Ruby on Rails (RoR or Rails) is an open-source web application framework based from the Ruby programming language. It is a framework which utilizes convention over configuration, meaning it decreases the choices needed to be made by the developer.

Rails also follows the MVC architectural pattern, allowing for developers and designers to easily work alongside one another.  Although, in most cases, the designer would still require some knowledge of the Ruby language. Continuing with patterns, Rails also sports the ActiveRecord base for use with its models, creating objects from your database fields. This provides a simple way to create, update and destroy records without dealing with SQL.

While Rails, when used properly, can be a very powerful tool, there are also some disputed downfalls of it. Scalability has been a topic with Rails for a while and on many occasions has been proven a negative. While I cannot provide much insight into the actual truth of this, I do think Twitter is a prime example of a large system able to run on Rails as well as all of the 37signals products. Also if not properly managed, there have been reports of Ruby servers using copious amounts of memory due to the system’s constant runtime.

All of these factors considered, I believe the ease of use of Rails speaks above all. Having the potential to create web applications without starting from scratch is always a plus and having the added help Rails provides is even better. While it isn’t best suited for every project, it does offer a great view of how fun programming can be.

To learn more about rails and learn to build a basic blog in twenty minutes, visit rubyonrails.org