Is Ruby on Rails Dead: A Final Verdict

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Introduction

Ruby on Rails, also known as Rails, was established in 2004 by David Heinemeier Hansson. It is an open-source framework that follows the Model-View-Controller architecture and chooses convention over configuration. RoR is object-oriented programming that provides dynamic features like action views, built-in testing, active records, scaffolding, and action dispatch.

In fact, Ruby on Rails is licensed under MIT and ranked among the top application frameworks. Rails has also been praised for its simplicity and ability to build robust web applications quickly, becoming a game-changer for several industries. However, as newer technologies emerged, questions arose about its dominance.

It also emphasizes that it is still relevant or is losing its sparks among the emerging technologies and frameworks. Is Ruby on Rails dead? Well, we will discuss that answer in this blog. Let’s understand its core to know about the current scenario of RoR in the technology industry.

A Critical Evolution of Ruby on Rails

As we can see, Ruby on Rails demand has fluctuated. Although it is still popular, it is not at the top.

Let’s understand it through another report from the TIOBE Index survey. It was ranked the top language in 2006; however, fluctuations have occurred. If we compare it to last year’s ranking and demand, Ruby on Rails’ popularity has indeed increased. Its new features and advancement have played a crucial role in it.

But where do all these rumors about Ruby losing its demand come from? Well, as seen in the above graph, Ruby on Rails’s preference declined somewhat over the last few years.

Is Ruby on Rails Dead? Reasons Behind Decline

Despite being one of the most widely used frameworks for building applications, Ruby on Rails has sometimes been considered “dead.” However, this is not entirely true. While it has faced some ups and downs due to increased competition, it hasn’t disappeared completely.

Although its usage has decreased from its peak, there’s no sign of it fading completely. The main reasons behind the decline are competition and the changing development trends of modern frameworks. Let’s understand the reasons for the drop in popularity and the factors affecting Ruby on Rails’ chances of remaining among the top frameworks.

1. Incline of JavaScript

One significant reason for Ruby on Rails’s decline is its slower performance compared to JavaScript frameworks like Node JS and Vue js. Due to that, several developers switched from Ruby on Rails to other frameworks. Moreover, programming languages such as C++ and C take less time than Rails to execute code.

However, Ruby is faster when you write code, enabling you to establish your project within a few months. Hence, Ruby on Rails is quicker in terms of MVP and prototyping but slower in performance. Another reason developers prefer JavaScript is that it allows both frontend and backend developers to use the same language for development.

2. Market Trends

Ruby on Rails offers numerous advantages; however, it fails to cope with multiple new marketing trends, such as microservices, real-time applications, and highly scalable full-stack apps.

RoR is an ideal match for startups but a daunting task for large-scale applications because of its performance limitations, monolithic architecture, and integration of cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, Ruby on Rails does not support large ecosystems and concurrency to develop apps with advanced features.

3. Lack of Scalability

As mentioned above, Ruby on Rails is an excellent option for MVP development, but its limited scalability makes it not ideal for large-scale projects. In fact, Ruby on Rails’s monolithic architecture can be a bottleneck as applications enlarge, leading to issues with load balancing, database optimization, and managing many concurrent users.

Additionally, Rails app performance degrades after certain under heavy traffic, making it challenging to support high-demand applications. As a result, developing and deploying apps has become complex and time-consuming.

4. Advance Technology Integration

With emerging technologies, every company prefers frameworks and tools that can craft modern applications. Ruby on Rails does support innovative solutions and allows you to add advanced features and functionality. However, it is limited due to its monolithic architecture and slower adaptation.

Ruby on Rails offers gems that can help you develop an exceptional application. Nevertheless, because of its serverless architecture, it lags behind when it comes to integrating with top-notch third-party technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, and more.

Ruby on Rails Is Not Dead: 4 Reasons to Consider

After understanding the reasons behind the criticism of Ruby on Rails, let’s break the bubble and dive into the crucial reasons why Ruby on Rails is still a great framework to consider for web applications. Following is the list of debunkings of RoR that are not dead.

? Stable and Secure Framework

Since 2004, Ruby on Rails has undergone several updates and improvements for better performance and advancements. It ensures the address of problems and evolves RoR apps to meet the needs of a modern framework. As a result, it signifies the reliability and security of web development and adaptability to create dynamic applications.

