Ruby On Rails Vs Javascript: Which Is The Best For Business?

Product owners find it difficult to decide between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript. In this blog post, we have analyzed Ruby on Rails and JavaScript. We have looked at various factors for comparison. Don’t delay. Explore to find and choose the most appropriate option for your project immediately.

What is Ruby On Rails?

Ruby on Rails is a framework for making web apps made in 2004. It is written in Ruby and it follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern.

Rails focuses on being simple and efficient. It prefers following conventions over specifying every detail. This helps developers start quickly. It also supports the “Don’t Repeat Yourself” (DRY) principle and can reduce code redundancy.

Active Record is a key feature. It helps interact with databases using Ruby syntax. Rails also has scaffolding tools for quick prototyping. These tools offer RESTful routing for creating structured APIs.

Rails has many libraries called gems. They are used in various projects for their productivity and flexibility.

Advantages Of Ruby On Rails

Ruby on Rails (Rails) offers several advantages for web development, such as:

• Rapid Development: Rails uses conventions and provides tools for code generation. This makes the development fast.
• Productivity: It boosts productivity with a clean syntax and many helpful gems. Hence, developers can write code efficiently. They can focus on building features rather than repetitive code.
• Scalability: Rails supports scalability with caching, background job processing, and distributed architectures. Hence, it is suitable for growing applications.
• Security: Rails prioritizes security and addresses vulnerabilities. This makes it a secure option for web development.

Simply put, Ruby on Rails is well-liked for web applications. It is because of its rapid development, efficiency, flexibility, and protection.

Disadvantages Of Ruby on Rails

While offering many advantages, Ruby On Rails also comes with drawbacks:

• Limited Flexibility: Ruby On Rails structured approach can limit flexibility for highly custom applications. If your business needs a very unique solution, RoR might not be the most suitable framework.
• Performance: Ruby’s runtime speed can be slower than that of some other languages. This may not be a major concern for most businesses, but it’s something to consider for high-performance applications.
• Developer Availability:  Finding Ruby on Rails developers can be more challenging than finding developers for some other programming languages like Java or Python.

Read more: Everything should know about hiring Ruby on Rails developers

What is Javascript?

JavaScript is a flexible programming language. It makes websites interactive and dynamic. Netscape created JavaScript in the mid-1990s. Now, it’s essential for the web, along with HTML and CSS.

HTML and CSS are for markup and styling. But JavaScript is a full programming language. It lets developers add complex features and behaviors to web pages.

JavaScript does many things, like handling user actions and changing web page content. It can also do asynchronous requests to servers, create animations, and more.

All major web browsers support JavaScript. JavaScript also has lots of libraries and frameworks. These make web development easier.

Read more: 12 Essential steps to hire Javascript developers

Advantages Of Javascript

JavaScript is commonly used in web development for several reasons:

• Versatility: JavaScript is functional on both the client and server ends of websites. This makes it possible to create whole web apps with just one language.
• Interactivity: It lets you make dynamic and interactive user interfaces. For example: doing form checks and showing real-time updates without reloading the page.
• Big Ecosystem: There are many libraries and tools for JS, such as React and Angular. These make web development easier and faster.
• Works Everywhere: All major web browsers support JS. As a result, code runs the same no matter what browser or system someone’s using.
• Asynchronous Programming: JS can handle many tasks at once without getting stuck. This makes web apps faster and more responsive.

Disadvantages Of Javascript

JavaScript (JS) is heavily utilized in the field of web development. However, there are a few issues with it:

• Compatibility Issues: Issues of compatibility may arise when incorporating JavaScript into established enterprise systems. Hence, you may need extra effort.
• Concerns about maturity: The different levels of maturity in JavaScript frameworks and libraries can result in reliability and stability issues.
• Security threats: JavaScript applications depend greatly on third-party modules. This raises the risk of security flaws. This is more accurate if the app is not effectively controlled.
• Scalability challenges: Scaling applications across multiple CPU cores can be a difficult task. This is especially true for high-traffic or large-scale projects.

Difference Between Ruby On Rails Vs Javascript

Here’s a simplified comparison table between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript. This table gives a basic summary. Choosing between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript depends on many factors to consider.

Aspect	Ruby on Rails	JavaScript
Coding Speed & Development Time	Faster due to conventions and vast libraries	Slower due to framework selection, but more flexible for unique applications
Performance	Sufficient for most applications, but not ideal for highly intensive tasks	Faster and more scalable with modern frameworks
Server-side vs Client-side	Server-side framework	Primarily client-side scripting language, but frameworks like Node.js enable server-side functionality
Development Cost	Potentially lower due to faster development and wider developer pool	Can vary depending on framework and complexity, may require hiring specialists
Security	Offers baseline security features	Security depends on framework and development practices
Scalability	Requires adding more server resources, may be complex for massive user bases	Modern frameworks offer horizontal scaling for easier handling of increased load

Here’s a more detailed breakdown comparing Ruby on Rails and JavaScript. It is based on the specified factors:

Coding Speed & Development Time

Ruby on Rails: With its popularity of “convention over configuration” tactic, Rails offers ready-to-use templates and features. It cuts off the developers from writing much of the code, thus enabling them to work swiftly. What is more, rail community users also have a vast library of reusable code modules that help to simplify development.

