Future of Open Source Technology in the Modern Market

Open source technology is at the crux of modern software solutions. Today businesses and technology experts are employing these technologies in all aspects of web and mobile application development, cloud computing, AI and machine learning, crypto-currencies etc.

These software not only empowers collaboration and community-driven development but also offers cutting-edge solutions that drive innovation across industries.

As we delve into 2023, it’s time to explore the top technology trends that are set to redefine the way we work, communicate, and interact with the digital realm.

What is Open Source Technology?

What is Open Source Technology

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Open source technology refers to software, applications, and tools whose source code is made accessible to the public.

Unlike proprietary software these platforms encourage collaboration, transparency, and community-driven custom application development.

With these platforms anyone can view, modify, and distribute the source code, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and continuous improvement. This also fosters innovation in modern web and mobile application development.

This approach empowers developers to tailor solutions to specific needs.

Top 10 Reasons Software Developers Prefer Open Source Platforms

Top 10 Reasons Software Developers Prefer Open Source Platforms

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The platform has become the cornerstone of custom application development, attracting developers with their collaborative and transparent nature.

Here are the top 10 reasons why software developers prefer working with open source technologies:

  1. Transparency and Trust:

The projects are transparent, allowing developers to inspect the source code and understand how things work.

This transparency fosters trust and enables software developers to identify and address security vulnerabilities.

  1. Freedom to Modify:

These platforms grant developers the freedom to modify and customize software according to their specific needs. This flexibility encourages creativity and innovation.

  1. Active Community Collaboration:

These projects thrive on active and passionate communities.

Developers can collaborate with like-minded individuals from around the world, learning from their expertise and contributing their skills. This further brings progressive changes to web and mobile application development.

  1. Rapid Innovation:

These technologies often evolve quickly due to contributions from a diverse group of developers.

This rapid pace of innovation keeps developers engaged and ensures that solutions stay up-to-date.

  1. Learning Opportunities:

Participating in these projects provides developers with valuable learning experiences.

They can explore new languages, frameworks, and technologies while working on real-world projects.

  1. Access to High-Quality Tools:

Many open source tools and libraries are of high quality and are maintained by dedicated contributors.

Software developers benefit from using reliable solutions that have undergone rigorous testing.

  1. Continuous Learning and Growth:

It encourages continuous learning. Developers are exposed to various coding styles, best practices, and problem-solving techniques, enhancing their skill set over time. This enables them to provide better web and mobile application development services to their clients.

  1. Exposure and Recognition:

Contributions to open source projects offer exposure and the chance to showcase one’s skills to a global audience.

This recognition can lead to job opportunities and networking within the developer community.

  1. Cost-Effective Solutions:

These platforms eliminate licensing costs, making them cost-effective for both individuals and organizations. Developers can experiment and build without financial barriers.

  1. Empowerment and Ownership:

Using these platforms empowers developers by allowing them to take ownership of their projects.

They have control over their work and can directly influence the direction of the software they use.

Top 5 Reasons Business Owners Prefer Open Source Technology

Top 5 Reasons Business Owners Prefer Open Source Technology

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This technology has gained immense popularity among business owners due to its numerous advantages that align with their strategic goals and bottom line.

Here are the top 5 reasons why business owners prefer to leverage open source technology:

  1. Cost-Effectiveness:

These solutions typically eliminate the need for expensive licensing fees. This cost savings can be significant for businesses, especially startups and small enterprises with limited budgets. This also facilitates custom web and mobile application development agencies to provide tailored solutions to their customers.

  1. Customizability:

These technologies facilitate custom application development according to specific business needs. This adaptability ensures that solutions align closely with business processes and requirements.

  1. Reduced Vendor Lock-In:

Business owners are wary of becoming dependent on a single vendor. These software reduces vendor lock-in, allowing businesses to switch providers or modify solutions without proprietary constraints.

  1. Scalability and Performance:

These solutions can be scaled to meet growing business demands. The flexibility of these technologies ensures that performance can be optimized to accommodate increased usage.

  1. Continuous Improvement:

With contributions from a global community, open source software development experiences continuous improvement. Businesses benefit from updates and enhancements that keep their technology stack relevant.

Top Open Source Web Development Technologies

 

 

Top Open Source Web Development Technologies

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Cake PHP:

CakePHP framework is built on PHP that simplifies and accelerates custom application development. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern and provides tools for building robust, maintainable applications.

  • Rapid Development:
    CakePHP’s convention over configuration approach speeds up the development process by minimizing repetitive tasks and reducing manual coding.
  • Built-in Security:
    CakePHP custom application development facilitates built-in security features like SQL injection prevention and cross-site scripting (XSS) protection, ensuring safer applications.
  • Scaffolding:
    Its scaffolding feature generates basic CRUD functionality automatically, enabling developers to quickly build database-driven applications.
  • Active Community:
    CakePHP development has an active community that provides support, plugins, and resources, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem.

Ruby on Rails:

Ruby on Rails is a popular web application framework written in Ruby. It’s known for its elegant syntax and follows the MVC architecture. Rails makes it easy to develop scalable and maintainable web applications.

