Monday, 30 June 2014

What Differentiates ROR 4 from ROR 3?

Rails e-commerce site development
As an open source full-stack framework, Ruby on Rails (RoR) is widely used by developers across the worlds to rapidly develop web application. Along with featuring an independent routing system, RoR also supports popular software engineering patterns like model-view-controller (MVC), don't repeat yourself (DRY) and convention over configuration (CoC). The developers also have option to choose from different versions of the Ruby programming language based web application development platforms, including RoR 3 and RoR 4. If you are yet to migrate to the most recent version of Ruby on Rails, it is important to understand some of the features that differentia these two versions.

Some Major Features that Differentiate RoR 4 from RoR 3

Changed Mass Assignment Mechanism
The RoR 4 comes with completely revamped mass assignment mechanisms. The mechanism can still be used to feed unfiltered params to the model by putting into a gem. However, the hashes need to be generated by using the require and permit methods on the param hash. The model will also support the hashes generated in a new way. The change makes it easier for programmers to separate model from the user interface. They can simply state the attributes to be updated explicitly to eliminate mass assignment security risk.

Turbolink
The fourth release of Ruby on Rails generates normal HTTP links using JavaScript. While serving the web page initially, it generates normal links. But when a user clicks on a link, it deleted all markups and updates the URL displayed in the address bar with the markup generated from the HTTP reply. The feature makes it easier for developers to increase the speed of their web applications. As the browser is not required to check the changes in CSS and JavaScript files, no additional requests are sent to the server. A single request from the browser can generate and deliver the results more efficiently.

Default Thread Safety
By default, RoR 4 is designed as a thread-safe development framework. So the same Ruby process can now quickly process multiple requests on threaded HTTP servers. However, the feature does not make all gems used by the application thread-safe. Also, the application code cannot maintain its states automatically. So the programmers need to ensure that individual gems are thread safe to avoid problems when the application code interacts with any global variables or class variables. The feature must be used carefully to avoid data corruption and application crashes.

Live Streaming
The most recent version of Rails also supports live HTTP streaming. The HTTP streaming feature can be used by web application developers to doll out response to a user request over a time. So the user requests are not required to be responded at once. During the streaming process, RoR will simultaneously produce output, wait for new data generation, and continue streaming new output after waiting for a specific amount of time. The feature can be used by programmers to optimize the performance of RoR applications that use streaming videos and media.

Improved Cookies Serialize
RoR 4.1 also serialized cookies in a completely different way to make the web applications more secure and stable. Earlier, the objects placed inside cookies Hash were being serialized and deserialized by RoR programmers through Marshal.dump and Marshal.load. The method was prone to the risk of remote code execution by attackers. The most recent version of RoR comes with an improved JSON serializer that supports simple JSON data types like string and integer. Thus, the complex objects that can be used by attackers cannot be generated. The programmers also have option to use a hybrid serializer to smoothly convert their existing marshalled cookies into JSON cookies.

The fourth release of Ruby on Rails intends to keep the primary codebase lean by pushing several features of RoR 3 into separate gems. At the same time, RoR 4 has evolved as a more modular web application development framework with major changes in its internal architecture. You can get in touch with a ruby on rails development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide Rails e-commerce site development services. If you would like to hire Ruby on Rails developers for your development needs, please contact Mindfire Solutions.

Monday, 5 May 2014

Ruby on Rails - Some practices to avoid

Rails Web development
The web framework of Ruby on Rails is open source and optimized so that sustainable productivity is inspired in programmers. It favours convention instead of configuration so that beautiful code can be written. However, those who are new to the framework find that there are some preferred ways to accomplish a task given; knowing about them is absolutely imperative since otherwise a lot of problems crop up. If you know how to handle a particular task and how to approach it, then the task becomes really smooth; then you will be able to write clean, more secure as well as maintainable codes. In order to write the best codes, here are some practices that you must always avoid.

