As for most of the custom software development projects the question of what programming language to use is critical. It can affect the rate of development, its capacity for growth and change, the ease with which it is managed, and, in fact, the success of your software solution. Of the myriad languages used for programming Ruby is arguably among the most preferred for developing application specific unique software. Easy to learn, elegant, and productive, Ruby has been behind some of today’s most successful web applications, such as Airbnb, GitHub, and Shopify.
So in this post let me explain you how and why Ruby is perfectly suitable for custom software development that will directly help in achieving the business objectives effectively.
- Simplicity and Readability
Ruby also sees great value in the clarity and readability of the language which is referred to as syntactically pretty. Ruby is the language which is created while focusing the developmental happiness of developers it is actually the language where code is expressive as English hence the developer finds it easier to write, maintain and even debug. For the business, it implies shorter development cycles and also minimize the possibility of getting things wrong to warrant a redo.
Ruby also does not complicate the process of becoming a developer and since businesses expand their development teams or work with outsourcing companies, the language should not complicate learning. This means that the shorter period an organization takes in training its team members the faster it can develop its product.
Why it matters:
Faster development time: Writing and reading of code that is quick are significant – this is the reason it is easy to build software.
Reduced errors: Due to simplicity, the likelihood of errors and bugs is limited, which is rather critical in such applications.
- Quick Development Using Ruby on Rails
When used with Ruby on Rails framework, ruby has one of the fastest cycle for developing web based applications. Working on Rails, developers follow two essential principles: Convention over Configuration and Don’t Repeat Yourself.
It means that Rails offer opinions on how certain aspects should be built and breaks it up into small decisions which helps reduce the work one has to do to make the architecture.
The Don’t Repeat Yourself principle makes programmers avoid writing the same code again and again and try to use a piece of existing code every time instead.
Rails also has large and rich set of included tools and libraries which makes development much faster, from the managing of database changes to storing of logins and passwords.
Why it matters:
Faster time to market: Ruby on Rails is ideal for quick prototyping and deploying web applications in the shortest time possible.
Cost-effective development: Fewer numbers of line codes as well as more number of reusable components can be reduced the cost and time to a greater extent.
- Instant Growth Solutions for Expanding Industries
What do you mean Ruby is ‘slow’ sometimes, Ruby on Rails has developed scalability for large applications now. Large corporations such as GitHub and Shopify rely on Ruby on Rails to serve the large volumes of their users. Though Ruby may not be as optimum as some compiled languages out there, Rails only blows up when handling scalability issues due to integration with caching mechanisms, background jobs, and a variety of load balancing options.
Moreover, Heroku and AWS cloud platforms are the primary platforms compatible with Ruby on Rails acquired and accessible scalability with the purpose of simple infrastructure management.
Why it matters:
Handle more users: Where your business evolves and your custom software needs to support additional users, Ruby guarantees that your application can handle the increased load without significant deterioration of the work.
Flexible scaling: It’s also relatively easy to scale horizontally, by adding more servers at will or vertically where resources are enhanced on a server.
- That’s right, ladies and gentlemen; tons of gems and libraries flourish around us.
Ruby has a very strong open source initiative and there are thousands of libraries of pre-coded portions of application known as gems available for use in Ruby applications. Today, there’s a gem for almost everything; authentication, payment processing, SEO optimization, integration with third-party applications and services. This versatility allows developers to point to a well-developed solution rather than having to develop tricks from scratch to make bespoke software development more efficient.
Some popular gems include:
Devise for authentication
Stripe for payments
Active Admin used for development of admin panel/ dashboard.
Why it matters:
Accelerate development: The use of Pre-built gems makes it easier to implement feature since the middle ware is already done thus saving on time and resources.
No need to reinvent the wheel: Maximize the potential of crowd-sourcing to know basic issues, and let you solve more distinctive business concerns.
- Scalability and Long Term End User Commitment
Custom software cannot be developed only once and then forgotten; it has to be supported over a period as it may be needed to fix certain bugs, add some new features or to redesign it as a result of changes in business requirements that the software has to respond to. This is because Ruby’s syntax does not complicate the flow and all the new programs can be added without causing many problems to the overall software. Rails largely respect conventions so as project grows or changes, it is easy to onboard new developers.
Compared to other software, Ruby is an open-source programming language which has an active community dedicated to its development who ensures that your custom software is updated and safe from different security threats.
Why it matters:
Easier updates: Compared to other applications, Ruby application is therefore easier to maintain and update because the code is properly arranged and written in simple language while its conventions are well stated.
Security and stability: Keeping your software current by installing updates as well as security fixes are good to use to make your software live longer.
- Adaptability and Cost Efficiency for Outsourced Products
Since Ruby is about minimizing the time and efforts required in development, companies can develop bespoke software more affordably than where standard off-shelf solutions could suffice. This is especially crucial for start-ups and other small businesses willing to design unique software solutions without investing heavily into it. Rails especially hold the principle of DRY – Don’t Repeat Yourself which means that there is not much work is repeated, to run Ruby as a business language is economic sense for businesses of all types and sizes.
Also, since Ruby is opensource there is no need to pay for a license so the cost of development for a project becomes more straightforward.
Why it matters:
Lower total cost of ownership: Involved benefits include increased functionality with less time and effort required for development and maintenance, which consequently limit the expenditure of your firm.
Affordable custom solutions: Ruby enables businesses obtain the necessary functionality at a fraction of the normal price that accompanies custom coding.
- Solid developers base and support system
Ruby has one of the most vibrant and friendly developer bases anywhere in the world. Ruby is perhaps one of the most supported languages on the internet when it comes to various forms of developers assistance; be it a business seeking to employ Ruby developers or an experienced developer looking to ask questions or seek answers; there are various resources, forums, blogs, and open source contributions among others that are available to assist in the solution of any problem. Getting back to the topic, there are so many communities, such as Stack Overflow, RubyGems, and RailsCasts, so developers do not have to struggle for days or weeks to address the emerging problems and proceed with the work
Why it matters:
Problem-solving: They experience an active community, where solutions to all types of (complex and simple) problems are easy to find.
Talent pool: Because there are many Ruby experts, it is not difficult to find personnel who can create your unique application.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
Ruby is a platform independent scripting language and Ruby on Rails are also platform independent so you can now make applications that should run anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you are installing your app on Linux, macOS, or Windows, Ruby on Rails will perform the same. This cross-platform experience is also present through cloud hosting and services such as Heroku, AWS, and Digital Ocean as user’s application can easily be deployed through this language.
Why it matters:
Flexibility in deployment: You be able to select the best environment of deployment of your business systems without the problem of compatibility.
Seamless hosting: Deploy open and portable Ruby application across different cloud providers without being trapped to a certain provider.
Conclusion
Ruby is the best language for implementing a bespoke software solution as it is simple, fast, and highly scalable, as well as that it has a robust community. Ruby is an excellent language to work with whether you are a small business who wants to create a web application or a giant company that needs a powerful and scalable solution — Ruby has all the necessary tools and options to offer in this case, primarily linked with Ruby on Rails.
The advantages of Ruby – speed of development and meetings of maintenance, community endorsement, and cost-efficiency – make Ruby the ideal tool with which businesses can build new custom software which will be functional, elastic, and economical for the long term.
The moment you actually think about ruby fro your next project you are in good company. Its potential has already been mastered by many successful organisations to develop uniquely effective and high-quality software. It could well be the ideal language to communicate your custom software idea and watch it become a reality.