  • Productivity:
    Ruby on Rails development emphasizes “Convention over Configuration” and “Don’t Repeat Yourself,” leading to faster development with less code.
  • Rapid Prototyping:
    Rails’ scaffolding and intuitive syntax enable developers to create prototypes quickly, facilitating client feedback and iterative development.
  • Testing Frameworks:
    Rails development includes testing tools like RSpec and Capybara, promoting test-driven development and ensuring robust code quality.
  • Active Community:
    A strong community offers abundant resources, gems (libraries), and plugins that extend Rails’ functionality.

Magento:

Magento is an open source e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create powerful online stores. It offers a range of features for managing products, orders, payments, and customer interactions.

  • E-commerce Features:
    Magento development provides comprehensive e-commerce functionalities, including inventory management, order processing, and customizable product catalogs.
  • Flexibility:
    Its modular architecture allows businesses to extend and customize features to match their unique business requirements.
  • Scalability:
    Magento eCommerce platform is built to handle large online stores and high traffic volumes, making it suitable for enterprises and growing businesses.
  • Multi-Store Capabilities: Businesses can manage multiple online stores from a single backend, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
  • SEO-Friendly:
    Magento development includes features like URL rewrites, sitemaps, and metadata settings to optimize online stores for search engines.

WordPress:

WordPress is an open source content management system (CMS) that powers a significant portion of the internet. It’s used for creating blogs, websites, and even e-commerce stores through its various plugins and themes.

  • User-Friendly Interface:
    WordPress offers an intuitive dashboard and content editor that makes it accessible to non-technical users, enabling them to manage websites easily.
  • Plugin Ecosystem:
    The vast library of plugins allows businesses to add features like e-commerce, SEO optimization, marketing plugins and social media integration.
  • Themes and Customization:
    A wide range of themes and customization options cater to different design preferences, enabling businesses to create unique websites.
  • Community Support:
    A large and active community provides help, documentation, and forums for troubleshooting and enhancing WordPress websites.
  • SEO Benefits:
    WordPress development offers SEO-friendly features like clean URLs, meta tags, and responsive designs, contributing to better search engine rankings.

VueJS:

VueJS is a progressive JavaScript framework used for building user interfaces. It’s particularly suitable for creating single-page applications (SPAs) and interactive components within larger projects.

  • Progressive Framework:
    VueJS framework is designed to be incrementally adoptable, allowing developers to integrate it into existing projects without a steep learning curve.
  • Component-Based:
    Its component-based architecture encourages code reusability, making it easier to manage complex user interfaces.
  • Performance:
    VueJS custom application development uses a virtual DOM and efficient update mechanisms, resulting in fast rendering and better user experience.
  • Flexibility:
    VueJS can be used for building small interactive components or full single-page applications, adapting to various project scopes.

ReactJS:

ReactJS is another popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces, developed by Facebook. It excels at creating dynamic and responsive web applications, especially SPAs. It also facilitates in creating SEO optimized websites.

  • Virtual DOM:
    React framework features virtual DOM optimizes updates by only rendering the necessary changes, leading to faster performance and better user experience.
  • Reusability:
    Component-based web and mobile application development encourages reusing components across different parts of an application, saving time and effort.
  • Large Community:
    React custom application development has a vast community, providing extensive documentation, libraries, and resources for learning and troubleshooting.
  • React Native: React’s sibling framework, React Native, allows developers to build native mobile apps using similar codebases, promoting code reuse.

AngularJS:

AngularJS framework is developed by Google for building dynamic web and mobile application development platforms. It provides tools for creating complex UIs, managing data, and handling routing.

  • Two-Way Data Binding: AngularJS development features two-way data binding which simplifies synchronization between the UI and data models, enhancing user interactions.
  • Dependency Injection: AngularJS framework dependency injection feature promotes modular and testable code by managing component dependencies.
  • Directives: Custom directives allow developers to create reusable UI components and enhance code maintainability.
  • MVC Architecture: AngularJS web and mobile application development follows the Model-View-Controller pattern, enabling clean separation of concerns and organized code structure.
  • Localization: AngularJS supports internationalisation and localization, making it easier to create applications that cater to different languages and regions.

JavaScript:

JavaScript is a versatile scripting language used for building interactive and dynamic web pages. It’s an essential technology for front-end development and enables client-side scripting.

  • Universal Language:
    JavaScript development is a core technology of the web, ensuring cross-platform compatibility and enabling interactive user experiences.
  • Client-Side Interactivity:
    JavaScript allows developers to create dynamic and interactive web pages, enhancing user engagement.
  • Vast Ecosystem:
    A rich ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools extends JavaScript’s capabilities, catering to various development needs.
  • Asynchronous Programming:
    JavaScript has an asynchronous nature allowing non-blocking operations, improving application performance and responsiveness.
  • Community and Resources:
    A thriving community offers tutorials, documentation, and support, making it easier for developers to learn and troubleshoot.

NextJS:

NextJS is a React framework that simplifies server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG). It enhances React applications with optimized performance and SEO benefits.