Do not Rescue everything- The individual controller actions should not be embedded with rescues. Some edge cases may require stuff to be rescued specifically during actions but the entire controller should not be assaulted by rescue. In fact, a rescue must always be attached to individual exception as otherwise all exceptions are caught and then useful plugins do not get called. It leads to no generation of back traces which results in a scaffolding of handling error and then finding of collapses, leaving us with an inconsistently failing mess.

No overriding of existing methods- This must be avoided like the plague. An existing method mustnever be overridden unless the existing functionality is mimicked completely along with tests to prove the authenticity. If there is a compelling reason for you to do this then the resulting method must be put in place that is very clear; it should be documented extensively as well. It should not be put in somewhere bizarre such as a plugin; if the code fails then you would have to research through a big winding backtrace to find the problem.

The controller must not be long- The controller should in no conditions, be more than 1000 lines long. For 100 actions there must be at least 10 individual controllers; 1 huge one should not have them all. If the controller has 5 actions then whatever goes into every one of the actions should be reconsidered.

Validations should not be in the controller- Nothing should ever be validated in a controller; there can be no excuse for that. For validations there are helper methods in the moles which are quick as well as easy to use.

The params hash should never be modified- All data submitted from request is contained by params hash. In case of modifications, it cannot be accessed by later codes. Instead the params hash must be copied and the copy should be modified.

Avoid using time_ago_in_words- Rails developers often use time_ago_in_words so that time such as “4 minutes ago” may be displayed. However when the server side attempts to calculate the time it becomes too expensive. So client CPU must be used for time ago calculation.

Kill chubby controllers- A controller should not have any business logic. Remember that there are just two functions of controllers- taking data from session or params to send to model and then deciding what the user should see. The necessary logic is performed by the model. Including anything else in the action is simply overdoing.

Avoid copying and pasting huge swatches of CSS and code in a view- When copy pasting the code, make sure to paste it into a helper that is easily accessible so that if somebody has to change the code’s instances, it can be done in one place. Even in case of CSS, you surely do not want to confuse people with its size as during modification it will be a tiresome task, so avoid copying out huge amounts of CSS.

There are still plenty of places where you might go wrong while coding. The only thing to do is to carefully consider everything and then assign specific roles very strictly. The conventions as well rules must be taken very seriously. Make sure that the final output is tested thoroughly so that there is little room for errors. You can get in touch with a ruby on rails development company who can help you web develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

we provide Rails web development service. If you would like to hire Ruby on Rails developers for your development needs, please contact Mindfire Solutions.

Thursday, 3 April 2014

Ruby on Rails - Is there any future?

Ruby on Rails (RoR) is widely used by developers across the world to build robust internet applications and content management systems. The full-stack framework is developed based on Ruby programming language, while allowing developers to create pages and applications using an independent routing system, without relying on the web server. RoR further supports several widely used software engineering principles and patterns like model–view–controller (MVC), don't repeat yourself (DRY), and convention over configuration (CoC).

However, each internet application developer, nowadays, has option to choose from a variety of commercial and open source web application development frameworks. So the open source framework must complement the ongoing and emerging trends in web development to beat competition. However, many reports have highlighted that developers will opt for Ruby on Rails in 2013 and 2014 to avail several benefits.

6 Reasons Why Ruby on Rails will Remain Popular among Web Developers

1) Faster Development
Developers, nowadays, have to create robust web applications within a stipulated timeframe. So they explore ways to avoid lengthy and repetitive coding. RoR supports convention over configuration that enables developers to avoid repetitive coding. Also, they have option to adopt agile development methods to plan and execute the entire project within a short span of time. The framework also makes it easier for project manager to break down the larger projects into smaller parts. So the developer can always deliver richer user experience by including fresh and innovative features in the application.

2) Flexibility
Unlike conventional web application development frameworks, RoR offers more flexibility to developers. The programmers can avail the feature to customize and modify an application according to the specific needs of the customer. In addition to making modifications, the programmers can further add new functionality to optimize the application to meet the changing business needs.

3) Reduced Development Cost
Despite being providing flexibility and development speed, RoR is still an open source technology. As the web application development is available freely, it can be used by the large as well as small and medium enterprises. Also, the developers can use the framework to optimize the application’s performance, security and speed without using any commercial tools. So RoR will remain popular among the developers and users who want to curtail development cost by avoiding non-open-source and proprietary technologies like Java and .NET.

