8 Benefits of Using Ruby on Rails for Web Development

It’s safe to say that Ruby on Rails is hot at the moment. But is it just a trend based on a buzzword or is it really a legitimate choice for developing web applications and websites? In this guide, we’re going to give you 8 benefits that set Ruby on Rails apart from the competition.

1. It’s Perfect For Web Technologies

Fits like a glove. Like peas and carrots (Forrest Gump anyone?). Idioms and 90s movie references aside, let’s just say that Ruby on Rails is absolutely ideal for building web applications.

The great thing about it is that you can get a working prototype up and running extremely quickly. Checking the feasibility of a project is made much easier because of this. In addition, cracks in the scope and direction of a web application can be fixed early on in the development cycle.

2. Saves Money

Whether you’re the project lead or the client, no one is going to complain about this one. To put it simply, Ruby on Rails can cut significant chunks out of web project. The framework is 100% free and runs on Linux, which is also open-source. It’s also easy to work with from a developer’s perspective.

If you’ve migrated from ASP and Microsoft Windows we expect a sincere “hallelujah!” from everyone involved. While these are legit options for some projects, they can be prohibitively expensive.

3. Saves Time

In addition to being a cost-saving technology, Ruby on Rails can turn some developers from lumbering sloths to rapid code monkeys. Not only does it allow you to move from the planning stages to actual development very quickly, it’s also easy to handle compared to other technologies.

4. Active and Helpful Community

The most successful and popular web applications are often open-source. Content Management Systems such as Drupal and Wordpress have thriving communities that allow them flourish, and much is the same with Ruby on Rails.

The community is full of developers that are constantly improving code and helping others on their projects. This means that if you need a given piece of functionality, there’s every chance that someone else has built something similar before or is willing to help you fix any issues you may have. You’ll still need a capable team to work with the code as it’s not all plug-and-play, but it definitely helps a project move forward.

5. Project Not Handcuffed

You’ve had a fantastic website or application built and everything works as expected. Months (or even years) later, you run into an issue that you didn’t know about or you decide you want to add functionality.

What happens? You find that the company that built the original application no longer exists, or the developers that worked on the project are no longer part of the company. No one knows where the code begins or ends. The result is a painful exercise of expensively rebuilding everything from the ground up, or getting the issues fixed on the original platform at ridiculously inflated costs.

Ruby on Rails, on the other hand, follows coding conventions that make it simple to go from one developer to the next. It’s clean, it’s easy and everyone uses it. Your hair will be thankful, as you’ll no longer be pulling it.

6. Build Your Own Plug and Play Apps

The beauty of Ruby on Rails is that you can create your own building blocks for plug-and-play functionality. Now, it’s on as simple as snapping your fingers, but it’s much easier to do it with Ruby on Rails than with any other technology on the market today.

This means that you can take elements of your current custom application and use it in your future projects, instead of having to build the entire thing from scratch. Ruby on Rails allows your apps to be expandable and multi-purpose.

7. The Big Players Use It…

You know that there’s something seriously right about Ruby on Rails when reading the list of companies that currently use it. Let’s have a look at just a small selection:

• Hulu
• Groupon
• LivingSocial
• Twitter
• Basecamp
• Realestate.com.au

All of these companies are not only completely different from one another, but also offer complex functionality and services. What makes it all possible? Ruby on Rails.

8. …But You Can Use it Too

Ruby on Rails is not only ideal for the larger companies, but it’s perfect for startups or local businesses as well. In a web landscape where you need to stand out to make something out of your project, Ruby on Rails allows your web application to break free from the standardization of template solutions at a cost that won’t cripple your bottom line.