500 contributors for Django, a popular Python framework. Going by these numbers, it is clear there is an ongoing engagement with the Ruby on Rails platform.
Many companies use it
Today, Ruby on Rails is the backbone of content management systems across various industries. Here are popular names that still use Ruby in their applications:
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Airbnb - Ruby on Rails helps this platform efficiently handle transactions and bookings.
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Shopify - This tech stack relies on Ruby's flexibility and cost-effectiveness to manage operations.
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Stripe - Capitalizes on Ruby on Rails' stable foundation to experiment with new innovative features.
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GitHub - Depends on Ruby on Rails to manage huge quantities of daily project management requests on the platform.
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Netflix - Relies on Ruby on Rails flexibility to develop new features and apps.
Thus, contrary to some claims that Ruby on Rails is only appropriate for startups, these examples prove otherwise.
Why developers still use Ruby on Rails
Productivity
Developers prefer Ruby app development because of its conciseness. Often, Ruby on Rails code tends to be 3 to 4 times less than other languages. Thanks to the less code, software development on Ruby on Rails takes 30% to 40% less development time.
What's more, Ruby's convention-over-configuration principle decreases the number of decisions developers must make. Further, Rails' built-in generators improve speed and help automate repetitive tasks for web developers, which saves time. Also, the framework integrates seamlessly with agile software development techniques.
Fast prototyping
Since basic CRUD applications can be generated without much coding, Ruby on Rails is ideal for swift prototyping and an MVP. Moreover, several Ruby gems allow developers to create new solutions without starting from scratch.
This results in lightweight code and better performance. The scaffolding feature generates starter code for views, models, and controllers, which supports fast prototyping. This feature is perfect for early development stages or when creating MVPs with little effort.
Flexibility
The modular Rails design makes it easy to update or add to the existing components. In addition, dynamic variables in Ruby allow developers to represent several values in a single variable and alter them as needed. Also, the latest version offers fast performance for one-page web applications, offering a seamless and responsive user experience.
What's more, Ruby on Rails seamlessly integrates with JavaScript frameworks such as Stimulus, Hotwire, and Turbo. This lets web developers leverage the power of both programming languages to create dynamic and interactive web apps with ease. Besides, Ruby on Rails is a full-stack framework, which allows developers to build both the front and back end of web applications. As such, it promotes streamlined development processes and efficient handling of user requests.
Secure and reliable
Ruby on Rails promotes quality standards and the use of best practices in web development. Most Ruby gems are well-documented, highlighting the best practices to decrease the likelihood of errors. In addition, the Don't Repeat Yourself and Convention over Configuration principles are crucial in Ruby on Rails. These provide a clean and manageable way of creating applications.
Ruby boasts a remarkable garbage collector that automatically detects technical issues without manually setting it first. Also, the active community of developers helps improve the Ruby code base and implement new functions. This enhances the stability, security against vulnerabilities, and predictability of the Ruby on Rails framework.
Ruby on Rails drawbacks
Slow runtime performance and speed
Often, Ruby falls short when compared to other programming languages on typical benchmarks. Ruby on Rails spontaneously shows high CPU usage. As developers run their usual processes, they sometimes notice 50 to 100% spikes in CPU usage. It can be frustrating, resulting in developers killing their processes.
That said, benchmarks do not offer a complete picture since there is more to performance than speed. Often, execution time is not crucial unless you are building a huge software application with strict hardware limitations. For perspective, Python can be slower compared to Ruby in execution. You can mitigate CPU usage issues by disabling unnecessary background processes and editing configuration files. The root cause of this problem lies in the quality of the code.
Scalability issues
Compared to other frameworks, Ruby on Rails' scalability is insufficient because of its limited support for asynchronous processing and concurrency. However, application scalability depends not only on the framework but also on the chosen architecture. Thus, consider the available scalability tools in the chosen architecture. Also, developers should take into account the anticipated number of concurrent users and the selected environment before web application development.
When handling increased user requests, Ruby on Rails depends on a load balancer to offer adequate performance. Also, the framework facilitates modular code that works seamlessly with most database management systems. Therefore, with appropriate optimization, Ruby on Rails can address the scalability issue adequately.
Lack of skilled developers
Usually, employers face challenges finding highly skilled Ruby on Rails developers to build high-quality Ruby on Rails apps. However, this issue is not unique to Ruby on Rails. It is common across several programming fields. One effective solution is to partner with specialized outsourcing services like Devot.
Popular use cases for Ruby on Rails
Ruby covers literally all the aspects of web development. That said, there are several areas where Ruby on Rails excels compared to other general-purpose programming languages. These are:
Marketplaces
Ruby on Rails built-in tools support HTML, JavaScript, and data storage. This eliminates the need to install another software to handle these areas of a marketplace website. Also, no need to learn another programming language. This makes the development of a marketplace website easy and efficient.
Software as a service (SaaS)
Besides simplicity, Ruby on Rails supports seamless integration with external services like cloud servers and payment methods such as AWS and PayPal. The support for web apps like Rails-React or ActionCable guarantees that SaaS products are scalable and efficient as users interact with them. Also, Ruby on Rails meets the demands of bigger projects like CRMs.
MVP and prototypes
The modular architecture of Ruby on Rails makes it easy to make changes to an app without disrupting other parts. This saves time and expense during development.
Mobile backend
Ruby on Rails is excellent at creating backend REST services. Also, adding authentication is very easy. The rapid development pace, coupled with Ruby's flexibility with various database systems, makes Ruby on Rails suitable for mobile apps' backend infrastructure.
Educational platforms
With Ruby on Rails, developers get access to gems that allow the development of sophisticated functions. At the same time, its MVC architecture facilitates the development of highly interactive and responsive websites. Such attributes form a solid foundation for platforms that require interactive features and tools for monitoring performance and progress, like educational platforms.
Social media sites
Ruby on Rails' scalability features and modular architecture make it suitable for creating social media websites. This framework offers a great foundation for supporting the needs of a growing user base.
Project management tools
The modular architecture allows developers to customize features to meet specific needs, which is an essential attribute of a project management tool. In addition, Ruby on Rails' Active Record tool simplifies database interactions and ensures efficient management and querying of project data.
AI/ML-powered solutions
Often, Ruby on Rails is considered a tool for simpler projects. However, its capabilities go beyond that. The robust features of this framework allow it to accommodate intricate innovations while its simple syntax streamlines Ruby app development. Also, several Ruby gems provide ready-to-use code appropriate for integrating AI and IoT functions.
Is Ruby on Rails relevant today?
Absolutely. Although it is not as trendy as the latest frameworks, Ruby on Rails still has its place in the production environment. It is especially popular in SaaS, publishing, and e-commerce platforms. As indicated earlier, huge companies like Shopify, Netflix, and GitHub still run large-scale Ruby on Rails applications.
The misconception that Ruby on Rails is dead arises from the shift toward JavaScript-based stacks. Ruby on Rails, over the years, has evolved with regular updates, security features, and performance enhancements.
Summary
Despite the misconception, Ruby on Rails is a robust and reliable framework that has stood the test of time. It is no longer a hyped framework, but it is still popular because of its usability and productivity. Over the years, Ruby on Rails' stability, developer-friendly nature, improvements, and rich ecosystem have made it a relevant programming language.