4) Embrace Agile Methodologies
A constant increase is noted in the number of enterprises adopting agile methodologies of project management. These principles help enterprises in reducing project cost and time, while delivering high quality and user experience. Unlike other web application development frameworks, RoR fully supports agile methodology. Further, the shorter development cycles makes it easier for developers to apply agile principles to the application.

5) Enhanced Security
Many reports have highlighted how the applications developed on Ruby on Rails are more secure. Further, security patches have been added to the framework based on the security issues raised by users. The latest version of the platform called Rails 4 comes with security fixes for all the vulnerability issued highlighted through the Github hacking case of 2012. Rails 4 include loads of inbuilt security features that a developer can avail and implement properly to provide a comprehensive security cover to his internet application.

6) Active Community of Developers
Like other open source technologies, RoR is also supported by a large community of Ruby developers. The highly active and responsive members of the community help developers to avoid writing additional code for regular functionalities. At the same time, the developers can join the community to keep track of the extensions and enhancements, along with accessing the new documentation. As RoR is emerging as a popular web development trend, many developers are learning the innovative technology. The gradual increase in the number of passionate programmers will make it easier for enterprises to switch to RoR.

In addition to building internet applications, Ruby is also used by many banks and insurance companies to evaluate their frameworks thoroughly. The framework allows the application to be tweaked or changed in a flexible, effective and efficient way. So the programming language is used widely to test and optimize the performance of an application in a given infrastructure. The scope for innovation provided by the programming language enables RoR to complement the emerging trends in web application development and testing. You can get in touch with a ruby on rails development company who can help you develop applications which are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide Ruby on Rails development services. If you would like to hire Ruby on Rails developers for your development needs, plese visit at us Mindfire Solutions.

Thursday, 27 March 2014

The importance of learning Ruby on Rails and its scope in future

Ruby, the popular programming language was created by Yukihiro Matz Matsumoto and is commonly used for web programming. This programming language is extended by the software library known as Rails, created by David Hansson who gave it the name Ruby on Rails or RoR. This full-stack framework covers both back as well as front end design, installed with the help of command-line interface operating system. RoR combines Ruby along with CSS, JavaScript as well as HTML so that web applications running on web server can be created. Sites such as Basecamp, Twitter, etc have used this language as its base, making this a potent tool. Its popularity has made it very important to start learning the language. As it is, there is a war going on between PHP and RoR; in this war, slowly PHP seems to be losing its importance. Here are some reasons that make it important for you to start implementing RoR.

Feature-filled language- It is quite impressive, combining some really great features of all dynamic languages, taking ideas from the best, strongly-typed as well as static languages to blend them into an object-oriented paradigm to get maximum things done without writing a huge amount of code. The code is less but better-structured which makes editing, reusing, experimentation as well as iteration quite easy.

Open source- This language is open source; not only that, the community around it, is helpful as well as thriving. The language itself is great with a really idealistic user experience, which makes it attractive to be used by new developers.

Code-based data model- For Ruby on Rails, data model has to be defined with code. After the creation of initial data model, changes must be made with the help of scripts to manipulate the model.

Well documented- The language is extremely well documented. The web contains a huge number of resources like high quality, effective and fun to follow video tutorials which are available both for pay as well as free. These are better than many books. There are huge support groups as well as communities which can help you in case you are facing some kind of problem.

Tool options- The system is relatively simple with a good amount of IDEs for development. Additionally, the ecosystem of RoR has plenty of excellent tools which fulfill almost any need that they arise in the minds of a developer; on top of that most of those tools are open source or free. So this is good place to work if you want an ecosystem that boasts of topflight tools support.

Rapid development model- Convention and not configuration is what decides the development model of Ruby on Rails. This simply means that once you have learned to do things in the way that the language expects you to do, then many heavy lifting will be done by it on your behalf. Your work will be very quick, especially in case of many kinds of development tasks.

