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Introduction :
Ruby is an overrated language, with frameworks of weak functionalities and non-practical usage, that ain't worth learning in 2024 as there are many other developing techs rocket-speeding up the pyramid!
But, hold a minute, is that actually true?
Well, the answer is NO, so let me clear the Ruby scene for you so you get why Ruby is one of the good technologies that's worth your time and effort if you are into it!!
Generals on Ruby :
First, let's get a clear general idea about Ruby language...
What's Ruby as a programming language?
Ruby is a dynamic, object-oriented programming language known for its simplicity, flexibility, and productivity. It was created in the mid-1990s by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto in Japan. Ruby draws inspiration from several languages, including Perl, Smalltalk, Eiffel, Ada, and Lisp.
Major features and characteristics :
Dynamic Typing:
Ruby is dynamically typed, meaning you don't have to declare the type of a variable. The interpreter determines the type at runtime.
Object-Oriented:
Everything in Ruby is an object, even the class, which is an object of the class Class. This means it supports OOP principles like classes, inheritance, and polymorphism.
Clean and Elegant Syntax:
Ruby prides itself on having a clean and intuitive syntax, which makes it easy to read and write code.
Garbage Collection:
It has automatic memory management, which means you don't need to manually manage memory allocation and deallocation.
Rich Standard Library:
Comes with a comprehensive standard library that provides a wide range of modules and classes for tasks like file I/O, networking, and working with data structures.
Dynamic Code Execution:
Ruby allows you to execute code dynamically at runtime, which enables features like metaprogramming.
Metaprogramming:
Ruby's flexibility allows for powerful metaprogramming techniques. This means you can write code that can modify its own structure or behavior.
Mixins:
It supports mixins, a way to share behavior between classes without using traditional inheritance.
Community and Ecosystem:
It by has a vibrant and active community of developers. There's also a rich ecosystem of libraries and gems (packages) available through the RubyGems package manager.
Cross-Platform:
Ruby is a cross-platform language, which means you can write code on one operating system and run it on another without significant modifications!
What can I develop with Ruby?
Ruby is a solid language that allows you to involve it in various aspects of development and software building, among which are the following development sectors :
Web Applications:
Possible with its powerful framework Ruby on Rails, which is is one of the most popular web application frameworks, known for its speed and ease of development. It's used by companies like Airbnb, GitHub, Fiverr, and Shopify.
Command-Line Tools:
Ruby is excellent for creating command-line applications. It's known for its concise and readable syntax, making it a good choice for tasks like scripting and automation.
Scripting:
It's also a powerful scripting language, which means it's great for writing scripts to automate tasks, process data, or perform system administration.
Desktop Applications:
Web Servers:
Ruby has built-in capabilities to create web servers. You can use libraries like WEBrick or develop custom servers for specific needs.
Game Development:
While not as common as languages like C++ or Python for game development, Ruby can be used with libraries like Gosu for creating simple games.
Data Analysis and Visualization:
It's used for data processing and visualization. Libraries like NArray and SciRuby provide tools for scientific computing.
Prototyping and Rapid Development:
Ruby's concise syntax and powerful features make it excellent for creating prototypes and rapidly developing applications.
Network Programming:
It provides libraries for network protocols, making it suitable for tasks like creating network clients and servers.
System Tools:
Ruby can be used to create system tools for tasks like file handling, process management, and system monitoring.
Text Processing and Parsing:
Ruby's REGEX "Regular Expression" support and string manipulation capabilities make it a good choice for text processing tasks.
Middleware and APIs:
Last but not least, Ruby can be used to develop middleware components and APIs that connect different parts of a system!
Ruby's Cons!?
As we so far have covered up the the characteristics, features and the pros of Ruby, let's chit chat a bit about its cons!
Performance:
Compared to lower-level languages like C++ or Go, Ruby can be slower in terms of raw execution speed. This can be a concern for performance-critical applications.
Concurrency and Parallelism:
Ruby's standard implementation (MRI - Matz's Ruby Interpreter) has limitations in handling concurrency and parallelism. While there are alternative implementations like JRuby and Rubinius that improve in this area, it's still not as strong as languages designed with concurrency in mind.
Memory Usage:
Ruby can be memory-intensive, which may not be suitable for projects with strict memory constraints or large-scale applications.