JavaScript: While JS in itself can be written fast, most applications need to make use of some specific frameworks and libraries. Picking the well-fit ones take some time initially, but the smoothness provided by JavaScript can be of good use in the development of highly specific applications.

Verdict: Ruby on Rails excels in rapidly developing standard features, while JavaScript is more flexible for unique applications, despite longer development time.

Performance

Ruby on Rails: Rails is a full-featured framework incorporating both server-side coding and data processing operations. This might not be so fast for highly intensive applications and, therefore, less performant in some JavaScript frameworks, which are optimized for speed.

JavaScript: Modern JavaScript frameworks such as Node.js employ performance and scalability to achieve higher load capacity. In addition to managing data flow in real time and dealing with intricate user handling, they are best for those applications that are targeted to be as responsive as possible.

Verdict: JavaScript frameworks are ideal for speed and real-time functionality, while Rails provides faster development and sufficient performance for most business applications.

Server-side vs Client-side

Ruby on Rails: Rails is a server-side framework, unlike some other frameworks, which are client-side. This translates to the code running on the web server carrying out activities such as database connections, user authentication, business logic, and many more. The processor is then used to process it and send the processed data and instructions to the user’s browser for display.

JavaScript: JavaScript is primarily a client-side scripting language. It runs directly in the user’s web browser, manipulating the user interface and handling dynamic interactions like form validation or animations. However, JavaScript frameworks like Node.js have extended its reach to the server-side as well.

Verdict:  Rails is work behind the scenes, while JavaScript is the actors on stage.

Development Cost 

Ruby on Rails: The fast development provided by Rails is often a big reason for the decrease in development cost over time. Additionally, Ruby on Rails programmers are quite handy, and compared with certain niche JavaScript frameworks, the hiring cost can be lower.

JavaScript: The cost of JavaScript development can range reasonably, depending on the selected framework and the application’s complexity. Although there’s a large base of JavaScript developers, searching for field specialists could be more costly.

Verdict:  For budget-conscious projects with standard functionalities, Ruby on Rails can be a cost-effective choice

Security

Ruby on Rails: In rails, security features have been added that defend against SQL injections and cross-site scripting that are common among web application vulnerabilities. While, on the one hand, constant monitoring and security updates are the key component of any framework.

JavaScript: The security of JavaScript applications depends virtually on the framework and development techniques used. JavaScript requires proper coding practices and security audits periodically to reduce risks.

Verdict: Rails offers a baseline level of security due to its built-in features.

Scalability

Ruby on Rails: Scaling a Rails application typically involves adding more server resources like CPU and memory. This can be sufficient for many businesses, but for highly scalable applications with massive user bases, it might require more complex infrastructure management.

JavaScript: Modern JavaScript frameworks like Node.js are known for their horizontal scaling capabilities. This means you can distribute the application logic across multiple servers, making it easier to handle increasing user loads.

Verdict: For applications expecting significant growth, JavaScript frameworks provide built-in scalability options, while Rails can be scaled effectively.

Ruby On Rails Vs Javascript: Which Should You Choose For Your Business?

Several factors influence the choice between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript. These include what the project needs, how skilled your team is, how much scalability you need, and what you prefer. Here’s when you might choose each:

Choose Ruby on Rails when:

• Complex Software Development: The Convention over Configuration approach in Ruby on Rails aids developers in following traditional programming principles. This streamlines the process and reduces potential vulnerabilities.
• E-commerce Platforms: Ruby on Rails offers various tools and features. These aid in creating strong web applications. It includes tools that enhance user experience and streamline additional operational tasks.
• Entertainment Platforms: If your company is growing and needs fast development, Ruby on Rails is the optimal solution. It offers effective application security, drawing in users.

Choose JavaScript (Node.js) when:

• Apps for mobile devices: The JavaScript code in a mobile app allows product owners to manage essential client-side features. They back it due to its offline and frontend functionalities.
• Frontend Web Development: JavaScript programming language allows users to insert content into the document. They can do this without refreshing the entire webpage. Many websites utilize various JavaScript frameworks for the purpose of validating and supporting external programs. These programs are Flash apps, widgets, and PDF documents. 
• Online Games: JavaScript and HTML5 offer numerous benefits to product owners. They enable them to create outstanding web games. Additionally, the JavaScript Easel library offers enhanced visuals for top-notch game creation.

Conclusion

In summary, both Ruby on Rails and JavaScript (Node.js) have their strengths for businesses. Choose between them by thinking about important factors. Such as your project needs, team skills, and long-term goals. 

Make sure your choice fits your business’s needs for success in web development.