Is Ruby a Good Language? Why Is It so Unappreciated?
Jakub Jakubowicz
CTO & Co-Founder
Ruby is dead. Ruby has no future. Ruby is a niche programming language. Ruby is not worth it. No developer wants to program in Ruby. Perhaps you have often encountered with such stereotypes. Meanwhile, they have nothing to do with reality. In this article, we will prove why Ruby is the most underappreciated language.
Ruby is undoubtedly one of the most underratedprogramming languages. Although it is not as popular as JavaScript, C# or Python, it still provides a lot of value – both on the client’s and the programmer’s side. So what benefits does Ruby give? Let’s check it out.
Ruby reduces programming time
Ruby is an object-oriented programming language. Thanks to this feature it reduces programming time. It is estimated that Ruby, combined with the Rails framework, allows you to create a basic web application in 30-40% faster than when working in another programming language. This is undoubtedly a big advantage, especially for startups that often base their business model on the MVPproduct.
By using Gems – Ruby extensions, the application development process can be significantly accelerated. In practice, this means that developers can use ready-made code fragments and thus facilitate their work.
Ruby makes work easier for the developer
Ruby allows you to create cleaner files. It supports self-documentation, which means that programmers can save a lot of time. The structure of the code is considered relatively simple and transparent, and the programming itself, as defined by the developers, is both pleasant and comfortable.
Ruby is easily accessible
Ruby is an open source language, which means that anyone can easily access its libraries and developers do not have to bear additional costs.
Ruby is considered a pretty flexible language, as it allows a developer to modify code’s contents at any time. In this way, it does not limit the programmer, who can easily make any changes whenever they want.
Ruby is constantly developing and has an active community
The community of Ruby developers on GitHub is developing dynamically. The network also has a lot of guides and good practices that help develop the Ruby environment. In addition, there is a regular update of the Ruby language and its most popular Rails framework.
Ruby does not create a high barrier to entry
All you need is a short, intensive training to get started in Ruby. Which is not that easy for the other well-known languages.
Ruby ensures safety
Ruby, in combination with the Rails framework, provides mechanisms that affect application security. The built-in protection against such attacks as XSS, CSRF and SQL, which are considered to be among the most popular attacks on web applications, is pretty much helpful.
Summing Up
The article emphasizes the underrated significance of Ruby, an open source programming language<s/trong>, in the sphere of web development. While not as well-known as some popular programming languages such as JavaScript, C# or Python, Ruby continues to offer substantial advantages for both clients and programmers.
Being an object-oriented scripting language, Ruby excels in boosting programmer productivity. It remarkably decreases programming time when coupled with the Rails framework, facilitating the swift creation of web applications. This single-pass, thread-safe scripting language has a compelling appeal, particularly for startups focusing on the MVP product model.
Ruby supports the use of ‘Gems’ – Ruby’s native extensions that dramatically speed up the application development process. These Gems permit developers to utilize pre-existing code segments, simplifying their programming tasks. Many developers treasure these Gems as invaluable assets when programming Ruby.
One of the prominent reasons why Ruby programs are cherished by developers is due to the language’s emphasis on simplicity and readability. Ruby supports self-documenting code, creating cleaner files, and promoting programmer happiness. The instance variable access in Ruby is clear and straightforward, making the code structure relatively simple to understand and enjoyable to write.
As an open source programming language, Ruby is effortlessly accessible to all. Developers can freely access its libraries, hence no additional costs are incurred. Its flexibility is another advantage as it allows for code modification at any point, giving programmers the freedom to make changes as they please.
The Ruby community is thriving, particularly on platforms like GitHub. This enthusiastic community actively contributes to the development and regular updating of Ruby and its Rails framework. Many learning resources and best practices are also available to ensure the server side scripting language is well-understood.
Unlike many other general-purpose languages, Ruby doesn’t present a high entry barrier. A short, intensive training is typically enough to kickstart programming in Ruby. Moreover, Ruby and Rails together guarantee application security with built-in defenses against attacks such as XSS, CSRF, and SQL.
In terms of additional features, Ruby offers pattern matching, singleton methods, and regular expressions, making it a more robust language. Since its public release, there have been three more versions, each enhancing its efficiency and usability.
Finally, the primary purpose of Ruby has always been to make programmers enjoy programming. Its design philosophy places a high emphasis on programmer happiness, making it a simple language that many developers love to write in. Overall, Ruby is not just an underrated gem; it’s a language that brings joy and productivity to the world of coding.