  • Server-Side Rendering (SSR):
    NextJS custom application development supports SSR, improving page load times, SEO, and providing a better user experience.
  • Automatic Code Splitting:
    NextJS framework automatically splits code based on routes, optimizing initial page loads and improving application performance.
  • Static Site Generation (SSG):
    The React framework offers SSG for generating static HTML files, enhancing performance and reducing server load.
  • Built-in Routing:
    NextJS provides routing out of the box, simplifying navigation between pages and improving overall user experience.
  • Developer Experience:
    NextJS simplifies web application development by handling many optimizations and configurations, allowing developers to focus on building features.

NuxtJS:

NuxtJS is a framework for creating VueJS applications with server-side rendering and static site generation. It streamlines the development process and optimizes Vue applications for performance.

  • js Integration:
    NuxtJS framework is designed for Vue.js applications, providing server-side rendering and other optimizations for Vue projects.
  • Server-Side Rendering (SSR):
    NuxtJS web and mobile application development supports SSR, leading to better SEO, faster page loads, and improved performance.
  • Static Site Generation (SSG):
    The framework offers SSG, allowing developers to generate static HTML files for enhanced performance and SEO.
  • Automatic Routing:
    NuxtJS custom application development provides automatic route generation based on the file structure, streamlining navigation within the application.
  • Extensive Plugins:
    NuxtJS development includes a variety of plugins for tasks like handling APIs, server configurations, and more, simplifying development.

Python:

Python is a versatile programming language used for various applications, including web and mobile application development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing.

  • Readable Syntax:
    Python development features clear and readable syntax which reduces the complexity of code, making it easier to understand and maintain.
  • Versatility:
    Python can be used for web development, data analysis, machine learning, scientific computing, and more, offering a wide range of applications.
  • Rich Libraries:
    Python has extensive libraries and frameworks like NumPy, pandas, and TensorFlow accelerate development and problem-solving.
  • Community and Resources:
    Python development has a supportive community, offering extensive documentation, tutorials, and forums for learning and assistance.
  • Integration:
    Python can be easily integrated with other languages and technologies, enhancing its adaptability and expanding its capabilities.

Laravel:

Laravel is a PHP web framework that focuses on developer productivity and elegant syntax. It simplifies common tasks like authentication, routing, caching, and database management.

  • Elegant Syntax:
    Laravel framework features clean and expressive syntax that simplifies coding tasks, enhancing developer productivity and code maintainability.
  • Built-in Features:
    Laravel development offers built-in features for authentication, routing, caching, and more, speeding up the web and mobile application development process without reinventing the wheel.
  • Eloquent ORM: Laravel features Eloquent ORM simplifies database interactions and enables developers to work with databases using object-oriented syntax.
  • Lively Community:
    Laravel development has a lively community that contributes packages (Laravel Packages) and provides support, tutorials, and resources.
  • Security:
    Laravel framework incorporates security best practices, protecting applications from common vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

NodeJS:

NodeJS is a JavaScript runtime that allows developers to build server-side applications using JavaScript. It’s particularly suitable for building scalable and real-time applications.

  • Asynchronous Nature:
    It features a non-blocking I/O model that allows handling multiple concurrent connections efficiently, enhancing application responsiveness.
  • Large Package Ecosystem:
    NodeJS package manager, npm, provides access to a vast library of modules, saving development time.
  • Scalability:
    It is designed for building scalable network applications, making it suitable for handling large numbers of simultaneous connections.
  • Real-time Applications:
    It is well-suited for building real-time applications like chat applications, online gaming, and collaborative tools.  It’s possible to use NodeJS chat sdk to integrate chat function in an existing app
  • JavaScript Everywhere:
    It enables using JavaScript for both front-end and back-end application development, promoting code reuse and consistency.

Top Open Source Mobile app Development Technologies

The landscape of mobile app development platforms is vibrant, offering various options for developers to create powerful and customizable mobile applications.

Here are the top mobile app development platforms:

Flutter:

Developed by: Google

Flutter is an open source UI software development kit (SDK) that allows developers to create natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.

Benefits

  • Single Codebase, Multiple Platforms:
    Flutter enables developers to create apps for multiple platforms (iOS, Android, web, desktop) using a single codebase, saving time and effort.
  • Expressive UI:
    Flutter’s pre-designed widgets offer a wide range of customizable options, allowing developers to create visually appealing and consistent user interfaces.
  • Hot Reload:
    The “hot reload” feature in Flutter speeds up mobile application development by allowing real-time code changes, instantly reflecting the modifications in the app.
  • High Performance:
    Flutter compiles to native ARM code, resulting in high performance and smooth animations, giving users a native-like experience.
  • Strong Community:
    The Flutter development community is active and growing, offering extensive documentation, packages, and resources to aid developers in their projects.

React Native:

Developed by: Facebook

React Native is an framework that lets developers build mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It allows for the creation of native-like apps for both iOS and Android platforms.

