Before diving deep into Ruby on Rails, it is worth getting to know a little more about Ruby.
Ruby is a general-purpose, open-source programming language used for a variety of tasks including data processing, automation, and web development.
Ruby on Rails (Rails or RoR) is an open-source web development framework that allows businesses to create, deploy, and manage web applications efficiently.
Since it offers businesses a fast, affordable option for developing web applications, Ruby on Rails is often called a "startup technology". By means of pre-built components, a robust and well-known programming language, and a simple-to-use database migration and versioning system, Rails gives businesses all the tools they need to easily and rapidly build web applications.
Stripe, Airbnb, Twitch, GitLab, Coinbase, and more are all of those startups recognized and have one thing in common – they are initially built using Ruby on Rails.
In fact, 16 out of the top 50 Y combinator Software Startups have been using Ruby as a primary development language.
Ruby on Rails is a great choice for a startup as long as it is a powerful, yet simple, web application framework. So here are the main benefits:
Time-efficiency. By utilizing the many pre-made plugins and modules available in Ruby on Rails, developers can save time that would otherwise be spent writing boilerplate code. This enables RoR teams to deliver applications up to 30-40% faster rather than those using alternate programming languages and frameworks.
Cost-effective. Ruby on Rails is open-source and distributed under the MIT license, so there is no cost associated with the framework itself. In addition, gems (libs) provide developers with the ability to easily add features without having to create them from scratch, saving considerable time and effort. Developers are able to find and download free gems from GitHub, a platform that is intended for sharing open-source code.
Scalable. Rails is a framework specifically designed for scalability, with the ability to handle a high volume of traffic and users.
Secure. Rails offers high-level security, with a wide array of built-in mechanisms switched on by default. The Secure Development Lifecycle must be followed by developers to make their apps secure. Furthermore, the large community also assists with security, making it one of the best technologies for building online goods and services due to its security, dynamic apps, and faster process.
Quality. Ruby on Rails is intended to speed up, simplify, and improve development. By using automated testing tools and frameworks. developers can quickly test and debug their code, minimizing the chances of errors.
“Two in One”: Backend & Frontend. Rails enables rapid and more efficient web development, providing a full-stack framework that removes the need for separate teams to work on the backend and frontend, drastically reducing the time and resources required for the development. The codebase is also simplified, removing the need to bridge the gap between backend and frontend components, which in turn can lead to faster development cycles and reduced development costs.
Wide range of features. Ruby on Rails offers a plethora of features out of the box, making it an incredibly powerful and efficient framework for web development. From its elegant and intuitive syntax to its robust set of libraries and tools, Ruby on Rails empowers developers with a comprehensive toolkit to build complex and scalable applications with ease. With features such as ActiveRecord for seamless database integration, ActionController for handling HTTP requests, and ActionView for effortless templating, Ruby on Rails provides a holistic and streamlined development experience. Additionally, Rails' convention-over-configuration principle allows developers to focus on building unique and innovative functionalities rather than getting bogged down in tedious configuration details. Whether it's automated testing, RESTful routing, or built-in security measures, Ruby on Rails truly excels in delivering a rich assortment of features that enhance productivity and enable rapid development.
Well-supported. Rails has an active community of developers who are always willing to offer help and advice to those who might encounter some issues or questions while working on Rails projects.
Since 2015, we've been using Ruby on Rails to build successful startups for our clients. We are passionate about developing with Ruby on Rails since it is a really swift and powerful tool that can give you an edge over your competitors. If you're a startup looking for a technology partner, CleverLabs would be glad to assist you.