Since its public release in 1995, Ruby has continued to gain popularity among computer programmers; especially in web application development field. Ruby was developed in Japan by Yukihiro Matsumoto (a.k.a. Matz), a computer scientist and software programmer. Ruby was created to emphasize on human understandability and applications rather than on computer-focused programming approach. Because of this, it has gained huge appreciation from programmers and developers all across the world. It is a fun language to learn and certainly ranks among the top ten programming languages today.
Ruby is a dynamic, purely object-oriented, general-purpose programming language. Its application varies from building simple command-line tools to building software and web application programs. With its clean and simple syntax programming, it is easier to program using Ruby. A technique called metaprogramming is an important property of the language. It is a property that allows a Ruby program to use another Ruby program as a data and modify them and itself in the process; which really shows the dynamicity of the Ruby language.
Best Popular Ruby Frameworks for Developers
Ruby is widely used in web development to create full-featured robust web applications. The use of Ruby in other fields such as software development is getting relatively low because of the advantages of other high-level languages such as Java and C#. But its application in web development holds a strong ground. Various web frameworks have been developed for easy implementation of Ruby in the web. These frameworks help to easily integrate Ruby with other components of the web such as front-end components and network components. Ruby has some wonderful frameworks that help developers to build applications and save lots of time.
Following are some of the best Ruby Frameworks available for web development.
Ruby on Rails – A Web Application Framework
Ruby on Rails is a full-stack, server-side web framework used for developing high end, robust web applications. It is the most popular Ruby framework. It follows the MVC (Mode View Controller) architecture and emphasizes the Convention over Configuration (CoC) and the Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) principles. Ruby on Rails is used to develop high-end multitasking web applications.
Hanami – The Web, With Simplicity
Another full-stack MVC framework is Hanami (previously Lotus). It is lightweight, reliable and fast. With its simplicity and a different approach to MVC, it is certainly among the best frameworks for Ruby. However, use of this framework is not suitable for large scale web applications.
Sinatra
Sinatra (named after the musician Frank Sinatra) is a small and flexible, non-MVC Ruby micro-framework. It is a library rather than a full-stack framework. The goal of Sinatra is to create web applications with less code and minimal effort. Unlike full-stack frameworks such as Rails, Sinatra is ideal for developing small applications and websites. And because it is small, it is more stable.
Padrino – The Elegant Ruby Web Framework
It is a Ruby framework based on the Sinatra library. Padrino expands on the Sinatra library through the addition of standard libraries, and adds extra functionalities for creating complex web applications.
Volt Framework
Volt is a Ruby framework designed to work on both the client and server side. It is able to convert Ruby code into JavaScript code using the Opal compiler; thus, eliminating almost all JavaScript coding. Volt also offers real-time synchronization between the server-side and the client-side, making it a highly reactive framework.
Grape – An Framework for Creating REST-like APIs in Ruby
Source
Pakyow – A Realtime Web Framework for Ruby
Source
Ramaze – The Web Framework for Rubyists
Source
Cuba – Ruby Microframework for Web Development
Source
Nancy – Minimal Ruby Microframework
Source
Camping – A Micro Web Framework
Source
Scorched – Light-weight Ruby Web Framework
Source
Crepe – The Thin API Stack
Cramp – Real Time Web Application Framework in Ruby
Source
NYNY – Small and Powerful Web Framework
Source
Celluloid – Actor Based Concurrent Object Framework for Ruby
Source
Ramverk – The Ruby Web Application Framework
Source
Hobbit – A Microframework Built on Top of Rack
Merb – Fast, Simple, Powerful Web Development Framework
Source
Hobo Central
Source
Brooklyn – Small Web Tool on top of Rack
Source
Rum
Source
Roda – Routing Tree Web Toolkit
Source
Praxis
Source
In conclusion, the use of a particular framework usually depends on the type and need of the project. Every framework is different and provides some functions that the others don’t. While Rails is the most popular framework of them all, it is not suitable for smaller and simpler applications. In such case, use of Hanami or Sinatra would be a better choice. Conversely, for large, full-featured applications, Rails would be the best choice. All in all, they make web development easier and a lot more fun and exciting.