Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript is a difficult and confusing choice.
To aid in making an informed decision, we have conducted a comprehensive comparison of Ruby on Rails and JavaScript.
Our analysis covers several aspects, such as Community, Performance, Learning Curve, Documentation, Cost to Hire, Use Cases, and Top Companies using these technologies. Read this post to make an informed choice and understand javascript vs ruby on rails.
A Brief Intro to Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails is a popular web development framework built on top of the Ruby programming language.
Ruby was created by Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto in the mid-1990s with the goal of creating a language that was both easy to read and write. Matsumoto drew inspiration from other programming languages like Perl, Smalltalk, and Lisp, and eventually released Ruby to the public in 1995.
Rails, the web development framework, was created by David Heinemeier Hansson in 2004 as a way to improve the development process of the web application Basecamp.
Hansson extracted the framework from the Basecamp codebase and released it as open source software.
Rails quickly gained popularity for its emphasis on convention over configuration, which made it easier for developers to build web applications quickly and efficiently.
A Brief Intro to JavaScript
JavaScript, on the other hand, was created by Brendan Eich at Netscape in 1995.
The initial goal of JavaScript was to add interactivity and dynamic functionality to web pages, which were primarily static at the time.
JavaScript was initially called LiveScript, but was later renamed to JavaScript to capitalise on the popularity of the Java programming language.
Despite its name, JavaScript is not related to Java and is a completely separate programming language.
Over the years, JavaScript has evolved significantly and is now widely used for both front-end and back-end web development.
You can also learn more about JavaScript at: Learn programming with JavaScript – Google Digital Garage
Advantages of using Ruby on Rails
Quick and Easy to learn and thus helps in faster development
Ruby and Rails is easy to learn and once you master it you can increase your development times easily.
There are plethora of resources where you can learn Ruby on Rails online.
A vast community is readily available
There are thousands of professional ruby on rails developers.
You can hire ruby on rails developers easily and get their advice.
They will also be able to guide you about hidden tips and tricks or features of ruby on rails.
Well Defined Industry Standards
Ruby on Rails adheres to a set of established guidelines that product owners can utilise to enhance the development process.
Moreover, it incorporates pre-established software design paradigms, such as Convention over Configuration, that provide developers with the flexibility to deviate from traditional features.
Additionally, the framework promotes the principle of Don’t Repeat Yourself, encouraging the avoidance of code repetition, and integrates the Active Record Pattern, which enables the data to be accessed from the database through a distinct method.
Finally, it works with lots of IDEs and Text Editors. Do you know about the best IDEs for Ruby on Rails? If no, you can know about them at: Ruby on Rails IDE
Tools and Libraries
You can access the tools and libraries of Ruby on Rails easily online.
It is well maintained and Gems are also present.
Gems are the libraries of Rails that allows you to add functionalities to your project without coding.
There is a chance that there already exists a gem in rails which you might need.
Scalability
Some people think ruby on rails is not scalable.
Well, this isn’t true.
It is a myth as Ruby on Rails is not highly scalable.
However, the process is not easily known and requires expertise.
You might also need to take the assistance of Ruby on Rails Development Company.
Understand about Ruby on Rails Scalability at: Ruby On Rails Scalability.
This guide will certainly benefit you if you are having any doubts about Ruby on Rails Scalability.
Advantages of Using Javascript
Speed
Javascript requires less time for compilation.
The reason is Javascript is an interpreted language.
Furthermore, it is a client-side script.
Thus, it does not require much time to connect to the server.
Simplicity
Javascript is easy to learn.
Besides, it is easier to implement.
You will not need not expensive resources to develop dynamic content.
Popularity
All the popular browsers that we use support javascript.
Furthermore, all the famous tech companies also use Javascript.
Considering that, you can understand that JavaScript is a reliable and popular choice for many.
Interoperability
Javascript is one of the rare programming languages which can blend with other technologies easily.
It can be used for designing a webpage.
Moreover, you can use it inside the script of another language.
Works fine in Emergency
Javascript works on the client side.
Therefore, even if there’s any discrepancy, the whole website does not need reloading.
Multiple Interfaces Opportunities
There are multiple options for developers to create dynamic and catchy web pages in Javascript.
You can easily use drag and drop plus sliders that make your website more engaging.
Extended Functionality
Looking for a time-saving and money saving programming language for web development?
Javascript helps you here too.
You can use third-party add-ons in Javascript and also develop javascript applications.
Versatility
You can integrate JavaScript with other libraries and frameworks such as NodeJs, AngularJs and ReactJs.
Thus, it is possible to use Javascript for both the back-end and front-end web development.
