How can Ruby be used to build web applications?

2 Ruby web servers

Ruby web servers are software components that handle HTTP requests and responses between web browsers and web applications. Ruby web servers can be standalone, such as WEBrick, Thin, or Puma, or embedded in web frameworks, such as Rails or Sinatra. Ruby web servers can also use Rack, a middleware interface that standardizes the communication between web servers and web applications.

4 Ruby templating engines

Ruby templating engines are software modules that generate HTML output from Ruby code and data. They can be used to create dynamic web pages that display different content based on user input, logic, or conditions. These engines can be integrated with web frameworks or used independently. ERB is a built-in, easy-to-use engine that embeds Ruby code within HTML tags. Haml is a concise, elegant engine that uses indentation and keywords to write HTML in Ruby syntax. Slim is a fast, minimalist engine that reduces HTML markup and supports multiple output formats. With Ruby templating engines, you can create dynamic webpages with ease.

5 Ruby database access

Ruby database access is the process of connecting, querying, and manipulating data stored in relational or non-relational databases, and can be done with different methods. For example, native drivers are low-level, specific modules that communicate directly with the database server; ORMs are high-level, abstract modules that map database tables to Ruby objects; and wrappers are intermediate-level, generic modules that provide a uniform interface for different database drivers. With the right method, you can easily access and manage data stored in your databases.

6 Ruby web application examples

Ruby web applications come in all shapes and sizes, from simple and personal to complex and professional, from fun to serious. For example, GitHub is a platform for hosting, sharing, and collaborating on code projects, built with Rails and other technologies. Shopify is an e-commerce platform for creating, managing, and selling online stores, built with Rails and other technologies. And Codecademy is an online learning platform for teaching and learning programming skills, built with Sinatra and other technologies. All of these are great examples of Ruby web applications that you can explore, learn from, or inspire you.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?