Ruby on Rails vs Javascript: Which One to Choose in 2024?

When building an outstanding web application, two prominent options are often compared- Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript. However, the comparison could be more comfortable, as Ruby on Rails is a web framework and JavaScript is a programming language. 

As per Stackoverflow, JavaScript has more popularity than Ruby on Rails. But what would you prefer when building creative web apps for your next project in 2024?

This article highlights two strong and advancing technologies (Ruby vs JavaScript) that offer unique web experiences. Let’s explore all the details that you must know to choose one over the other.

What is Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rail, or (RoR), is a popular web development framework for building server-side web applications introduced by David Heinemeier Hansson in 2003 under an MIT Licence. RoR was designed to speed up the development of web apps. Built on Ruby language, it offers simple syntax focusing on the developer’s experience. 

Key features of Ruby on Rails

• MVC Architecture- The Model-View-Controller (MVC) structure keeps the code organized as it separates the application logic (Model), presentation (View), and user interaction (Controller), making it easier to manage and maintain complex apps.
• Convention over Configuration- RoR reduces the need to specify configuration details as there is a standard way of doing things, saving developers time and effort and promoting consistency across projects.
• Active Record- Active Record is a powerful object-relational mapper (ORM) that simplifies interaction with databases by mapping database tables to Ruby objects, reducing boilerplate code.

• Gem Ecosystem- Gems are reusable code libraries that allow developers to extend Rails’ functionality ensuring code reusability across projects. You can easily integrate gems for user authentication, payments, social media connections, email sending, background processing, testing frameworks, and virtually any web development task imaginable.

Advantages of Ruby on Rails

• Rapid Prototyping- Rails’ features, conventions, pre-built structures, and functionalities allow developers to quickly create prototypes and test ideas, making it an ideal choice for businesses where rapid iteration is needed.
• Developer’s productivity- Rails simple syntax, conventions, and code reusability allows developers to focus on application logic rather than the boilerplate code. 
• Large and Active Community- Ruby on Rails has an extensive community with unlimited online resources, including tutorials, libraries (gems), and forums. 
• Scalability- RoR offers several scaling techniques like horizontal scaling, caching mechanisms, and optimization practices, making it suitable for growing businesses. 

Disadvantages of Ruby on Rails

• Slow performance- RoR exhibits slower performance compared to other low-level frameworks, especially for high-traffic web apps with intensive computational tasks.
• Lack of flexibility- RoR has a strict dependency between components and models, making it suitable for general web apps. You cannot add functionalities or customize it easily.  
• Learning curve- Although Ruby itself is considered beginner-friendly, some of Rails’ concepts can be trickier to grasp for those completely new to web development.  
• Multithreading- RoR supports multithreading, but some of its I/O libraries lack support due to the global interpreter lock.

Build custom web app solutions with Ruby on Rails. 

[Also read- Ruby Vs. Python: Which Will You Choose for Your Next Project?]

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript (JS) is the programming language for client-side scripting in web development. It provides modern web experiences, making websites more engaging and user-friendly. With Node.js, JS can now run on servers too, allowing you to build entire web applications (front-end and back-end) using just JS. 

Key features of JavaScript

• Versatility- You can use JavaScript for both front-end and back-end development due to JS-based different frameworks.
• Asynchronous programming- Its non-blocking and asynchronous architecture streamlines I/O operations, ensuring high performance and responsiveness. 
• Rich ecosystem- JavaScript has a rich ecosystem, including libraries- React and Vue.js, which makes it ideal for building interactive and scalable web applications.
• JSON support- JS supports JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), making it easy to work with APIs and exchange data in a standardized format.

Advantages of JavaScript

• Full-stack development- JS offers a wide ecosystem, allowing developers to work on both frontend and backend, providing great developer experience.
• High performance- The JS V8 engine gets advanced with time, offering great speed and performance to execute apps.
• It runs right in your browser- You do not need to download separate software as JS code executes right within your web browser, making it convenient and versatile.
• Beginner’s friendly- Compared to other programming languages, JavaScript is considered friendly for those starting. If you’re curious about web development, JavaScript is a great first step.

