Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails

Imagine this: You’re a business owner managing a growing team, and you’ve decided to develop a custom software application to help streamline your operations. You’ve heard about Ruby and Ruby on Rails but aren’t quite sure what they are or which one will be the right fit for your project. You’re not alone in this. Many employers and managers find themselves navigating these choices as they explore the best tools for their business.

Ruby and Ruby on Rails often get lumped together because they’re closely related, but understanding their differences is essential, especially if you’re planning to build a web application. Think of Ruby as the foundation—a versatile, elegant programming language that developers love for its simplicity. On the other hand, Ruby on Rails is like a prefabricated house built on that foundation, designed specifically to help developers construct web applications quickly and efficiently. Both are incredibly powerful in their own right, but they serve different purposes depending on what you’re trying to achieve.

As someone with limited technical knowledge, you might be wondering why this matters to you. Well, the technology you choose will directly impact how quickly your project gets completed, how scalable your application is, and even how easy it will be to maintain it in the long run.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how Ruby and Ruby on Rails differ and how each can benefit your business.

What is Ruby?

Ruby is a programming language, but calling it that might not paint the full picture. Imagine it as the Swiss Army knife of programming—versatile, simple, and designed to make a developer’s life easier. Created in the mid-1990s by Yukihiro Matsumoto, Ruby was built with one thing in mind: to be a human-friendly programming language. Matsumoto’s goal was to create something that didn’t just work for machines but also made the process of writing code feel natural and intuitive for humans.

So, what does that mean for someone who isn’t a developer? Think of Ruby as the engine behind the scenes of many software applications. It’s known for its readability, meaning that even someone with little coding experience can often glance at Ruby code and get a sense of what it’s doing. For businesses, this means hiring Ruby developers can lead to faster development times and easier communication with non-technical stakeholders.

Ruby is often used for things like automating repetitive tasks, creating prototypes, or even building small to medium-sized applications. For example, you might use Ruby to write scripts that automate data entry or create a simple tool for generating reports.

Its popularity comes from its elegance and flexibility. You’re not boxed into doing things a certain way, which makes it great for rapid prototyping—an important factor for businesses that want to iterate on their product before launch. But it’s important to note that while Ruby itself is powerful, it doesn’t come with everything a developer needs to build a full-fledged web application. That’s where Ruby on Rails comes in.

What is Ruby on Rails?

Now that you understand Ruby as a programming language, let’s dive into Ruby on Rails—often just called Rails. While Ruby is the language, Rails is a framework built on top of Ruby. Think of it like building a house: Ruby is the raw material (the bricks, the wood, etc.), while Rails is the blueprint and the pre-assembled parts that help you build the house faster.

Rails was created in 2004 with one goal: to simplify the process of building web applications. Web development involves a lot of repetitive tasks, like managing databases, handling user input, and setting up security protocols. Rails takes care of much of this for you, offering a “convention over configuration” approach. This means Rails follows best practices automatically, so developers don’t have to make small decisions every step of the way.

For someone with little technical background, the key takeaway is that Rails allows developers to build websites and web applications much faster than they would with just Ruby alone. It comes with built-in solutions for common web development tasks like setting up user accounts, managing databases, and even generating email notifications. In fact, some of the most popular web applications you’ve likely heard of—like GitHub, Shopify, and Basecamp—were built using Ruby on Rails.

This speed and efficiency make Rails particularly appealing to startups or companies that need to build something quickly and get it to market. However, Rails isn’t just for startups; its scalability makes it a solid choice for larger, complex web applications as well.

Key Differences Between Ruby and Ruby on Rails

Now that we’ve explored what Ruby and Ruby on Rails are individually, let’s break down the key differences between them. Understanding these distinctions will help you decide which is the best fit for your business needs, whether you’re building a simple application or a full-fledged web platform.

Purpose

The most fundamental difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails lies in their purpose.

Ruby is a general-purpose programming language. It’s used for all sorts of tasks like automating processes, building command-line tools, or even creating desktop applications. Ruby is flexible and can be adapted to a wide range of projects.

Ruby on Rails is a web development framework. It’s specifically designed to help developers build web applications quickly and efficiently. In other words, while Ruby can be used for almost anything, Rails narrows its focus to web applications​.