Less Overhead
The code length of Javascript is easily minimised and there is also less overhead.
This is because of various built-in functions for loops, DOM access, etc.
Now, let’s understand the disadvantages of both the languages in our Ruby on Rails vs Javascript’s comparison.
Disadvantages of Ruby on Rails Development
Flexibility is Less
There are multiple dependencies and modules required to develop an application in Ruby on Rails.
Thus, if you wish to have a project that requires unique concepts, ruby on rails might give you a hard time.
However, if your product is already well-defined and not so unique, ruby on rails development will be easy due to the same modules.
Runtime Speed and Performance
Ruby on Rails is slower than other frameworks such as the latest Node.js or Django. However, that does not mean that your application will not run on and will hang when developed in Ruby on Rails.
Rather, performance issues may arise if servers or databases are not maintained properly.
Hefty costs in case of wrong decisions
If you choose a wrong tech stack or a wrong architecture in the beginning of the ruby on rails project, you will have to pay hefty costs in terms of both time and money.
Any structural deficiencies will be difficult to fix. This is because ruby on rails has all the components tightly coupled.
All these components also depend on each other and maintenance and alterations in the later stage will hurt your development process.
Documentation
Less popular gems and reliable documentation are hard to find.
Furthermore, documentation of your favourite gem might also be hard to find and modify.
You can always dive deep into the code however that may not be easy and you may need to hire ruby on rails developers.
Disadvantages of JavaScript Development
Balancing Flexibility and Discipline in JavaScript Development
JavaScript is a programming language that is known for its relaxed nature compared to other languages.
It is not very strict when it comes to following conventions and rules, like defining variable types.
However, this can result in developers developing bad habits if they are not careful and do not adhere to their own set of rules.
To overcome these challenges, businesses can hire experienced developers and adopt a more strict approach to JavaScript development.
This approach will ultimately save time, money, and prevent frustrations in the future by ensuring that the program is stable and reliable, making it easier for engineers to build on.
Protecting Your Web Application with Client-side Security Practices.
Web developers need to be cautious when it comes to programming with JavaScript for the web.
Since JavaScript code is easily accessible to clients, it can leave the application vulnerable to attacks from malicious parties, leading to system breaches, damage or even denial of access.
To minimise such risks, developers should avoid exposing sensitive information or leaving access details or debugging codes on the client-side.
Overcoming Challenges of Debugging in JavaScript for Web Development.
Debugging in JavaScript for web development can be challenging due to limited tools available for problem-solving and code debugging.
As web browsers are not primarily designed for development, the available tools are limited compared to those of other programming languages such as C++ or Java.
However, with an increasing number of JavaScript tools being developed over time, developers can now access a wider range of debugging resources for web development.
Dealing with Browser Inconsistencies in JavaScript Development.
Developing for the web with JavaScript can be complicated due to the variations in how browsers interpret JavaScript.
This inconsistency can lead to a frustrating user experience and can make the service appear unprofessional and disorganised.
Extensive testing and quality assurance can mitigate these issues, but the costs of these measures will rise as services grow.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript
| Parameter | Ruby on Rails | JavaScript |
| Creator | Developed by David Heinemeier Hansson | Created by Brendan Eich |
| Year of Release | 2003 | 1995 |
| Performance | Although Rails can be slower than JavaScript in some cases, it offers faster development and deployment times. | JavaScript is known for its fast performance, but can sometimes require more development time due to its dynamic nature. |
| Scalability | Rails can be more complex to scale compared to JavaScript, but offers features like Active Record and ActiveRecord::Relation to handle database queries efficiently. | JavaScript offers easy scalability through technologies like Node.js and can handle large amounts of data without compromising on performance. |
| Community | While Ruby on Rails has a big community, it’s not as large as the JavaScript community which offers many resources and libraries. | The JavaScript community is enormous and has a vast number of resources, libraries, and frameworks available. |
| Security | Ruby on Rails offers high security features by default, including protection against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and cross-site request forgery attacks. | JavaScript is comparably less secure and requires additional security measures to be put in place. |
| Popularity | Ruby on Rails is not as popular as JavaScript, which is one of the most widely used programming languages today. | JavaScript’s popularity has been growing rapidly in recent years and is now one of the most widely used programming languages for web development. |
| Resource Availability | Ruby on Rails has a smaller pool of resources and developers available compared to JavaScript, which has a much larger and active community. | JavaScript has a vast pool of resources, developers, and libraries available, making it easier to find solutions to common issues. |
| Documentation | Ruby on Rails has comparably less extensive documentation, but it’s known for being easy to learn and use. | JavaScript’s documentation is better suited for experienced developers and can be more challenging for beginners to navigate. |
Detailed Comparison of Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript
Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript in terms of Popularity
A detailed comparison between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript reveals that JavaScript is significantly more popular than Ruby on Rails.
