Ruby vs Ruby on Rails: Top 6 Differences

These two terms are often confused by people. So we thought we’d write this guide to help make a clear distinction between Ruby vs Ruby on Rails. The main difference is that Ruby is a programming language, while Ruby on Rails is a web application framework built on top of Ruby.

In short, Ruby is more of a general purpose programming language, whereas Ruby on Rails is mainly applied to build database-driven web apps. Big companies use Ruby on Rails extensively in building various applications. Airbnb, GitHub, SlideShare, Dribbble, Bloomberg, CrunchBase, and Shopify (to name a few) have also trusted Ruby on Rails and used it in their applications.

In 2021, Ruby was the 5th most popular programming language, according to GitHub. Ruby is a general purpose language, making it versatile for many types of software development beyond just web applications. The Ruby community is known for its strong support, extensive library ecosystem, and active contributions, which help make Ruby and Ruby on Rails popular choices among developers. To understand why this is such a popular application framework, and how Ruby fits in, it’s important to comprehend the differences between Ruby vs Ruby on Rails.

In this article, we’re going to go in-depth on what each tool does and explain the key differences. By the end of this article, you’ll have a greater understanding of the pros, cons, project use cases and inner workings of Ruby vs Ruby on Rails.

Introduction

Ruby on Rails is a powerful server-side web application framework built using the Ruby programming language, and it has become a cornerstone of modern web development. The Rails framework follows the model-view-controller (MVC) architectural pattern, which helps developers organize code efficiently and maintain a clear separation between data, user interface, and business logic. By providing default structures for databases, web services, and web pages, Ruby on Rails streamlines the development process and enables rapid application development.

One of the standout features of the Rails framework is its emphasis on convention over configuration (CoC) and the don’t repeat yourself (DRY) principle, which minimize repetitive code and simplify configuration. Rails also leverages the active record pattern for seamless database interactions, making it easier to manage data within web applications. The framework supports web standards such as JSON and XML for data transfer, and integrates smoothly with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for building dynamic user interfaces.

Thanks to its robust features and developer-friendly approach, Ruby on Rails has been adopted by many high-profile companies, including Airbnb, GitHub, and Shopify, to power their web applications. Whether you’re building web pages, web services, or full-scale web applications, Ruby on Rails offers a comprehensive toolkit for creating scalable and maintainable solutions.

What is the Ruby programming language?

Ruby programming language was created by Yukihiro Matsumoto 1995, and is an open source, object oriented scripting language designed with simplicity as a core focus, and is known for its ability to build online applications quickly.

Ruby uses a package manager called RubyGems to manage libraries and dependencies, making it easy to extend functionality and integrate third-party code.

On the technical side, Ruby was written in C language and also supports multiple different platforms, like Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix. Ruby’s simplicity and speed has made it a very popular choice amongst web application development professionals, and can also be used on the back end for memory management purposes.

Ruby is distributed under the MIT License, allowing developers to freely use, modify, and distribute the language without licensing restrictions.

Source: GitHub

Ruby is generally thought of as being easier to understand than some other programming languages because it includes dynamic typing, which is more similar to spoken language than other coding languages. If you want to get started with web development, it's highly recommended to learn Ruby as a foundational step.

When comparing JavaScript Ruby and other languages, Ruby stands out for its object-oriented approach and ease of use, making it distinct from JavaScript and Python. Here is the list:

• JRuby

• TruffleRuby

• Rubinius

• Mruby

• IronRuby

• MagLev

• Cardinal

What is Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rails is also an open source development tool, but it is not a scripted language. Rails is used primarily as a web application development framework and is based on the Model View Controller (MVC) architecture. Developers have access to the source code, libraries, and tools, allowing them to freely customize and modify Rails to meet their specific needs.

Model View Controller architecture can separate data structures from User Interface (UI) design, offering different views of data sets andenabling the fast design and deployment of complex projects, as well as ongoing maintenance and support. The use of templates in Rails further accelerates rapid development by providing ready-made structures for common features.