Flexibility vs. Structure

Ruby offers a lot of flexibility. Developers have the freedom to write code in various styles, making it adaptable to many different types of projects. This can be great for businesses that need custom solutions or want to create something that doesn’t follow a typical template.

Rails, on the other hand, thrives on structure. It follows a strict set of conventions (often called Convention over Configuration) that help developers move faster by reducing the number of decisions they need to make. This structured approach makes it ideal for businesses that want their web application built quickly and according to best practices.

Speed and Efficiency

Ruby is known for its simplicity, but building a full web application using only Ruby would require a lot of manual setup. Developers would need to write code for things like database management, user authentication, and security from scratch.

Rails simplifies all of that. It comes with built-in tools that handle common tasks for developers, allowing them to focus on what makes your application unique. For example, instead of writing dozens of lines of code to connect a website to a database, Rails offers ready-made solutions, enabling developers to launch your project faster

Libraries vs. Framework

Ruby uses what are called gems, which are small libraries or extensions that developers can add to their projects to enhance functionality. While these gems are powerful, developers need to know which ones to add and how to configure them to meet the project’s needs.

Rails, on the other hand, is a full framework. This means it not only uses Ruby gems but also includes many pre-configured gems and tools that make web development easier. For example, a typical Rails project might come with gems for handling user logins, databases, and email notifications already set up.

Use Cases

Ruby is best suited for general programming tasks like scripting, prototyping, or building automation tools. You might choose Ruby if your project doesn’t necessarily involve building a web application but needs flexibility​.

Rails is purpose-built for web applications. Whether you’re building an e-commerce platform, a social networking site, or a content management system, Rails can help you get to market faster. Businesses often turn to Rails when they need to create robust, scalable websites or web applications.

Ease of Maintenance

Ruby is designed to be easy to read and write, making maintenance relatively straightforward. However, if a project becomes large and complex, managing Ruby without a framework like Rails can become challenging.

Rails simplifies maintenance even further by adhering to best practices like Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY), which encourages clean, reusable code. This makes Rails ideal for projects that may grow over time and require ongoing updates and improvements.

When to Use Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails

By now, you might be wondering, “Which one should I choose for my business project—Ruby or Ruby on Rails?” The answer depends entirely on the type of project you’re planning and your business goals.

When to Use Ruby

Ruby is a great fit if you need to build something flexible, where speed isn’t the most critical factor, and you’re dealing with general-purpose tasks. For example, if you’re looking to create automation tools, small desktop applications, or even scripts to handle data processing, Ruby is your go-to solution. It offers developers the freedom to create highly customized solutions without the constraints of a specific framework. This flexibility can be especially useful if you’re not sure yet what your final product will look like and need the ability to iterate quickly.

When to Use Ruby on Rails

If you’re aiming to build a web application, especially if you’re looking to get to market quickly, Rails is the clear choice. It’s ideal for businesses that want to develop a website or platform that’s scalable, secure, and feature-rich. Rails comes with all the built-in tools to handle things like user authentication, databases, and content management—so developers can focus on customizing your app rather than building everything from scratch.

For instance, if your company is building an e-commerce platform, a social networking site, or even an internal tool for managing employees or inventory, Rails can save you significant development time. Its structured framework helps you get the essentials up and running fast, and its scalability means your application can grow as your business does.

Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails: The Final Verdict

So, where does this leave us? Ruby and Ruby on Rails are two sides of the same coin, each offering distinct advantages depending on the nature of your project. If your business needs flexibility for general programming tasks or automation, Ruby is your best bet. It’s versatile and allows developers to build almost anything without being tied down by a specific framework.

On the other hand, if your focus is on building a web application, Ruby on Rails is the ideal solution. With its ready-made tools and best practices, Rails allows developers to build scalable, efficient websites quickly, saving you time and resources. Many of the world’s largest websites and platforms, like Shopify and GitHub, are powered by Rails, showcasing its ability to handle complex and high-traffic applications​.

Choosing between Ruby and Rails isn’t just about picking the right technology; it’s about aligning the tool with your business goals. Are you looking for flexibility and customization, or do you need speed and structure to bring a web project to life? By understanding these key differences, you can make an informed decision that will set your business up for success.