The demand for Ruby developers is continuing to stay steady as it continues to get updates and remains in use by a lot of major companies. A lot of aspiring developers and professional engineers prioritize learning Ruby and Ruby on Rails. This article delves into how one can learn to become a Ruby developer.
Many top companies utilize Ruby, which is why it continues to be popular. Companies like, Github, Shopify,, etc. use Ruby and its framework in their technologies.
In this article, we’ve put together the best ways to learn how to program in Ruby.
Your adventure toward web development can now begin. Let’s start with an essential question.
What is the difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails?
Ruby is an object-oriented, general-purpose programming language that is open source. Ruby on Rails, on the other hand, is an open-source framework used for web development.
What is Ruby?
Ruby is an open-source, mostly interpreted programming language which balances functional programming with imperative programming. Ruby is known as a general-purpose language because it is used to create almost any type of application across a wide range of domains.
Ruby is additionally cost-free with its content being its greatest asset.
The foundation of OOP is the concept of objects with data-storing capability. Assigning properties and methods to objects makes sense when a part of the code needs to be understood in terms of actual, observable objects.
Why is it worth paying attention to Ruby?
GitHub, Airbnb, Ask.fm, SlideShare, Zendesk, Groupon, and Shopify are examples of large international companies that use Ruby on Rails as a framework. Ruby’s high development speed allows you to deliver projects effectively.
Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails is largely responsible for Ruby’s growing popularity. The Ruby on Rails framework is used to create web applications. Because it is server-side, most of the processing happens on the web server rather than on the client side.
Ruby on Rails is built on the package library RubyGem, which is a collection of libraries that accelerate the development of websites. These libraries give programmers a variety of ready-made options for creating menus, forms, tables, and other types of web content.
The principle of “convention above configuration” is one of Ruby’s main tenets.
What does “convention over configuration” mean? It is an approach to software development whereby programs are developed according to typical programming standards and conventions as opposed to an approach that is defined by configurations done by a programmer.
Configuration refers to the hard work of setting up files to control the many settings of a website.
Ruby on Rails likes conventions because they take care of many of the settings that a web application needs by default. The developer just needs to configure unusual files in this case.
Today, most people think that Ruby on Rails is old and no longer used. However, Ruby on Rails is required to run a number of well-known websites. Just a few of the titles that ought to get people’s attention include Twitter, Hulu, and Urban Dictionary.
Who is a Ruby Developer, What Do They Do?
A back-end software developer can be a Ruby developer. The user’s side of the screen is not where back-end developers are at work. But Ruby programming is an important part of a multitude of web applications and has a big effect on how these applications work.
By association, back-end developers and front-end developers must collaborate closely to ensure that the user interface (UI) on the client side can seamlessly connect with the user experience (UX) functions that take place in the background.
Some Ruby developers may also be in charge of building the databases and libraries that will support an application and make sure they work when a user enters data.
Because of its growth, more Ruby developers are using the Ruby on Rails framework to make web apps.
Ruby on Rails programmers can make web applications, keep them up-to-date, or add new elements to them. For the purpose of executing web applications, they write server-side logic.
The Advantages of Using Ruby
From the standpoint of a developer, Ruby is quite resourceful. There are several advantages of using Ruby.
Ruby is Free
You can copy, use, and change Ruby without giving your wallet a second thought. This means that, for experienced engineers, using Ruby to meet your company’s needs is not at all challenging.
Ruby is Simple
Ruby is used by beginners because it is simple to learn. It is expressive and helpfully matches the English language. Ruby is a dynamic programming language that does away with rigid rules to make programming less stressful.
Ruby is Fast
Most software developers agree that Ruby is one of the fastest programming languages, though they don’t know why. When it comes to Ruby on Rails, this most likely has to do with dynamic typing and convention over configuration.
Metaprogramming and Ruby
Ruby offers metaprogramming support. Predictive text is the software engineering equivalent of metaprogramming. When a language metaprograms, it examines your code before or during the writing process and then, as best it can, writes the code by itself.
Ruby is an Object-Oriented Programming Language
Object-oriented programming gives developers a helpful form of modularity that makes writing and fixing bugs easier to do naturally. OOP’s inheritance and polymorphism traits strengthen its usefulness.
By using inheritance, different objects can use the same code because their traits are set by their class. For instance, both a Toyota and a Ford will have access to the drive function under the automobile category so you won’t have to define it must. Apple times for each car type.
Polymorphism means that objects can take on a single function and do it in different ways.
However, you can override a function’s base components using polymorphism. Theoretically, a car like the performance-oriented Ford could be programmed to go faster.
Companies Who Use Ruby or Ruby on Rails
Here are the names of a few famous companies that use Ruby on Rails:
FAQ: Is it easy to learn Ruby on Rails?
That is probably the most common and curious question for those who are considering starting to learn Rails. The answer is yes, it is.
The web application framework Ruby on Rails is built with the Ruby programming language. Rails are strongly related to Ruby. So, yes, knowing Ruby is very helpful if you want to become a Ruby on Rails developer, and you should learn it before you start learning about the Rails framework. The next stages of coding and learning about Ruby on Rails will show you how useful knowledge of Ruby is.
Ruby on Rails is popular with people who are just starting out because it is known as one of the easiest frameworks to learn. Another important benefit is that Stack Overflow has answers to a wide range of problems. That means you are not left alone in the Ruby on Rails web development world.
What makes Ruby on Rails unique is that it covers the front and back end essentially overlapping with the work of full-stack developers. Nevertheless, we recommend you get familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript first. Why? Those are technologies you need to learn to become a front-end developer. During your training, you will learn that you need to know how to use front-end programming languages to master the beginner level of Rails.