Ruby on Rails consists of a number of different active modules, including:

• Active Record

• Active Support

• Active Model

• Active Resource

• Action Pack

• Action Mailer

• Action Cable (enables real-time features)

This variety of modules provides for a flexible architecture. Rails 5.0.1 introduced new features such as Action Cable and API mode, which streamline API development and enable real-time capabilities in Rails applications.

Ruby and Ruby on Rails sound similar because Ruby on Rails was programmed in Ruby and then released to the public in 2005, 10 years after Ruby.

Ruby on Rails is mostly used for building web applications and server side scripting, but it can also be used to develop interface scripts. Ruby on Rails has become popular with developers for a number of reasons, including:

• Ability to write HTML code

• Easy database connectivity

• Effective app development

Rails helps to simplify the web development process because it removes the need for developers to write the same lines of code over and over again, encouraging the use of default convention over configuration (COC), which allows developers to write the code line once and move on. These DRY and CoC principles help developers write less code and save time during development.

Ruby and Ruby on Rails can be used in conjunction - many apps or projects make use of Ruby on Rails to enhance the effectiveness and capabilities of Ruby, making the programming language more efficient and powerful. Many frameworks in other programming languages have been influenced by the design and features of Rails.

Ruby developers use Rails to build and enhance applications by integrating libraries, gems, and modules, leveraging the robust ecosystem to deliver powerful solutions.

When configuring a Rails project, it is important to manage files such as gemspec files, which contain essential metadata about the application or library, including dependencies and descriptions.

To build a new application, developers typically follow a process that includes creating a rails application or rails project, starting the server, generating controllers, and setting up routes to implement the desired functionality.

Now let’s take a look at the most important differences between Ruby and Ruby on Rails.

The most important differences between Ruby and Ruby on Rails

The differences between these two software tools can be broken down into five different ‘categories’: programming language vs web development framework, project use, development speed & script maintenance, syntax, and flexibility.

Each of these is an important consideration when you start your next project, so it’s important to know how they differ and the pros and cons for each. Ruby is primarily used for back-end development, while JavaScript is typically used for front end development.

1. A foundation vs an add-on

Ruby is an open source, object oriented general-purpose programming language, whereas Ruby on Rails is an open source web development framework.

As a programming language, Ruby has its own ‘syntax' or language, as well as unique rules for its use and application. Programming languages are used to tell a computer what to do and how to execute that function.

Ruby on Rails, however, is not a programming language but a web application development framework. Open source frameworks use scripts written by a wide community of developers, but don't have their own unique syntax or language - instead, Rails uses the Ruby programming language.

Essentially, a web application framework is used to help improve and enhance the capability of programming languages, which means that a Ruby on Rails developer needs to have some knowledge of the Ruby programming language in order to use Ruby on Rails for effective web applications development.

2. A foundation principle

Ruby is based on the principle of user interface design. Matsumoto claimed that the language was designed to increase a developer's productivity and to minimize work.

However, Ruby on Rails was developed on principle of of DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) and COC (Convention over Configuration). DRY means that RoR can recover this information from the database based on the class name. COC means that the unconventional aspects of an application can be specified by developers.

3. Types of projects

As you might expect with different functionalities, Ruby and Ruby on Rails are often used for different types of projects.

While you can't use Ruby on Rails without working knowledge of Ruby, there are still certain projects where it would be beneficial to use Ruby on Rails on top of Ruby, such as web app development projects, where Rails can help simplify code and speed up the overall development process.

It's important to note that while you can develop web apps written in RubyRails is preferable because it makes the process simpler and faster.

Ruby on Rails efficiency also means that it is a good option for the development of minimum viable product (MVP) and prototypes for building web applications.

Meanwhile, Ruby is better if you want to develop desktop applications, which Rails is not geared up to do because it involves server-side scripting which mainly runs on a web server.

3. Deploying time and script maintenance capabilities

Ruby was purposefully designed to be intuitive for its users, an attribute that makes it simpler and more powerful than other object oriented scripted programming languages.

In addition, this enhances the language's development speed and improves script maintenance capabilities. The difference here is that while software development with Ruby is fast, development with Ruby on Rails is even quicker.