Benefits

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility:
    React Native framework allows developers to create apps that work on both iOS and Android platforms with a single codebase.
  • Native Components:
    React Native framework components are translated into native UI components, providing an authentic look and feel for users.
  • Reuse Web Development Skills:
    Developers familiar with React can leverage their existing skills to create mobile apps, reducing the learning curve.
  • Efficient Updates:
    With over-the-air updates, developers can push updates directly to users without requiring them to download new versions from app stores.
  • Vibrant Ecosystem:
    React Native development boasts a large ecosystem of third-party packages, making it easy to integrate various functionalities into the app.

Apache Cordova (Formerly PhoneGap):

Developed by: Adobe Systems (Contributed to Apache Software Foundation)

Apache Cordova is a platform that allows developers to create mobile apps using web technologies and package them as native apps for various platforms.

Benefits

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility:
    Cordova framework allows developers to create apps that run on multiple platforms with a single codebase, reducing development effort.
  • Access to Device APIs:
    Cordova development provides access to device features like camera, geolocation, and sensors through JavaScript APIs, enabling app functionality.
  • Web Development Skills:
    Developers familiar with web technologies can transition into mobile application development without the need to learn native languages.
  • Fast Iteration:
    The framework enables fast development cycle enables quick iterations and updates, ensuring a faster time-to-market for apps.
  • Hybrid Approach:
    Cordova combines the convenience of web development with native capabilities, making it suitable for apps that require a mix of both.

Top Open Source Project Management Softwares

Orangescrum:

  • Task and Resource Management:
    Orangescrum offers robust task management features, allowing teams to create, assign, and track tasks efficiently. Resource management features help allocate work effectively.
  • Time Tracking:
    The software includes time tracking functionality, enabling teams to monitor how much time is spent on various tasks and projects.
  • Collaboration Tools:
    Orangescrum Open Source offers collaboration features like discussions, comments, file sharing, and email notifications to keep team members informed and engaged.
  • Gantt Charts:
    Gantt charts help visualize project timelines, task dependencies, and milestones, facilitating better project planning and management.
  • Customization:
    Orangescrum allows users to customize fields, workflows, and templates according to their specific project needs.

OpenProject:

  • Agile Planning:
    OpenProject supports Agile methodologies, providing tools for backlog management, sprint planning, and user story mapping.
  • Document Management:
    The open source project management software includes document management features, allowing teams to store, share, and collaborate on project-related documents.
  • Gantt Charts:
    Gantt charts enable teams to create and visualize project schedules, dependencies, and progress.
  • Collaboration and Discussions:
    OpenProject offers discussion boards and forums to facilitate communication and collaboration among team members.
  • Time Tracking:
    OpenProject supports time tracking, helping teams monitor effort spent on tasks and improving resource allocation.

Taiga:

  • Agile Features:
    Taiga is designed for Agile project management, providing tools for backlog management, sprint planning, and task tracking.
  • Kanban Boards:
    Kanban boards help visualize and manage work items, making it easier for teams to track progress and prioritize tasks.
  • User Story Mapping:
    Taiga supports user story mapping, allowing teams to define and visualize user requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Custom Workflows:
    Teams can customize workflows to match their processes, ensuring that work items progress through the appropriate stages.
  • Integrations:
    Taiga integrates with various third-party tools, enabling teams to connect their favorite tools and enhance their project management processes.

What is the Future of Open Source Web Development?

  • Responsive and Mobile-First Design:
    With the majority of internet users accessing websites from mobile devices, responsive and mobile-first design approaches were crucial. Websites were being designed and optimized for seamless experiences across various screen sizes.
  • Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):
    Progressive web apps continued to gain popularity due to their ability to provide a native app-like experience in web browsers. They offered faster loading, offline access, and push notifications, enhancing user engagement.
  • Single Page Applications (SPAs):
    SPAs, powered by frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js, were on the rise. They offered smoother user interactions by loading only the necessary content and data, resulting in faster page rendering.
  • Serverless Architecture:
    Serverless computing allowed developers to focus solely on writing code without managing server infrastructure. Services like AWS Lambda and Azure Functions enabled cost-effective and scalable applications.
  • JavaScript Frameworks and Libraries:
    JavaScript remained a cornerstone of custom application development. Frameworks and libraries like React, Angular, and VueJS empowered developers to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces.
  • WebAssembly (Wasm):
    WebAssembly, a binary instruction format for the web, enabled near-native performance in web applications. It allowed developers to run code written in multiple languages in browsers at high speeds.
  • API-First Development:
    APIs played a central role in custom application development, enabling data exchange between applications and services. API-first approaches facilitated front-end and back-end development independence.
  • Motion UI and Microinteractions:
    Web designers were leveraging motion UI and microinteractions to enhance user experience. Subtle animations and interactions added personality and engagement to websites.
  • Accessibility (A11y):
    Web accessibility gained prominence, with developers focusing on creating websites that are usable by people with disabilities. This involved adhering to web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and ensuring inclusivity.
  • Cybersecurity and Privacy:
    As data breaches and privacy concerns increased, cybersecurity became a top priority. Developers were adopting secure coding practices, using HTTPS, and complying with data protection regulations.