According to the StackOverflow 2022 survey, 61.46% of developers currently use and love JavaScript, while 12.98% plan to use it in the future.
Moreover, JavaScript has been the most commonly used programming language among developers for the last decade, with 65.36% of respondents preferring it over other languages.
In contrast, Ruby and Rails are loved by 55.34% of developers, and only 3.3% plan to use them in the future.
Therefore, it is clear that JavaScript has a much broader reach than Ruby on Rails when it comes to popularity.
Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript in terms of Coding Speed
Regarding coding speed for Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript, we should consider the primary point: Ruby on Rails is used for backend development, whereas JavaScript is used for frontend development.
Further, Ruby on Rails uses the latest IT tools with its fast development speed and code simplicity.
Ruby on Rails has a vast library that makes the development process even more accessible and thus improves the development process.
The libraries include numerous gems, and there is a gem for every functionality you can think of.
Thanks to the extensive community, these gems are continually improving and updated.
Ruby on Rails also allows its developers to solve any problem in the best possible way.
JavaScript, on the other hand, offers a comparatively slow development speed due to the additional functions of the language, like the event queues operators, syntax, and HTTP requests.
JavaScript possesses an asynchronous nature that permits the code execution at once.
The core reason JavaScript is comparatively slower than Ruby on Rails is that it has no simple solution to problems faced by the developers, and they must try all the methods to get the best possible solution.
Javascript vs Ruby on Rails in terms of Community
When it comes to community, both Ruby on Rails and JavaScript have their advantages.
Ruby on Rails has a substantial community, with 51.7k Stars and 20.7k Forks on Github.
However, JavaScript has an even more significant presence, powering 95% of websites on the internet and being one of the most popular languages among developers.
Therefore, it’s safe to say that JavaScript has a stronger community than Ruby on Rails.
Javascript vs Ruby on Rails: Performance
Performance is a critical factor to consider when comparing frameworks or languages.
JavaScript, which can be used for both frontend and backend development, uses a single-threaded and event-driven model.
This makes it an ideal choice for developing low-latency applications since it frees developers from the need to wait for functions to complete.
On the other hand, Ruby on Rails does not support asynchronous coding and has a slower processing time.
To achieve concurrency in Ruby on Rails, you need to be experienced with concurrent programming to implement it efficiently.
Additionally, Ruby on Rails is interpreted at runtime, which can cause it to fall behind JavaScript in terms of performance.
JavaScript vs Ruby on Rails Documentation:
The documentation for JavaScript is extensive and has a wide range of features that can significantly improve the development process and save time.
However, the documentation can be complex, which may overwhelm new developers, although it’s not much of an issue for experienced ones.
Learning Curve of Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript:
JavaScript is popular but can be challenging for new developers due to its complex documentation and reliance on a single method to solve issues.
In contrast, Ruby on Rails is more accessible, thanks to extensive documentation and many features that simplify the development process.
Multi-Threading Support in Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript:
Ruby on Rails can handle multiple tasks concurrently to a certain extent. However, enabling multi-threading functionality can negatively affect application performance, especially for complex applications.
JavaScript doesn’t support multi-threading at all, though there are some ways to implement it, but they are not as efficient as real multi-threading support.
Security in Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript:
Ruby on Rails is more secure than JavaScript, as it has an inbuilt set of tools designed to protect the framework from outside cyber-attacks.
However, JavaScript is susceptible to security threats like XSS attacks, especially on the client-side.
Regardless of the framework you use, it’s always wise to be prepared against security threats and take precautions to mitigate them.
Development Cost of Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript:
Both Ruby on Rails and JavaScript are relatively expensive frameworks, requiring experienced developers and technical resources.
While Ruby on Rails needs experienced developers from ruby on rails development company to make your project a reality, JavaScript is an ECMAScript implementation that requires experienced developers to ensure efficient development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript in 2023 will ultimately depend on the specific needs and goals of a project.
Ruby on Rails remains a reliable and popular option for building web applications quickly and efficiently, with a large and supportive community.
However, the growing popularity and versatility of JavaScript, coupled with the increasing use of front-end frameworks like React and Angular, make it a powerful choice for building complex and dynamic web applications.
It is important for developers and businesses to carefully consider their requirements and expertise before choosing between these two technologies, and to stay informed about new developments and trends in the rapidly-evolving web development landscape.