Choosing a programming language can be a daunting task for many developers. There are countless options available, but Ruby continues to attract a loyal following. Why? Ruby is beloved for its readability, elegance, and simplicity. It’s a language that allows developers to write concise and intuitive code, leading to faster and more enjoyable application development.
Why Do People Choose Ruby?
Developers choose Ruby for several compelling reasons:
- Readable and Intuitive Code: Ruby was designed with the goal of maximising code readability. The philosophy that "programming should be enjoyable" best describes this language. Ruby's syntax is close to natural language, making the code easy to understand even for those who aren't experienced programmers.
- Ruby on Rails Framework: One of the most popular tools for rapid web application development, Rails makes building applications simpler with ready-to-use libraries and structures. For many developers, it’s a game-changer that allows quick transition from concept to a working application.
- Active Community: Ruby boasts a large and active ecosystem, meaning plenty of available resources, tutorials, and pre-built solutions. The Ruby community is known for supporting newcomers and actively backing open-source projects.
- Wide Range of Applications: Ruby is used by both startups and large corporations alike. From web applications to DevOps tools, and even automation and testing—Ruby has a broad array of applications.
Examples of Applications Using Ruby
Ruby and Ruby on Rails have been employed to develop many well-known applications, such as:
- Basecamp: A project management tool that became one of the first high-profile Ruby on Rails applications, gaining massive popularity for its simplicity and effectiveness.
- GitHub: A platform for hosting and reviewing code. GitHub has become the collaboration center for millions of developers worldwide.
- Shopify: A popular e-commerce platform enabling entrepreneurs to set up online stores quickly and easily.
- Airbnb: A short-term rental platform that started its journey with Ruby on Rails. This framework helped Airbnb swiftly develop features and scale globally.
- SoundCloud: A music sharing platform that uses Ruby on Rails to handle vast amounts of data and user interactions.
- Hulu: A popular streaming service offering a wide range of movies and TV shows.
- Zendesk: A customer service tool also built using Ruby.
- Hey: A modern email platform created by the makers of Basecamp.
- Dribbble: A social platform for graphic designers and creative professionals to showcase their work.
- Kickstarter: A crowdfunding platform that helps creators gather funds for their projects.
- Heroku: A platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering cloud app hosting.
- Coinbase: A popular cryptocurrency exchange.
- Cookpad: A social recipe-sharing service.
Ruby is NOT Dead!
Every so often, rumours surface in the developer community about the "downfall" of a particular language. However, if you visit isrubydead.com, you’ll quickly see that Ruby is very much alive! With robust community support and new tools like Hotwire, Ruby remains one of the top programming languages. In reality, Ruby is continuously evolving, gaining new technologies that enhance its functionality and performance.
My Journey to Choosing Ruby
My journey with Ruby began quite by accident. While scrolling through Instagram, I came across the profile of @andrzejkrzywda At that time, Andrzej was regularly sharing stories about programming, business, and, of course, Ruby. His insights and enthusiasm piqued my interest.
Andrzej encouraged learning Ruby and offered a course titled "From zero to first application." I decided to give it a shot and enrolled in the course (I'll discuss the course and my learning process in a separate post). This course turned out to be a perfect fit, providing me with solid foundations and guidance on building my first application.
I wanted to create web applications, and Ruby, along with Ruby on Rails, was the ideal tool for that. Thanks to its readable syntax and the powerful capabilities of the Rails framework, I quickly managed to build my first applications, reaffirming my choice. Ruby also allowed me to focus on real business problems, avoiding overly complex technical implementations.
Conclusion
Choosing a programming language always depends on individual needs and goals. For me, Ruby turned out to be the best choice, especially for web application development. The buzz around Hotwire further solidified my belief that Ruby is a language of the future. If you're looking for simplicity, elegance, and powerful tools for building your projects, Ruby is worth a shot.
For me, it was a bullseye, but I'm curious about your opinions!
Do you use Ruby? What are your experiences with this language? Maybe you have other favourite programming languages? Share your thoughts in the comments! Your feedback is invaluable, and I'd love to hear about your experiences and perspectives.
Mati
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