Conclusion

Open source technology is a dynamic force that has shaped our present and will undoubtedly shape our future. The collaborative spirit, innovation, and accessibility will continue to propel us toward new frontiers.

As we navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, one thing remains clear: the journey of these technologies is an ongoing saga of creativity, inclusivity, and endless possibilities. The future is open, and it’s brighter than ever before.

Top development companies focus on employing open source technology to be best able to meet their customer needs.

It gives web and mobile application development companies the coding freedom to craft stunning solutions for their vast customer base.

FAQs

  1. Can I use open source web development technologies for commercial projects?

Yes, you can typically use open source web and mobile application development technologies for commercial projects. Most of these technologies come with licenses that allow you to use, modify, and distribute the software freely, including for commercial purposes.

  1. How do I choose the right open source web development technology for my project?

Choosing the right custom application development technology depends on various factors. Consider the project’s requirements, such as functionality, scalability, and performance. Assess the technology’s documentation, community support, and active development.

It’s often a good idea to experiment with different options and seek advice from experienced developers or communities.

  1. Are open source web development technologies secure?

These web and mobile application development technologies can be secure when maintained properly. These projects often have large and active communities that contribute to security audits, bug fixes, and updates.

To ensure security, keep your technologies up to date, follow best security practices, and monitor official security advisories. Engaging with the community and contributing to security discussions can also help enhance the overall security of projects.

Benefits Of Ruby On Rails Application Development

Ruby on rails has been one of the tops most popular and advanced server-side web frameworks for a few years.

But still, some investors ask why we suggest Ruby on rails to develop their web application since all other frameworks and languages are available.

And obviously, they do not have any clue about it, it’s sure.

When you think a bit about it, it does seem there right is to ask as he/she the person who is investing to build the object and is going to use it as well.

So before I embark on the discussion of the benefits of using Ruby on Rails, let me explain first what Ruby on Rails actually is.

What is Ruby on Rails:

Ruby is a dynamic; fully object-oriented scripting language created back in 1995. Using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS developers can build an architecturally clean, and high-quality web application.

During the building of Basecamp in 2005, David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH) envisioned a controlling library over the Ruby programming language, thus originating the rails framework.

Later he made it extensible and flexible and uprooted with the open-source market.

And the framework was further improved and makes the breakthrough for web application development.

The Key principle of RoR development is “Convention over Configuration”.

It means the developer does not need to spend much time to configure the files in order to set up where are Rails comes with a set of convection that helps to speed up the development process.

From the management point of view, Ruby on rails community supports an iterative development method knows as Agile Development.

This Method encourages a collaborative and flexible approach which well appropriate for the web app development with fast-changing necessities.

Ruby on Rails Latest VersionsSource: Rubygems[.]org

Over the years Ruby on Rails has been upgrading its version (Currently: 6.0.0.beta3 – March 13, 2019) and gained a huge following.

I think this is enough for the introduction. Now Let’s see the advantages of using this framework on web application development.

Advantages of using RoR:

The RoR framework follows the 3 major designing ethics which endorse the simplicity in building a complex system.

  • MVC (Model View Controller) Architecture
  • Conventions over Configurations Model
  • DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself)

Along with, other benefits of ruby on rails are:

Simplicity:

With simple and readable syntax helps ruby programmers to execute more in less code. So, both developers and investors can view each development and quick learning progresses on the project.

The framework has the inbuilt solutions to the variety of problems that a web developer commonly faced. In case of any customized function that you need to employ, there is a gem available in the RubyGems.

If not, still the developer can find an expert from the Ruby community who can come up with the solution.

The set rules and prototypes of RoR facilitate further web application development. So, the developer does not need to waste his/her time on searching the appropriate structure for the application.

Faster development:

The experts quote Ruby on Rails minimize 20-40% website development time as compared to the other popular frameworks.

And it can be made possible due to the object-oriented nature of Ruby such as the bend code base, modular design, wide-ranging open-source code developed by the Rails community, and a wide range of pre-built plugin solutions for feature development.

Also, the developer can access the various pre-built modules which can take standard and non-standard components from a “garage’ and integrate them into the product.

The same components can be reused as well.

Moreover, the framework offers an option of integrated testing in the process of the coding which saves both time and efforts of the developer.

Easy to maintain and update:

Well, RoR is known for its predictability and stability. The programmer can modify or change the existing codes and can add new functionality with ease.

It means, if you want to upgrade your existing application, the rails convection will help to make it possible in lesser time without any complexity. This is more valuable for bigger projects.  

Also, the substitution of the development team would not be an issue if you use RoR for your application.

Cost-effective:

For investors, Ruby on Rails is the perfect saving prospects. As I already have mentioned above, the development process is up to 20-40% lesser developed under the Ruby platform. As a result, it will cut your cost.

As it is an open-source platform, it can be used by any individual or corporation. And supports open-source Linux and many free web servers. So, you do not need to buy any license.

And seeing as the entire development procedure and code updates are executed faster, investors lean to spend fewer budgets on the development of their web applications.