Global Interpreter Lock (GIL):
The GIL in MRI can limit the ability to fully utilize multi-core processors, which can affect performance in heavily concurrent applications.
Learning Curve for Complex Applications:
While Ruby is known for its elegant and readable syntax, complex applications may require a deep understanding of advanced Ruby features and design patterns, which can have a steeper learning curve.
Availability of Libraries and Tools:
While Ruby's ecosystem is robust, it may not be as extensive as languages like Python or JavaScript, especially in niche or specialized domains.
Limited Mobile Development Support:
Ruby is not commonly used for mobile app development, so if your project involves mobile applications, you may need to look at other languages or frameworks.
Deployment and Hosting:
While Ruby applications can be deployed on various platforms, setting up a Ruby environment might require more configuration compared to languages with more standardized deployment procedures.
Community and Support:
While Ruby has an active and passionate community, it may not be as large as communities around some other languages, which could affect the availability of resources, tutorials, or support.
Less Popularity in Some Domains:
In certain specialized domains like scientific computing or systems programming, Ruby may not be the first choice due to a lack of specialized libraries or tools.
Ruby's Frameworks :
Ruby on Rails (Rails):
As web application framework, Rails is one of the most well-known and widely used web application frameworks. It emphasizes convention over configuration, which means it provides a set of default conventions that make it easier for developers to build web applications quickly.
Sinatra is a Micro-framework for web applications, it's a lightweight and minimalistic web framework that's ideal for building small web applications and APIs. It provides just enough structure to get an application up and running quickly.
Hanami (formerly Lotus):
A modern Full-stack web application framework that promotes clean architecture and object-oriented design. It's designed to be modular, allowing developers to use individual components independently.
Other Ruby micro/frameworks :
Usage: Micro-framework for web applications.
Description: It's an extremely lightweight web framework that focuses on simplicity and minimalism. It's suitable for small applications and prototypes.
Usage: Web application framework (built on top of Sinatra).
Description: It extends Sinatra with additional features and conventions, providing a more comprehensive framework for building web applications.
Cuba:
Usage: Micro-framework for web applications.
Description: A small and flexible framework that follows the philosophy of "do one thing and do it well". It's suitable for building APIs and small web applications.
Nancy:
Usage: Micro-framework for web applications.
Description: Nancy is a lightweight framework inspired by Sinatra, designed for building small web applications and APIs in a clean and straightforward manner.
Usage: Micro-framework for building APIs.
Description: It's a framework specifically designed for creating RESTful APIs. It's known for its simplicity and ease of use in building robust API endpoints.
Roda:
Usage: Web application framework.
Description: A versatile and performance-focused web framework. It's designed to be flexible and allow developers to use only the components they need.
Usage: Architecture for building web applications.
Description: It's more of an architectural framework that provides guidelines and conventions for structuring web applications. It promotes clean, modular, and well-organized code.
Ruby among the top paying technologies :
In the StackOverFlow's 2023 surveys report, Ruby ranked 5th on the top paying technologies for the year 2023, away ahead from other recently rocketing technologies like Go, Typescript, C#, C++ and others...
So financially, Ruby is a good option to go for, yet it's crucial to consider the other factors, like the field demand for the tech, the competition rate, and the tech's community which makes the learning journey either easier, or more challenging.
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Would I start learning Ruby again if I had the choice?
It's been absolutely a short journey for me with Ruby, as currently I'm studying Ruby On Rails framework, yet I find it pretty interesting, although I ain't sure weather it's going to be the framework I will stick to for the rest of the journey.
In general, Ruby is a pretty easy to understand, human-friendly language, furthermore its framework ROR seems fun so far & chilly working with, yet the issue I 'm facing so far is the lack of good learning sources on various topics regarding the framework itself, Ruby language or the gems used in development!
So overall, yes I would absolutely give Ruby a shot again, as away from the lack of sources, I ain't faced any major problems with the language or the framework so far.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Ruby emerges as a dynamic and versatile programming language, celebrated for its simplicity, flexibility, and productivity. From its clean and elegant syntax to the support for dynamic code execution and metaprogramming, Ruby offers a rich set of features that appeal to developers across various domains.!
Adding to that the fact that the language's applications span a wide spectrum, from web development using the powerful Ruby on Rails framework to scripting, command-line tools, desktop applications, game development, data analysis, and more. However, it's essential to acknowledge that, like any technology, Ruby is not without its challenges.