Advantages over PHP- There are a number of advantages to using this platform instead of PHP. One of them is that developers do not simply like using it anymore; their impatience as well as frustration has grown with the language. PHP is very easy to use with lax rules which makes it easy for your to write bad codes. In fact, in case of alterations, additions or catching of random bugs, correcting everything becomes time consuming as well as expensive.

One thing of concern is that it may prove to be slightly difficult to learn. However, it is not impossible and a little concentration is all that it will take to master the language. The other alternative option is to use PHP but as illustrated in the earlier point, PHP is gradually becoming obsolete. So Ruby on Rails development is a must-do thing if you want to stay in sync with the changing times.

We provide Rails development services. If you would like to hire certified Rails developers for your development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Hire Ruby on rails developer


If you are planning to hire Ruby onrails developers . Since its (RoR) public release in 1995, Ruby on Rails developers have creatively experimented with the application framework to make it highly competitive and user-friendly. Also known as RoR, Ruby on Rails is an open source web development software that uses the Ruby programming language. It uses the model-view-controller (MVC) architectural pattern for independent input and presentation environments. Rails framework incorporates a fully-dedicated Ruby web server, Rake build system and a wide range of web development tools.

Ruby on Rails (RoR) is a programming language used to build interactive and engaging web applications. Rails is an open source web application framework written in Ruby language. It slashes development time and increases the simplicity of coding for dynamic web sites. RoR is a widely used programming language capable of providing rich user experience.

A Ruby on Rails developer has access to the following exclusive features over other programming languages:
  • DRY: The Don’t Repeat Yourself feature aims at minimizing the repetition of information of any kind. Ruby on Rails accesses information from the source database. Thus, a Ruby on Rails web developer does not need to specify information in terms of column names.
  • COC: With Convention over Configuration in place, Ruby on Rails developers need to name only related tables and the database is updated automatically. This helps in speeding up the coding process.

A RoR developer has to understand the underlying object-oriented environment. In Ruby, every bit of information and code is identified by their instance variables (properties) and methods (actions). It is tough to find an expert ruby on rails developer and more difficult to hire ruby on rails developer to work for your project. 

Saturday, 9 June 2012

Ruby on Rails application Development


Ruby on Rails, RoR is an open source web development framework, which has completely occupied the web application development space. Rails web application development framework was written using the Ruby programming language. The benefit of using Ruby on Rails as a framework is that it allows applications to be developed faster using simple methods. Ruby on Rails has created a buzz in the web development all over the world. With India as an offshore development centre Ruby on Rails development companies are mushrooming and the rise of regional blogs, social networking websites has created a common linking hub for everyone. With RoR, you will get an easy to code programming language. Simplicity is the keyword for RoR thus making the life of the ROR developers easy. In the present scenario the whole world of web-development is enjoying the fresh breeze of “RubyonRails”. Rails is a full-stack framework for developing database-backed web applications according to the model-view-control pattern. The real estate’s websites can be developed using RoR application with custom google maps. Another advantage of using Ruby on Rails is that it proves very useful while developing database driven websites and applications. It supports databases like Mysql, Postgresql, and Oracle etc. Ruby on rails development offers another interesting option. Websites that are developed in old technology can be migrated into the latest web 3.0 format using RoR technology. RoR offers an interesting framework which facilitates website development in much faster and simpler way. Another popular site developed in Rails technology is Flicker. With this database driven web application, users can even share photos on web.

Rubyon Rails outsourcing companies help to develop database driven web applications. Matching to the international wave of ROR, Indian techno-people are making a long lasting reputation by providing the best of their knowledge, technology exposure and experience. It is the best example of Offshore Ruby on rails application development company in India. They provides expert off-shore Ruby on Rails development services which is an open-source web application framework for Ruby programming language that enables developers to build dynamic, data-driven applications and hence generates sustainable efficiency. Practice of developing and maintaining Ruby on Rails based applications since many years. With an efficient and highly skilled team capable of handling the projects, Solutions presents itself as a strong contender for developing Ruby on Rails based applications with considerable size and complexity.