Quality product:

By the help of high-quality libraries, the developer built a hassle-free web application instead of writing boilerplate code each time.

It leads to concentrate on determining the application development and building a better product for you.

Same time, RoR also endorses testing automation, which helps to deliver better-performing software.

Being friendly to web designers in terms of structuring, RoR also facilitates web apps and sites more appealing.

Fit to every Industry:

From the years, the community of Ruby has been focusing on web development.

However, the use of RoR for various purposes has grown like e-commerce, content management system, mobile application backend, Fintech, market place social networks, etc.

Industries are using RoR platform.Source: Valuecoders Image

While the framework is flexible and can easily configure to any form of business and products, the demand for use of RoR has also has been increased among business owners. You might be thinking about how you can hire a Ruby on Rail developer and how much it may cost.

Industries can use these benefits at most:

Ruby on Rails is the best option to choose for the long term and dynamic projects. If you plan to build a general-purpose app or you need a business-critical solution, Ruby programming is the better option for you too.

Here I have mentioned some other industries that can get the most benefit out of Ruby on Rails:

  •     Social Media and Networking
  •     Beauty & Fashion Website Design
  •     Blogs & Widgets
  •     eCommerce Application Development
  •     Real Estate
  •     Healthcare
  •     Sports & Fitness
  •     Retail
  •     CRM

Conclusion

The overall conclusion is, it is excellent over time and performance which can absorb the changes, easy to collaborate, and can produce the best quality product for you.

As a web development company, Andolasoft has been working on Ruby on Rails framework from the last 11+ years and more than 250+ Rails projects have been delivered successfully.

Want to build your application on Ruby on Rail?Let’s Discuss!

Rails Or Django – Which One To Choose?

Rails or Django - which one to choose?

Python and Ruby are the most popular dynamic programming languages. Developers are using these two languages for high-level application development. Python and Ruby are popular among web developers because of their rapid development cycle.

Here, I have discussed the most important difference between Python and Ruby:

Philosophy

Python has been designed to emphasize the programmer’s productivity and code readability. The philosophy of Python requires almost everything explicitly defined by a programmer, whereas Ruby allows programmers to reuse the in-built components in development.

The philosophy behind Ruby is that programmers should have the flexibility and privilege to write concise and compact code.

Functional Programming

Both Rails and Django use object-relational mapping to link the application to the underlying database. In Django, the developer is required to explicitly specify each attribute of every class.

But, In rails, all module attributes are not defined in the class definition. A developer can retrieve all the information from the database based on the class name.

In Rails database migrations is very easy and in-built compared to Django, as it uses third party library like South.

Convention over Configuration

Ruby on Rails defines certain features that make web programming more effective and user-friendly. Convention over configuration (CoC) is one of the important features of Rails.

“Convention over Configuration” means a developer only needs to specify unconventional aspects of the application. There are some predefined layout and sensible defaults available in rails projects.

All components such as models, controllers, and static CSS and JavaScript files are located in standard sub-directories and you just need to drop your implementation files into those directories.

CoC saves a lot of time of developers because in rails you don’t need to write the same code again and again.

While in Django, you have to specify the path where the component files are located. So the development cycles in Rails are shorter as compared to it’s counterparts.

Model-View-Controller and REST

Ruby on Rails is unique because it supports the REST protocol. It helps you to organize your application. In Rails, all model objects are accessed and handled in a uniform manner using the standard HTTP verbs like getting, PUT, DELETE, and POST.

CSS, JavaScript and images

Rails have an in-built asset pipeline. Rails’ asset pipeline is having feature of minifying, concatenating and compressing JavaScript and CSS files. Not only that, it also supports other languages such as Coffeescript, Sass and ERB.

Django’s support of assets it very amateurish compared to Rails and leaves everything to the developer. Django offers static files, which basically collects all static files from each application to a single location.

URL mapping

Both Rails and Django allow for the use of regular expressions to customize the mapping of URLs to controller actions. Both are flexible enough to allow you to create pretty much any mapping scheme you wish.
But, Rails does automatic URL mapping based on the class and function names within controllers by default.

Testing

Testing is very easy in Rails and there’s a much stronger emphasis on it in Rails than in Django.

Popularity

Python is generally more widely used than Ruby. Due to the rising popularity of the Ruby on Rails Web application development framework, Ruby’s popularity to has seen rapid growth.

Both Rails and Django are effective web frameworks powered by efficient programming languages. However, Rails is the best platform for rapid web app development.

Andolasoft offers quality rails development service. We specialize in developing database-driven web applications in an efficient and hassle-free way.

Recommended Blog: Steps to add ‘Elasticsearch’ to Rails App

Have something to add to this topic? Share it in the comments

5 Reasons Why Web Development is Faster With Ruby On Rails

Ruby on Rails aka “RoR” is an open-source MVC framework built using the Ruby programming language.

It is considered as the epitome of the latest generation of high-productivity, open source web development tool. The growing demand for Ruby on Rails has been driven by successful RoR development companies like Andolasoft, who benefit from the speed and agility of building applications in Rails, which results in increased productivity and company growth.

