Organizations have majorly focused on investing in various tools and technologies. And why not? Businesses can experience significant advantages from the advanced technologies and tools and make the most of it in this digital era. A business needs to select the right frameworks or tools when it comes to developing a web solution. Ruby on Rails and JavaScript are two of the most preferred among various technologies. They both bring their unique set of advantages to the table.
Ruby on Rails, or Rails, is a web application development framework. It is written in Ruby programming language and is known for its elegant syntax. Not only that, it emphasizes convention over configuration principles, which is helpful in streamlining the development process. JavaScript, on the other hand, known as JS, is an object-oriented programming language. This is one of the most used ones, majorly used to create interactive user interfaces.
However, a business has to choose the right technology to create a seamless and feature-rich web application. The ideal way is to consult with a web application development service provider. The experts will assist you in selecting the right company for your business needs. Whether you’re drawn to the convention over configuration elegance of Ruby on Rails or enticed by JavaScript’s omnipresence, they will help you make the decision process easier.
Ruby on Rails Overview
Ruby is a software library that is helpful in expanding the Ruby language. It is known as Ruby on Rails by its creator and is now often called Rails. So, this framework is basically a software code that is developed on top of Ruby. Simply put, it’s a web application development framework that is written in the Ruby programming language.
It is an open-source and highly efficient web development framework, providing Ruby on Rails developers with the ability to write clean code. Various business verticals, including eCommerce, healthcare, education, and so on, have leveraged the power of Rails for its efficiency and scalability.
Pros of RoR
Ruby on Rails, often known as Rails. It is a popular web application framework written in the Ruby programming language. Here are some of the pros of using Ruby on Rails:
Productivity
Rails follow Convention over Configuration (CoC) and Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) principles in web development. This leads to a more streamlined and productive process of development. It means that Ruby on Rails developers can write the required code rather than dealing with boilerplate code.
Rapid Development
Another benefit of this web application development framework is that it helps in quick development of web apps. It helps in the development of robust web apps quickly because of the built-in tools and the principle of CoC it follows.
Active Community
A web application framework community plays an important role in not just supporting but advancing web development. Ruby on Rails has an edge over this because of its large community, which is vibrant and active. The experts share knowledge, solve problems, contribute code, and collaborate to ease the development of web applications. This results in saving time and effort.
Scalable Development
A scalable web application provides various benefits. It can help a business handle increased traffic with improved performance adaptable to growth, ensuring the future reliability of a web solution. Selecting a framework adaptable to growth plays an important role, and Ruby on Rails is one such. It provides tools and conventions that can help a RoR developer build highly adaptable web applications. Companies like Airbnb, GitHub, Shopify, etc., have utilized the potential of RoR.
However, it is also true that the scalability does not solely depend on the framework itself; the expertise of the Ruby on Rails development company plays a vital role in achieving that.
Security Features
A web application needs to be scalable but also secure to provide users with a safe and sound experience. This Ruby framework comes with built-in security features that are helpful in protecting a web application against common vulnerabilities.
It includes the safety of a web app against SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).
Cons of RoR
It is a popular web development framework, but like any other technology, it has various drawbacks. The following are some significant ones.
Runtime Speed
One of the significant disadvantages of RoR is speed. If it is compared to other web development technologies like Golang, the performance of RoR-based web applications is relatively slow. This can be a major drawback, especially when working on Rails projects that require less latency and more productivity.
Documentation
It’s a real challenge when looking for good documentation for Ruby on Rails. It is specifically challenging for less popular Ruby Gems and libraries using mix-ins heavily. This can make it complex for RoR developers to comprehend how to utilize certain features, eventually leading to delays in the web development process.
Use Cases of RoR
You can create a variety of web solutions using Ruby on Rails. This framework divides code into logical components, making it easier to understand and use. This framework is not only suited for building startup-oriented web applications but it can also be used for other types of projects also. These include:
- Complex Software Development
- eCommerce Websites
- Entertainment Platforms
JavaScript Overview
JavaScript is a well-known programming language and a WWW foundational technology (World Wide Web). The versatility of this tech plays a crucial role in developing web solutions. JavaScript’s asynchronous programming capability and flexibility make it a powerhouse in creating dynamic and interactive user interfaces.
JS is a front-end language? No, it is not; it extends its support to server-side development with technologies like Node.js. Several browsers implement JavaScript using a specific JavaScript engine. However, its features, including curly bracket syntax, dynamic prototyping, and so on, require assistance. Opting for JavaScript web development services can be the right decision to fulfill your needs.
Pros of JavaScript
Being one of the most widely used programming languages, JavaScript offers various advantages to a business. Some of them are elaborated below:
Scalable Web Development
One of the benefits of using JavaScript is that it is helpful in reducing the load on the server. It is an “interpreted language.” JS validates data before using it. This client-side execution enhances the performance of web solutions. This ultimately results in reducing the load and helping to make the web application or website high-performing and more scalable.