How to Learn Ruby on Rails
Have you decided to learn the Ruby on Rails web development framework? Great! Let’s find out the best method that can help you in this pursuit. The list below also includes sources that will allow you to stay up-to-date with Ruby on Rails news.
On-campus or online education
You can choose between stationary or online schools and different forms (daily, weekly, or evening). It is up to you whether you prefer learning in a completely traditional setting or not. However, learning with a group of people with the same learning goals can be motivational. On the other hand, professional online schools are more available, flexible, and comfortable. Such schools and learning platforms achieved significant popularity during COVID times. Many of the “brick and mortar” schools also have online and distance learning programs. A huge advantage of choosing a code school is the teacher’s support. You will probably have questions about coding, so it’s nice to have someone who can give you a proper answer directly.
It is highly recommended that you check to explore online learning programs from Google Cloud and the University of Washington that incorporate Ruby in their courses. You can also look into good Ruby coding bootcamps if such a learning approach suits your needs.
Online Training
Online courses are very popular because of the affordable price and the possibility to start learning immediately. Usually, courses share some free lessons, so you can check whether the tutor is good and the lessons are engaging. It is also a safe way to check if programming is for you. If you are thinking seriously about becoming a Ruby on Rails Developer, we recommend you invest money and find a professional online course rather than looking for some free knowledge. The reason is simple. Paid courses give quality and are regularly updated.
Online courses recommended by our Ruby on Rails developers
Udemy: Dissecting Ruby on Rails 5-Become a Professional Developer
Udemy: The Complete Ruby on Rails Developer’s Course
LinkedIn Learning: Ruby on Rails 5, Essential Training
LinkedIn Learning: Ruby On Rails: Get More From ActiveRecord
LinkedIn Learning: Ruby: Testing with RSpec
Our Ruby on Rails developers still willingly pick up books. It is understandable that you may think that books quickly become outdated, but it is not entirely true. Even though technology changes quickly, books can teach you the basics, best practices, and how to think like a Ruby on Rails ninja. Also, no amount of lectures, YouTube videos, or notes are able to deliver the kind of knowledge that reading does.
The following are the 5 best books for learning Ruby on Rails.
Michael Hartl also has conferences on YouTube that are worth giving a watch if you are serious about learning Ruby.
Helpful links
Official Ruby on Rails website Discussions on Ruby on Rails Contributing to Ruby on Rails GitHub Rails Contributions The Ruby on Rails StackOverflow Q&A tag Reddit for Ruby on Rails enthusiasts The community of Ruby on Rails developers on Slack
Mentorship is one of the best ways to enter the IT world and become a developer. It can have a massive impact on the speed and quality of learning Rails. Most mentoring programs last between 3 and 4 months. During that time, a dedicated expert will explain the learning path, check on progress, and offer support. Unfortunately, getting into that kind, of course, is not so easy because of the high number of applicants.
Learn Ruby From YouTube Channels
YouTube offers a lot of free video tutorials about the Ruby programming language. Video education that shows step-by-step instruction could be essential for beginners. Of course, more advanced tutorials are also available. The only thing you need to be careful about is the quality of your knowledge. As the entry barrier is quite low and anyone can upload a video, it is worthwhile to follow only reliable creators.
Two detailed videos on learning Ruby programming can be found on the following links.
Masterclass | Ruby Programming in 1 video | Beginners Ruby HandsOn Crash Course by Automation Step by Step
FAQ: How long does it take to learn Ruby on Rails?
Reasons to Hire a Ruby Developer
If you choose to use Ruby to create your app, you’ll have a wide selection of developers and a range of expertise to choose from.
Because Ruby is open-source, programmers can modify it to meet your requirements. Additionally, Ruby is free, so this won’t even be remotely expensive.
Another trait of Ruby is its emphasis on a bug-free environment. Ruby programmers may thoroughly test your application to ensure there are no surprises later on.
The act of marketing your products is one-half of running a business. If you are aware of this fact, you are aware that you will require a website in order to publicize yourself. Developers of Ruby on Rails will be able to make valuable contributions in this regard.
Conclusion
Your mode of education depends on your level of skills and the learning flexibility that you are looking for. A beginner will probably choose an online course or code school, while an experienced developer will enjoy listening to podcasts or watching YouTube tutorials about a specific Ruby on Rails problem. In the first step, we advise you to describe your current abilities honestly.
If you are just starting out, you should choose a source of education that also lets you learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is beneficial to learn in English because Ruby syntax is pretty similar to English, and you’ll become more attractive to a future employer.
Are Ruby developers in demand?
Ruby is still in high demand when it comes to prototypes and MVPs. The decline in Ruby on Rails’s popularity is more a result of competition than obsolescence.
Is Ruby good for freelancing?
Ruby and all of its web frameworks, like Rails, Merb, and Sinatra, are great ways to offer freelance web development services, whether it’s in an IRC chat room or a big conference. Ruby focuses on clean code, syntax that is based on objects, good development processes, and a strong community.
Is Ruby worth learning in 2022?
Ruby will continue to be important for a few more years beyond 2022. It is an easy-to-use framework for making MVPs, quick prototypes, and any other kind of online app or service. It speeds up the development process and enables quick market entry.
Do companies still code in Ruby?
Ruby has been around for about 18 years, but programmers still use the framework a lot. For individuals who are beginning their careers in software development in 2022, Ruby is much more than simply a fun and simple-to-learn computer language. Some companies that use Ruby on Rails are:
Originally published at https://gaper.io on October 20, 2022.