1. Framework Built on Agile Methodology

RoR is faster because the framework was built based on Agile development methodology, best practices are emulated so web development is done with high quality and speed.

RoR framework includes support programs, compilers, code libraries, tool sets, and application programming interfaces (APIs) that bring together the different components to enable development of a project or solution.

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It’s possible to build sites that used to take 12 weeks in just 6 weeks using Ruby on Rails. It means you can save 50% on your development expenses.

2. Less Code Writing

Rails creates a skeleton for an application or module by executing all the code libraries. You must write some commands to accomplish this. This is what makes the process of web development faster.

Rails makes database deployments simpler than any open, or proprietary solution by allowing for migrations.

  • Adopting principle of DRY

    It also adopts the principle of “Don’t Repeat Yourself”. So all information can be retrieved from a single unambiguous database which tends to easier development.

  • Easy Configuration

    A key principle of Ruby on Rails development is convention over configuration. This means that the programmer does not have to spend a lot of time configuring files in order to get setup, Rails comes with a set of conventions which help speeding up development.

  • Modular Design

    Ruby code is very readable and mostly self-documenting. This increases productivity, as there is little need to write out separate documentation, making it easier for other developers to pick up existing projects.

  • Designer Friendly Templates

    HTML templates is a core feature of Rails. It allow templates to be composed of a base template that defines the overall layout of the page,the base template is called a “layout” while the individual page templates are “views”. The Rails application retrieves the list of tags from the database and makes it available to the view.The section of the view that renders these category is:

    <%= render :partial => 'category' %>

    This refers to a Ruby partial, a fragment of a page, which is contained in _category.html.erb. That file’s content is:

<h3>categories</h3>
<p class="categorylist">
<%= render :partial => 'categorylist', :collection => @category %>
</p>
  • This generates the heading then refers to another partial, which will be used once for each object in the collection named “categorylist”.

3. Third Party Plugin/Gem Support

Mature plugin architecture, well used by the growing community. Rails plugins allows developer to extend or override nearly any part of the Rails framework, and share these modifications with others in an encapsulated and reusable manner.

Rails community provides a wealth of plugins as Ruby Gems that you simply add to your project Gem-file and install. This significantly accelerates development and maintenance time as you’re not trying to integrate disparate libraries, it’s already done for you.

4. Automated Testing

Rails has developed a strong focus on testing, and has good testing suit in-built within the frameworks.

Rails makes it super easy to write your tests. It starts by producing skeleton test code while you are creating your models and controllers.

I’ve worked with the team at Andolasoft on multiple websites. They are professional, responsive, & easy to work with. I’ve had great experiences & would recommend their services to anyone.

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Salesforce, Houston, Texas

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Rails ships with a built-in test suite. There are many tools available in the market for testing Rails application as mentioned below with other web apps from many different aspects.

  • Rspec
  • Cucumber
  • Test Unit
  • Shoulda
  • Selenium (not really a ruby thing but more of a web thing)

But if you are new to testing we highly recommend you start with learning Rails own testing suite before start using other tools

5. Easier Maintenance

Once site launches, future modifications to your site (e.g., adding new features, making changes to the data model) can be made more quickly, for the same reasons noted above.
New features can be added quickly and maintaining applications over time can also be more cost-effective.

If you like this one, you might also like Why Rails framework popular among Ruby developers and The Best practices for Rails App Development .

4 Simple Steps To Implement “Delayed Job” In Rails

Here in this article, I going to tell you the best way to implement “delayed job” in rails

“delayed_job” is a ruby gem used to execute tasks as a background process in Rails environment, increasing page rendering speed.

Delayed::Job (or DJ) allows you to move jobs into the background for asynchronous processing.

Why you need a background process and is it really that important!

Let’s consider a scenario where a mailing application needs to send emails to a huge list of recipients. In such cases it is obvious that the processing time is too long, annoying the users.

Here are some of key points to consider:

  • Incredibly quick & easy to get rolling
  • No addition to your “stack”, runs just fine with Active Record
  • Good choice for beginners while migrating code from foreground to the background

Hence, it’s only wise to move the long running tasks as a background process by using “delayed_job” gem.

Detailed steps to integrate delayed job in a Rails application

Step# 1

  • Add gem to the Gemfile
  • “delayed_job” supports multiple back-ends for storing the job queue
  • To use “delayed_job” with Active Record, use gem ‘delayed_job_active_record’
  • To use “delayed_job” with Mongoid, use gem ‘delayed_job_mongoid’

Example

/Gemfile.rb

  • gem ‘delayed_job_active_record’, ‘4.0.3’
  • Run “bundle install” to install the “delayed_job” gem

Step# 2

  • Generate the related file for the Job run
  • Generate related files required to run the background job by running the following command
    • rails g delayed_job:active_record

It adds following files to the application

  • A Script named “delayed_job” inside “/bin” folder to run the jobs which are in queue.
  • Migration file to create a table to store the job with other information such as priority, attempts, handler, last_error, run_at, locked_at, failed_at, locked_by, queue.