? Developer Friendly

Due to its evolving development, Ruby on Rails solves developers’ concerns and allows them to deliver the results they expect efficiently. Moreover, RoR is designed with Convention over Configuration and Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) principles. This indicates that Rails includes numerous defaults and built-in conventions, enabling your developers to focus on building features rather than on configuration. The principles also boost developer productivity.

? Extensive Ecosystem

Ruby on Rails offers Gems that contain large ecosystems and libraries to add functionality, enabling the development of top-notch web applications. From authentication to API development, the pre-built libraries can assist developers in covering all aspects of web development. Ruby on Rails also supports tools and libraries that automate testing and improve code maintainability and reliability.

? Active Community

Another sign that Ruby on Rails is not dead is the growing and active developer community. Several reports conducted with the Ruby on Rails community show the reality of emerging technologies and RoR. Moreover, numerous Rails contributors offer innovative feedback, updates, and collaboration about new releases, essential changes, and more.

Is Ruby on Rails Still Relevant in 2024?

As the above picture states, thousands of people want to know and understand– Is Ruby on Rails dead? Is it worth learning and relevant for developers to utilize in web applications? Is Ruby programming dead/Is Ruby dead?

Well, according to BuiltWith, 3,775,474 websites were created with Ruby on Rails in 2024. The data clearly indicate that Ruby on Rails is still famous among developers and will not disappear down the lane. For instance, Rails is a great option for developing eCommerce websites because of its friendly approaches.

Also, Ruby on Rails will launch a new version of Rails 8.0 Beta 1, introducing more exciting new features, functionality, and overall enhancement. It will offer improvements, such as no requirement for PaaS, solid cable, dependency reduction, emphasizing SQLite, and much more.

Future of Ruby on Rails

With the speculation of “Is Ruby on Rails dead?” Another question always arises: What does Ruby on Rails hold for web development in the future? Despite the rise of emerging technologies, Ruby on Rails will remain an ideal choice for building MVPs and rapid prototyping. RoR will be an excellent choice for startups and small companies that need to develop appealing products quickly with limited resources.

In addition, its active community ensures to address security patches and updates, making it a secure and reliable platform for long-term projects. In the upcoming years, it will evolve with the front-end technologies and modern frameworks, allowing you to perform seamless integration with tools like Vue js, React, Node js, and others.

As a result, the evolution will help deliver efficient app performance and create magnificent and visually stunning web applications. Moreover, with the continuous change in the web development, Ruby on Rails will maintain its pace by emphasizing simplicity, speed, and adaptability to be the go-to framework for rapid app development.

Real-World Examples of Ruby on Rails

Here is the list of popular companies that have adapted Ruby on Rails to develop robust and scalable applications. Following are the well-known use cases of Ruby on Rails:

• Shopify: The online e-commerce platform utilized RoR to provide a scalable and flexible infrastructure for managing multiple transactions and shopping merchants.
• Airbnb: The popular home rental platform implemented Ruby on Rails to handle property listing, booking, and payments and ensure a seamless user experience for guests and hosts.
• GitHub: The largest software development platform employed RoR to deliver a collaborative environment for developers, version control, code sharing, and project management.
• SoundCloud: The online audio distribution platform utilizes RoR to store different audio and manage sound content with various features and formats worldwide.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which projects used Ruby on Rails for their daily uses?

Ruby on Rails shines in web development when it comes to the following project areas:

• Agile development
• Content management system
• ECommerce

Why do developers think Ruby on Rails dying?

Several developers consider Ruby on Rails slow because other technologies allow you to develop real-time applications and modern features. So,is Rails dead? No, but is limited to a few crucial resources.

Why should I use Ruby on Rails in 2024?

Ruby on Rails offers powerful set of benefits in web development, such as-

• Rapid development
• In-build gems
• MVPs
• Proven track record
• Active community

Can there be another alternative for Ruby on Rails in 2024?

Yes, there are robust alternatives to Ruby on Rails like Django, Node js, and Laravel for developing excellent applications.

Who still uses Ruby on Rails?

Successful companies like GitHub, Basecamp, CrunchBase, Dribble, and Bloomberg utilize Ruby on Rails for web development.