Disadvantages of JavaScript

• Browser compatibility- your web app may not work as expected across different browsers, due to differences in how browsers interpret JavaScript code.
• Security concerns- JavaScript’s client-side support exposes it to security risks such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, thus requiring proper security measures.
• Callback hell- JavaScript relies heavily on callbacks for handling asynchronous tasks. Nesting too many callbacks can create complex and difficult-to-maintain code, aptly nicknamed “callback hell.”

Key Differences- Javascript vs Ruby on Rails

• Ruby on Rails is a framework built using Ruby and JavaScript is a programming language.
• Using RoR, you can build server-side web applications while JS supports client-side scripting. 
• RoR has a steep learning curve while JS is easier to get along with even for beginners.
• RoR ensures faster development with slower apps, while JS ensures faster development with faster apps.
• RoR is ideal for unique and less complex projects while JS is universally versatile. 
• Ruby on Rails runs on the Ruby interpreter on servers, while JavaScript runs in browsers and Node.js for server-side execution.
• Ruby on Rails uses threads with possible GIL limitations, while JavaScript employs an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model.

Detailed Comparision: Ruby on Rails and JavaScript

1. Performance

JavaScript outperforms Ruby on Rails in terms of performance. JavaScript’s asynchronous behavior enables concurrent code execution, leading to faster speeds. In contrast, Ruby on Rail’s synchronous execution architecture makes it slower. However, you can implement caching systems and optimization techniques to overcome these bottlenecks.

JavaScript- 1

Ruby on Rails- 0

2. Development Time

Ruby on Rails is praised for its quick development. Its convention over configuration approach lets developers concentrate on writing code rather than configuring the framework. In contrast, JavaScript’s numerous functionalities, like operators and HTTP query management, can slow down overall development speed, making it slower in execution.

JavaScript- 1

Ruby on Rails- 1

3. Scalability

Both frameworks have their strengths and limitations regarding scalability.

Ruby on Rails is scalable, but for larger apps, you need more servers or to scale horizontally to handle increased traffic. Vertical scaling, adding resources to a single server, has limitations, so extensive scalability needs thorough planning. JavaScript, however, is easily scalable due to its modular and flexible architecture.

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Ruby on Rails- 1

4. Security

Ruby on Rails offers built-in security functionalities for cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and SQL injection. This built-in security provides robust protection for applications developed with Rails.

In contrast, JavaScript’s security measures are relatively weaker. Due to its client-side rendering, it is exposed to attacks such as XSS and CSRF, making it important for developers to implement additional security measures and practices when using JavaScript for web development.

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Ruby on Rails- 2

5. Flexibility 

RoR provides a structured environment with built-in tools, but its CoC approach may limit its flexibility compared to JavaScript’s widespread ecosystem. JavaScript offers unparalleled flexibility through its vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, empowering developers to tailor their stack to specific project requirements.

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Ruby on Rails- 2

6. Architecture 

Rails follows the MVC pattern and emphasizes convention over configuration, providing a structured architecture suitable for rapid development. However, its monolithic nature may limit its scalability. While, JavaScript offers diverse architectures, from MVC to component-based, allowing developers to tailor solutions to their project’s needs. JS is suitable for microservices and serverless architectures, promoting scalability and flexibility.

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Ruby on Rails- 2

7. Use Cases

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails offers a robust framework for building server-side applications with robust backend support. Its convention-over-configuration approach streamlines development, making it ideal for rapidly prototyping and launching web applications. 

Rails improves database interactions, user authentication, and server-side rendering. It helps developers prioritize code simplicity, and rapid development while adhering to CoC conventions. 

