Ruby vs. Ruby on Rails: 5 Key Differences You Must Know

Ruby and Ruby on Rails are two of the most popular and confusing names in the development industry. While both these web development essentials sound and function quite similar, there is a major difference between both! 

If you want to know what sets Ruby and Ruby on Rails apart, this blog is for you.

In this blog, we’ll understand Ruby vs Ruby on Rails in depth, making a thorough comparison between them. 

Let’s get started!

What is Ruby? 

When we talk about programming languages with a perfect blend of performance and simplicity, Ruby is one of the top names. Launched in the year 1995, Ruby is an object-oriented scripting language created by Yukihiro Matsumoto, also known as Matz. 

Although Rubi is an object-oriented, high-level language, it was created to make coding fun, simple, fast and less of a chore. Matz created Rubi by taking inspiration from popular languages such as Perl, Python and Ada.   

Since its launch in 1995, Rubi has become a popular name amongst coders and developers. The main reason? Ruby’s clean, readable and welcoming syntax for beginners. But that’s not all. Ruby is also packed with various helpful features such as excellent memory management, garbage collection and smooth dependency handling.

Here are some of the big names that trust Ruby for their platforms — 

• GitHub
• Twitter
• Airbnb
• Fiverr
  

All in all, Ruby being a simple syntax programming language, still doesn’t compromise with its features. This, consequently, makes Ruby a popular choice for developers worldwide. 

What is Ruby on Rails? 

Ruby on Rails commonly known as Rails, is a popular framework for web development. Ruby on Rails is quite known for providing powerful frameworks with a ready-to-use structure that allows developers to seamlessly create web applications.  

Ruby on Rails was created in 2004 by David Heinemeier Hansson. Initially, it was developed to power Basecamp – a project management tool by 37Signals.

But what makes Ruby on Rails so popular, you ask? Rails is built on the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. This means that it is a full-stack framework that can handle both front-end and back-end development of a web application. 

Ruby on Rails is built on two core principles — “Convention over Configuration” (CoC) and “Don’t Repeat Yourself” (DRY). Simply put, CoC means that developers can spend more time on building the web app instead of configuring it as Rails comes with smart defaults. And, DRY eliminated the need to use repetitive codes and increased efficiency. 

All in all, Ruby on Rails is a fast, secure, versatile and cost-effective framework for web app development, making it a prominent choice for companies such as: 

• Bloomberg
• Crunchbase
• Zendesk

Now that we have understood what Ruby and Ruby on Rails are, let us understand what separates these two. We’ll discuss five key differences between Ruby vs Rails

Key Differences Between Ruby vs Ruby on Rails 

While both Ruby and Ruby on Rails seems kind of similar in functionalities and of course name, both have some major differences which set them apart from each other. Let’s decode – 

1. Language vs. Framework

Let’s start with the most evident difference between Ruby vs Ruby on Rails. After all, at their core, Ruby is an object-oriented and general-purpose programming language, whereas Rails is a web development framework built on Ruby. They both serve different roles – Ruby is used for writing scripts and building stand-alone applications and Rails is used for development web applications. 

It won’t be wrong to consider Ruby as a foundation and Rails to be an add-on. In a nutshell, you can use Ruby to write scripts without Rails, however, you can’t use Rails without Ruby.

2. The Principles Behind Them

Now, let’s talk about the core principles behind Ruby vs Ruby on Rails. 

The mind behind Ruby, Matz created Ruby to be a simple, intuitive and enjoyable to use language that not only minimises efforts but also increases productivity, 

Ruby on Rails, on the other hand, is built upon two main principles – “Convention over Configuration” (CoC) and “Don’t Repeat Yourself” (DRY). These two principles allow developers to spend less time on unnecessary configuration and repetitive tasks. Thus, allowing the development process faster and more efficient. 

3. Where They Shine

Let us differentiate Ruby vs Ruby on Rails on the basis of their functional area. 

Ruby is one of the best programming languages to build desktop applications as well as handle general programming tasks. Moreover, it is known for its versatility, simplicity and powerful functionalities. 

And when we talk about Rails, it is a tailor-made framework for web application development. Rail’s streamlined approach makes it a really good fit for creative MVPs or prototypes. 

4. Time and Maintenance

Ruby is considered a fast-to-use and clean programming language. However, Ruby on Rails takes this speed to the next level. Thanks to CoC and DRY principles, Rails eliminates repetitive coding and unnecessary configurations. Consequently, not only speeds up the development process but also simplifies the maintenance. 

5. Syntax and Flexibility

When it comes to syntax, Ruby has a very clean and easy-to-read syntax even for beginners. Taking inspiration from programming languages such as Python and Perl, Ruby offers tons of features such as garbage collection, exception handling, and inheritance. 

Rails is also a very simple-to-use framework. However, what sets Rails apart from Ruby is its flexibility. Developers can integrate Rails with other programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and XML. This helps in creating dynamic and visually appealing web applications. 

Ruby vs Ruby on Rails – A Quick Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison of Ruby vs Ruby on Rails —

	Ruby	Ruby on Rails
Definition	A dynamic, object-oriented programming language launched in 1995.	A web application development framework built on Ruby, introduced in 2004.
Core Purpose	Designed as a general-purpose programming language.	Tailored for building database-driven web applications.
Type	Ruby is a standalone programming language.	Ruby on Rails is a framework that requires Ruby to function.
Primary Use	Commonly used for creating desktop applications and standalone scripts.	Primarily used for developing dynamic, full-stack web applications.
Framework	Ruby is not a framework but a language.	Rails is specifically a framework for web development.
Development Principles	Focused on simplicity and developer happiness.	Built around “Don’t Repeat Yourself” (DRY) and “Convention over Configuration” (CoC).
Project Suitability	Ideal for scripting tasks and static websites.	Best for complex, database-driven web applications.

Parting Words – Making the Choice

Now, coming to the final question – Ruby vs Ruby on Rails, which one to choose? 

The answer entirely depends on the project that you are working on. For instance, if you are doing desktop application development and need an easy-to-use scripting language, Ruby is a top choice. In case you are working on web development and want increased speed and efficiency, Ruby on Rails is a no-brainer. 

All in all, we can say that Ruby lays the groundwork, whereas, Rails elevates it to build web applications with ease and increased efficiency. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the main difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails? 

The main difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails is that Ruby is a programming language, while Ruby on Rails is a web development framework. 

Q. Is it possible to use Ruby on Rails without knowing Ruby? 

Certainly not. As Ruby on Rails is built on Ruby, it is essential to know Ruby first. 

Q. Which is better for web development, Ruby or Ruby on Rails? 

When it comes to web development, Ruby on Rails is better suited as it simplifies the development process with features such as CoC and DRY principles. 

Q. What kind of projects are ideal for Ruby?

Ruby is one of the best programming languages for scripting tasks, desktop application development or creating static websites.  

Q. Why is Ruby on Rails considered a good option for MVPs and prototypes? 

CoC and DRY principles of Ruby on Rails considerably help in speeding up the development process, reducing repetitive coding and simplifying maintenance. Consequently, this makes it an ideal choice for building MVPs and prototypes.