Run the migration file by using the following command

  • rails db:migrate

Set the queue_adapter in config/application.rb

  • config.active_job.queue_adapter = :delayed_job

If you are using the protected_attributes gem, it must appear before delayed_job in your gemfile. If your jobs are failing with:

  • Setup Delayed::Job config in an initializer (config/initializers/delayed_job_config.rb)
    • Delayed::Worker.destroy_failed_jobs = false
    • Delayed::Worker.sleep_delay = 60
    • Delayed::Worker.max_attempts = 3
    • Delayed::Worker.max_run_time = 5.minutes
    • Delayed::Worker.read_ahead = 10
    • Delayed::Worker.default_queue_name = ‘default’
    • Delayed::Worker.delay_jobs = !Rails.env.test?
    • Delayed::Worker.raise_signal_exceptions = :term
    • Delayed::Worker.logger = Logger.new(File.join(Rails.root, ‘log’, ‘delayed_job.log’))

Step# 3

  • Replace script/delayed_job with bin/delayed_job
  • Start up the jobs process

There are two ways to do this.

  • If application is in development mode, we would use the below rake task instead.
    • rake jobs:work
  • If application is in production mode, then it is preferred to use the “delayed_job” script. This demonizes the job process and allows multiple background processes to be spawned.

To use this, pursue the following steps

  • Add gem “daemons” to your Gemfile
  • Run bundle install
  • Make sure you’ve run rails generate delayed_job
  • If you want to just run all available jobs and exit you can use rake jobs:workoff
  • Work off queues by setting the QUEUE or QUEUES environment variable.
    • QUEUE=tracking rake jobs:work
    • QUEUES=mailers,tasks rake jobs:work

Step# 4

  • Add task to run in background
  • In Controller just call .delay.method(params) on any object and it will be processed in the background.

Example:

UsersController before adding to background job

[code language=”html”]
class UsersController < ApplicationController
def send_email
User.find_each(is_subscribed: true) do |user|
NewsMailer.newsletter_mail(user).deliver
flash[:notice] = "Mail delivered"
redirect_to root_path
end
end
end
[/code]

 
UsersController after adding to background job

[code language=”html”]
class UsersController < ApplicationController
def send_email
User.find_each(is_subscribed: true) do |user|
# add .delay method to add it to background process. In case of mail sending remove the .deliver method to make it work.
NewsMailer.delay.newsletter_mail(user)
flash[:notice] = "Mail delivered"
redirect_to root_path
end
end
end
[/code]

Advantages of implementing above steps:

  • No more waiting for a response, after clicking a link to do a big stuff.
  • Just call .delay.method(params) on any object and it processes in the background.
  • Job objects are serialized to yaml and stored in the delayed_jobs table, so they can be restored by the job runner later.
  • It automatically retries on failure. If a method throws an exception it’s caught and the method reruns later. The method retries up to 25 times at increasingly longer intervals until it passes.
  • “delayed_job” gem maintains log by creating a log file “/log/delayed_job.log”

I am sure this article will give you a clear idea about the way to implement “delayed job” in rails. You can share your thoughts with comments if I have missed anything or if you want to know more.

Do you work on or use Ruby on Rails? Let’s Discuss!

Top Reasons To Bring RoR Development On Board

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Rails is an innovation in development framework.  It encompasses all the necessary elements to boost a web application’s performance. This framework is designed to address agile development and deliver productivity as well as flexibility to RoR developers. Developed using Ruby programming language, it has transformed the world of web development through its practical approach.

Ruby on Rails is built upon two programming philosophies

  • “Convention over Configuration”: Developers only need to write codes for the irregular or unconventional aspects of the web application.
  • “Don’t Repeat Yourself”: The data is stored in definite place. It saves time and reduces code

Advantages of Ruby on Rails

  • Faster Development: Rails framework enables the developers to write concise and clear syntax and produces fewer codes than its competitors. Therefore it requires less time to code and generates fewer errors. On the other hand it facilitates the programmers to maintain much less code. It is also enabled to integrate numerous tools to automate repetitive tasks such as managing database errors, creating forms etc. it simplifies development process because the language is lightweight and easily readable, almost like the natural language.
  • Increases productivity: Rails framework is specifically featured to reduce the development aspects of applications, instead leveraging creativity and uniqueness of the web application. It empowers productivity by eliminating repetitive programming codes.
  • Assists development of creative interfaces: Rails includes numerous integrations to enable developers in creating rich, intriguing user interfaces. Integrated JavaScript framework is easier to activate and features elements like apparition progressive, drag & drop and many more to ease the designing aspects of the application.
  • Model View Controller design pattern: Rails is developed on MVC architecture that separates the development logics from the presentation layer. It provides a well-structured application to the developers and the code is maintained in a logical and coherent manner.  It encourages abstraction in the application and enables the team to work on separate modules without depending on each other. It focuses on the features rather than minute details. Rails framework delivers ease of project development, conciseness and faster deployment of application.

Rails Development makes web app development easier because it involves less coding while implementing new changes and updates into the development process. It enables the organizations to meet all the business requirements within the budget and schedule.