Ruby on Rails is a popular choice for building- 

• Content management systems, 
• Ecommerce platforms
• Single-unit applications
• Quick Prototyping
• Data-driven web applications.

JavaScript

JavaScript is used to build dynamic and interactive user experiences on the front end. With frameworks like React, Vue.js, and Angular, JavaScript allows developers to create highly responsive single-page applications (SPAs) and progressive web apps (PWAs). 

JavaScript’s versatility extends beyond the front end, as you can use it for server-side development with Node.js, making it an excellent choice for full-stack development. It allows developers to use the same language and ecosystem for client-side and server-side logic. 

JavaScript is well-suited for building-

• Real-time applications, 
• Browser Extensions
• Cross-platform mobile apps.
• Game development
• Web-based applications

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Ruby on Rails- 2

Tabular Difference: Ruby on Rails and JavaScript

8. Cost to Hire Ruby on Rails and Cost to Hire JavaScript Developers

The cost of Ruby on Rails Development Services typically ranges from $25 to $200+ per hour, depending on location, experience level, and project complexity. While the cost to JavaScript Development Services generally falls within the $20 to $200+ per hour range.

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Ruby on Rails- 2

9. Threading Support

Ruby on Rails can handle multiple jobs concurrently, but using multi-threading negatively impacts performance in complex applications. JavaScript does not support true multi-threading either. While there are ways to implement multi-threading in JavaScript, they are less efficient than true multi-threading. Therefore, both JavaScript and Ruby on Rails do not explicitly support multi-threading.

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Ruby on Rails- 2

JavaScript wins here when we consider the overall scenarios. 

Top Companies Using Ruby on Rails in 2024

Top Companies Using JavaScript in 2024

Key Takeaways

• JavaScript is a versatile programming language for frontend and backend development with a vast ecosystem of frameworks and libraries.
• Ruby on Rails is a development framework for backend applications, emphasizing convention over configuration.
• JavaScript’s asynchronous nature enables efficient concurrent execution, ideal for real-time applications.
• RoR has built-in security features and scalability options, suitable for a wide range of web applications.

To Conclude, What Should You Choose Between Ruby on Rails vs. JavaScript?

Ruby on Rails or Javascript are trending and advanced frameworks for web development, with Ruby on Rails focusing on backend development and JavaScript on frontend development. When deciding between the two, consider factors like performance, development time, scalability, security, and architecture. The choice depends on your project’s specific needs in 2024.

For comprehensive project oversight and innovative solutions, reach out to OnGraph. OnGraph offers tailored solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency by re-engineering production processes, ensuring future growth potential for your business.

Also read- NodeJS Vs Python: Which One To Pick?

FAQs

Q1. Which technology should I choose for my new web application- Ruby on Rails vs. JavaScript?

Well, both technologies are suitable for different purposes. Ruby on Rails is a good option for fast backend development, while JavaScript is excellent for dynamic frontends and full-stack solutions. The choice depends on your project needs. Connect with our experts to understand your project scope and we will help you decide the best scaling and robust solution.

Q2. Which offers high performance- Ruby on Rails vs. JavaScript for high-traffic applications?

Javascript (especially with Node.js) is a perfect blend for building high-traffic, real-time applications. Ruby on Rails can handle high traffic with optimizations. We can ensure your app performs well regardless of the framework.

Q3. How will you ensure the security of Ruby on Rails vs. JavaScript for my web application?

Ruby on Rails has strong built-in security features. JavaScript requires careful security practices. We will make sure your app is secure no matter which framework you choose.

Q4. How does the development time compare between Ruby on Rails and JavaScript?

Ruby on Rails allows for faster development due to its conventions. JavaScript is flexible but may take more time due to its complexity. We will optimize development time based on your project needs.

Q5. Can your company provide support and development services for both Ruby on Rails and JavaScript projects?

Yes, we have expertise in both Ruby on Rails and JavaScript. Our team can handle projects using either or both technologies, offering you full support and quality development services.