Ruby on Rails Web Application Development

Ruby on Rails, often referred to as RoR, is an Open Source web framework which is gaining popularity day-by-day due to its ability to support rapid application development. For its support to agile development techniques and suitability for short, client-driven projects, it is often utilized by web developers. It helps in the development of professional websites and web applications that are quickly built and easy to maintain.

Ruby on Rails, or ‘Rails' for short was originally conceived out of Basecamp (a project management tool) by David Heinemeier Hansson and was released as an Open source in July 2004. Ruby on Rails development has features such as Model View Controller architecture that separates data from logic i.e., presentation layer, and helps in organizing the application program. Rails framework has an extensive AJAX library, which it uses to generate AJAX code and the required Java script is automatically generated.

Due to the integrated support for most leading database systems like Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL and SQLite, developers find it unproblematic to implement ROR in their database systems. Convention over Configuration (CoC) and the principle of Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY) are emphasized with RoR where Convention over Configuration means only unconventional aspects of the application need to be specified. Don't Repeat Yourself means that information is to be found in a single, definite place.

As a framework, RoR implements the model-view-controller (MVC)architecture which can be separated into following components:
Model summarizes the data manipulated by the application.
View is a depiction of the model into the user interface.
Controller responds to events from the interface and causes actions to be performed on the model.
The MVC pattern allows rapid change and evolution of the user interface and controller, making it suitable for Web application programming. It divides an entire application into layers, making it highly manageable and easy to maintain.

Ruby on Rails applications are tailor-made to perfection for an individual or an enterprise and best fit for all kinds of web applications. RoR architecture is mainly preferred and used for development of cms, e-commerce websites, portals, collaborations, and communities.