Ruby on Rails is Definitely Dead… Right? (Spoiler: It’s Very Much Alive)

Let’s address the elephant in the room: is Ruby on Rails (RoR) dead? The answer is a resounding NO. In fact, RoR is more vibrant and relevant than ever, and if you think otherwise, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Let’s dive into why this “old” framework continues to be a powerhouse in the tech world.

The RoR Renaissance: A Framework on the Move

If you thought Ruby on Rails was on its way out, think again. Rails is undergoing what can only be described as a renaissance. The community surrounding Rails is larger, more engaged, and more passionate than ever before. This is evident from the rapid-fire releases of new versions—Rails 5, 6, 7, and soon 8. Each iteration brings substantial improvements, ensuring that Rails stays competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Take, for example, the evolution of Webpacker, which has made integrating modern JavaScript frameworks with Rails a breeze. Or the introduction of Hotwire and Turbo, which are revolutionizing the way we think about building reactive applications. These updates are not just incremental; they’re game-changers that keep Rails at the cutting edge of web development.

Rails Developers: Hotter Than Ever

If you’re a Rails developer, you’re sitting pretty. Rails developers are in high demand, and companies are willing to pay top dollar to get their hands on skilled RoR talent. The average salary for a Rails developer in the U.S. easily surpasses $120K, with experienced developers commanding even higher rates.

But it’s not just about the money. Rails is one of the most enjoyable and productive frameworks to work with, thanks to its principle of “Convention over Configuration.” This philosophy means that Rails does a lot of the heavy lifting for you, allowing you to focus on writing code that matters. Whether you’re building a startup’s MVP or scaling an enterprise application, Rails makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Real-World Example: Consider Basecamp, the project management tool that literally gave birth to Ruby on Rails. Despite being over two decades old, Basecamp continues to thrive, thanks in no small part to the ongoing improvements in Rails. Basecamp’s ability to scale, adapt, and continue to innovate is a testament to the power of RoR.

Who’s Using Rails? Everyone Who Matters

When people say “nobody uses Rails anymore,” they’re simply uninformed. In reality, some of the world’s biggest and most innovative companies rely on Ruby on Rails to power their platforms. Here’s a quick rundown of just a few:

• Shopify: The e-commerce giant, powering over 1 million businesses, runs on Rails. During peak times like Black Friday, Shopify handles over $1.5 million in Gross Merchandise Value per minute. That’s Rails at scale.
• GitHub: The world’s leading software development platform, hosting over 100 million repositories, is built on Rails. If Rails can handle GitHub’s traffic and complexity, it can handle just about anything.
• Airbnb: This global leader in vacation rentals leverages Rails for rapid feature development, allowing them to stay ahead in a highly competitive market.
• Hulu: The streaming service relies on Rails for key parts of its infrastructure, enabling it to deliver content to millions of users seamlessly.
• Fiverr: This marketplace for freelancers uses Rails to match clients with service providers in real-time, handling millions of transactions efficiently.
• Zendesk: A global leader in customer service solutions, Zendesk uses Rails to support their sophisticated customer support software.

Even developer communities like Dev.to trust Rails to deliver fast, reliable experiences to millions of users.

Real-World Example: Consider GitHub. The platform has scaled to support millions of developers worldwide, all while staying true to its Rails roots. The Rails framework has allowed GitHub to grow rapidly, add new features, and remain a dominant force in the development world. This is a prime example of Rails being used in a high-traffic, mission-critical environment.

The “Rails Doesn’t Scale” Myth: Debunked

One of the most persistent myths about Rails is that it doesn’t scale. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Rails scales just fine—when used correctly. The idea that Rails can’t handle high traffic is outdated and has been proven wrong by countless companies that use it to power large-scale applications.

Real-World Example: Look at Shopify, a platform that powers over a million online stores worldwide. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Shopify processes thousands of transactions per second, handling spikes in traffic that would bring many other frameworks to their knees. And it does all of this on Ruby on Rails.

Another example is Fiverr, the freelance marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers globally. Fiverr uses Rails to handle its complex marketplace transactions in real time, proving that Rails can scale effectively when properly architected.

Understanding Where Rails Shines

No framework is perfect, and Rails is no exception. It’s not the best choice for every type of application, and that’s okay. What’s important is to understand where Rails truly shines.

Rails excels in rapid application development. If you’re building an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or need to get a new feature out the door quickly, Rails is your best friend. Its rich ecosystem of gems (libraries) allows you to add functionality with minimal effort, and its developer-friendly syntax means you can focus on what matters most—building a great product.

Real-World Example: When Basecamp decided to build a new email service, Hey.com, they chose Rails. The reason? Speed and flexibility. With Rails, they were able to bring their product to market quickly, iterating on features as they gathered user feedback. The result is a service that’s not only robust but also beloved by its users.

The Future of Rails: A Framework with Staying Power

So, where is Ruby on Rails headed? The future looks bright. As long as there’s a need for a framework that prioritizes developer happiness, rapid development, and a thriving community, Rails will continue to thrive. The tech landscape is always evolving, but Rails has shown time and again that it can adapt and remain relevant.

New tools and libraries are constantly being developed for Rails, and the community is as active as ever. With the upcoming release of Rails 8, which promises even more improvements and features, the framework is poised to continue its strong run well into the future.

Prediction: In the coming years, we’ll see Rails continue to be a top choice for startups and enterprises alike. Its ability to rapidly prototype, scale, and integrate with other technologies makes it a versatile tool that will remain in demand. The rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated—Rails isn’t going anywhere.

So, if your team is considering Ruby on Rails for your next project, don’t hesitate. It’s alive, well, and ready to help you build something amazing.