As we mentioned above, Ruby on Rails was built on the ‘convention over configuration' principle. Deploying default conventions instead of customized configuration files can save a huge amount of time in the development process, as well as giving your developers more time to focus on the parts of the application that would really benefit from more custom configured features.

Since the majority of an app's development does not require custom configuration files, it's easy to see that big chunks of time can be saved using Rails compared to Ruby, and the use of default conventions makes maintenance easier.

4. Syntax

Another principle on which Ruby on Rails is founded is the ‘DRY' principle: Don't Repeat Yourself.

While Ruby has a simple syntax itself, making it easy to write and maintain, Ruby on Rails syntax simplifies the process even further, eliminating the need for coders to write repeat lines of code, saving time and making for a less cluttered script - this simply syntax further enhances the maintenance capabilities of Ruby on Rails.

Ruby uses a similar syntax to other programs like Perl and Python, whereas Ruby on Rails is similar to Phoenix in Elixir. Ruby includes a number of different syntax features such as, syntax flexibility, garbage collection, reliable typing, inheritance, overloading, exception handling, lexical closures, built-in support, iterators, variable scope, centralized management system, custom dispatch behavior, all of which are able to be implemented on different platforms.

5. Flexibility

As both tools are open source, they both have flexibility as a core feature. However, Rails makes a key enhancement on Ruby by allowing developers to include additional languages in their scripts, such as HTML, Java, CSS and XML code.

These options are not available to developers using Ruby on its own, which perhaps gives Ruby on Rails the edge in terms of flexibility.

Ruby on Rails' flexible architecture allows developers to easily and dynamically develop web applications which truly express the initial design vision.

Learning Curve

The learning curve for Ruby on Rails depends largely on your background in programming languages and web development. For those new to coding, it’s highly recommended to start by learning Ruby, as its clean and intuitive syntax makes it one of the most approachable programming languages. If you're looking for helpful resources, consider reading some of these recommended books for Ruby on Rails developers. Ruby’s object-oriented design helps developers grasp fundamental programming concepts, which are essential for working effectively with the Rails framework.

Once you’re comfortable with Ruby, transitioning to Ruby on Rails introduces additional layers, such as the MVC architecture and the conventions that Rails emphasizes. Understanding how models, views, and controllers interact is crucial for building robust web applications. While the framework’s conventions and built-in tools can accelerate development, mastering Rails requires time, practice, and a solid grasp of web development principles.

For developers with experience in other languages or frameworks, picking up Ruby on Rails can be relatively quick, especially given the wealth of documentation and community support available. With dedication and hands-on experience, most developers find they can start building functional web applications with Rails in a short period, making it a popular choice for those looking to enter the world of web development.

Ruby vs Ruby on Rails: Side-by-side comparison

As we can see, the history of Ruby and Ruby on Rails is intertwined. There would be no Rails without Ruby, but since Ruby on Rails was first designed in 2005, it has become more widely used as a result of the enhancements it makes on certain Ruby features and functions.

The amount of successful companies using Ruby on Rails for their own app development and UI design is testament to how powerful it can be.

However, we've also learned that while Ruby on Rails is slightly more flexible than Ruby in its syntax and speedier in development and dscript maintenance, it is more widely used as a web development framework, rather than for building desktop applications.

Now you know the key differences between Ruby vs Ruby on Rails, you can make a more informed decision and if you're interested in how Ruby on Rails compares to other technologies like Python, check out our Python vs. Ruby on Rails Comparison the next time you decide to start a web app development project.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ruby on Rails stands out as a leading web application framework, empowering developers to build high-quality web applications efficiently. Its focus on simplicity, readability, and convention allows teams to accelerate the web application development process while maintaining code that is easy to scale and maintain. The extensive libraries and active ruby on rails community provide valuable resources and support, making it easier for developers to overcome challenges and implement new features.

While Ruby on Rails may have some performance limitations and a strongly opinionated structure, the benefits it offers—such as rapid development, scalability, and maintainability—make it a top choice for many web projects. By understanding the key differences between Ruby and Ruby on Rails, developers can select the right tools for their needs and deliver robust web applications. With its proven track record, vibrant community, and ongoing evolution, Ruby on Rails continues to be a popular and reliable framework for web application development.