Full Stack Capability
JavaScript provides ease in full-stack development. With its features and the evolution of the run-time environment, it opens up the door for back-end development. Your hired JavaScript developers can use Node.js for the purpose of creating the backend of a web application. For the front-end part of the web application, you can utilize one among various JS libraries or frameworks like AngularJS or ReactJS. This programming language is a one-stack solution for full-stack web development.
Overheads are Less
Since JS is capable of full-stack development, that does not mean it requires more overheads. This is one of the pros of utilizing JavaScript in web development. Why does JS have less overhead than any other programming language? Because it is a lightweight language and does not require heavy software or hardware installation. This makes it a preferable choice for web applications or website development.
Security
Security is one of the major concerns a business has to pay the utmost importance. Choosing an apt programming language or framework helps provide a secure surfing experience to users. This is where JavaScript excels. In-built security features like sandboxing, secure transmission, etc., help protect data from unauthorized access.
Cons of JavaScript
Using web development technology is not always advantageous. It has some cons that can be handled properly if monitored by an expert JavaScript web development company. These are some significant drawbacks of using this object-oriented programming language.
Debugging Support is Missing
Debugging is one of the main features helpful in amplifying the productivity of a web solution. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of JavaScript. It lacks debugging support or is not advanced enough to identify and fix bugs. This makes the work of JavaScript developers complex when finding and fixing errors.
Browser Inconsistency
One significant demerit of JavaScript is inconsistency with different web browsers. Although these standards are already established in JS, some browsers often implement diverse standards. This results in the inconsistency of a script across various browsers. However, an expert team can help you in fixing this error. They will write browser-compatible code frequently or utilize polyfills for this.
Use Cases of JavaScript
JavaScript is helpful in the development of both the front-end and back-end of a web application. Let’s understand some of the major use cases of JavaScript.
- Web Application Development
- Website Development
- Game Development
Difference Between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript
Till now, we have understood both Rails and JavaScript. Both technologies are premier in itself and have the upper hand over the other. But what exactly is the difference between both of them? Which tech stack is preferable and why? The unpopular opinion still dwells on JavaScript, but let’s not count Rails as the less potential component. Let’s understand the major difference between both of them.
Coding Speed
The primary difference between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript is the coding speed. The modern web application development framework Ruby on Rails is handy in backend development. In contrast, JavaScript plays a crucial role in the development of not only the front end but the back end part of a web solution. This difference properly impacts the speed of coding for each language.
It is no doubt that various leading web solutions, like GitHub, Shopify, etc., have leveraged the power of Ruby on Rails. Why? It is because of ease in code delivery and rich libraries that ease the overall development process. Not only that, the technology provides a powerful template engine that helps create dynamic pages easily.
However, JavaScript is not that capable of providing rapid web solutions because of its complexity. This states that it requires more code to be written to achieve the same results, which one can get with less code in Ruby. Also, it does not have an in-built routing system like RoR. All this results in amplifying the development time.
It states that Ruby on Rails provides more rapid development than JavaScript. However, JS can provide faster results when it is used for delivering front-end solutions.
Security
Security is vital for any business and plays a vital role in establishing a credible presence among users. This is why opting for the right technology is essential. Both JavaScript and Ruby on Rails are highly secured. However, Ruby on Rails has the upper hand over JavaScript in security. This is because of its various built-in features that help develop secure web applications. On the contrary, the most popular programming language, JavaScript, has security loopholes, especially on the client side.
Performance
A framework or a programming language that provides enhanced performance works like a savior for a business. It is simple: if your website or web application performs well, users will use it. The performance of JavaScript depends on a web solution’s front (client-side)and back end (server-side). Also, it is single-threaded and uses event-driven mode, making it an ideal technology for developing low-latency web applications. Comparatively, Ruby on Rails does not have asynchronous code and slower processing time. This technology requires Ruby on Rails developers to be versed with the concurrences. It impacts this modern technology and results in losing the race with JavaScript on performance.
Community
The community of both Ruby on Rails and JavaScript is vibrant and active. But when it comes to popularity, JavaScript has an edge over Rails. This is because more than 85% of the websites on the internet use JavaScript. On the contrary, the community GitHub is well-known for the community of Ruby on Rails.
Conclusion
So, the blog has discussed the major differences between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript in web development. Choosing the right technology for your business is pivotal when you are deciding between them. This is because both of them bring a handful of advantages to the table.
Ruby on Rails is the right choice if you prioritize quick development, simplicity, and convention over configuration. On the other hand, if you require a more dynamic and interactive user experience, JavaScript is a favorable option.
This choice depends on the project’s nature and the requirements of your business. Keep in mind that the technology you choose should align with the long-term requirements of your business. You can consider the advantages that each technology brings over the other. If you are confused, consult with either a Ruby on Rails or a JavaScript web development service provider. The expert team can help you select and develop a web solution that contributes to the success of your organization.
