Is building a mobile app using Ruby on Rails realistic?
Anyone who succeeds in the mobile business will likely go on to dominate the overall technology sector.
Mobile apps on mobile operating systems are demonstrating the strong demand in the mobile market, with estimates suggesting downloads will increase from 140 billion in 2023 to 218 billion by 2024.
This figure is really ridiculous, and it continues to rise rapidly.
Microsoft was unable to keep up with Android and iOS in the smartphone market due to their lack of support for the same number of applications.
The destiny of the mobile market, in a nutshell, is determined by mobile applications.
For businesses to grow their market share and achieve their long-term goals, it is essential to develop mobile applications that offer excellent functionality and an unforgettable user experience.
We believe that Ruby on Rails’ powerful feature set and gem support make it a viable option for developing high-quality mobile applications.
But what exactly is it about Ruby on Rails that makes it so enticing for mobile app development? For that matter, what advantages does it offer?
In this article, we will cover the answers to these questions. We will discuss the advantages of Ruby on Rails mobile app development, why it is a great choice for the backend and how to make your existing Ruby on Rails web applications compatible with mobile devices.
Justification for Using Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails has been the leading web application framework since it was released.
In addition, it was the framework itself that helped spread awareness of Ruby and its use in web development.
Developers have come to appreciate the recent releases of Rails for the complex website development they enable, due to the introduction of features such as Gems, metaprogramming, Rails migration, and Active controllers.
As a result, it quickly surpassed JavaScript and Node.JS as the dominant framework for building websites.
It is evident that utilising modern technologies provides a wealth of benefits for online and mobile app development. Not only does this offer a range of tools for creating high-performing applications on both iOS and Android, but it also provides a competitive edge for those utilising the latest technologies.
If Ruby On Rails is so popular for web development, why is it so unheard of for mobile apps?
It is understandable to question why Ruby on Rails is not typically chosen for mobile projects. Primarily, Ruby on Rails is renowned for its use in website development, which explains its widespread recognition and comprehension.
And because of this widespread use, many mobile app development firms have ignored the market’s untapped potential.
Despite Ruby on Rails’ success in the online development space, most people still associate it with desktop applications rather than the many advantages of mobile app development.
It is a fact that Ruby on Rails can offer the same benefits of web applications to mobile apps via its efficient back-end implementations.
Alternatives to Mobile App Development with Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails offers a choice between two frameworks for developing a mobile app. It’s possible that you’ll have to choose one or the other.
- Create an online application that performs like a mobile app.
- Create a mobile app using Ruby on Rails.
Ruby on Rails and React Native are both excellent options for the development of mobile applications. However, they have different resource requirements and are best suited for different types of projects.
It’s also important to think about your intended audience and acquire a feel for their requirements so you can choose the best possible option.
If you require assistance, Works has experienced Ruby on Rails engineers available to provide advice on the best option. This is because the Ruby on Rails web app framework is ineffective without knowledgeable developers to build on it.
Implementing a Reliable Backend for Mobile Apps
When developing a back-end mobile app, it is important to assess whether the framework is able to provide the required infrastructure. This includes considering factors such as the data collection from users, display of content in response to user input, authentication of users, customization capabilities and more.
It is essential that each mobile application has the capacity for high-end performance. Furthermore, to access the stored data, a back-end API is required.
Let’s first define “back-end development” before evaluating Ruby on Rails’ potential for use in this area.
Where Backend Comes in & Why It’s Important
The application’s backend is responsible for managing and controlling data flow, user behavior, and a wide range of connectors.
- Synchronization of data between systems
- Potential for storing information
- Alerts and notifications
- Suppport for HTTP Methods
Construction of Mobile App Backends
The back-end infrastructure is comprised of an application server, a web server, and a database. If scalability is a requirement of the design, a load balancer and any additional service connections such as push alerts, email notifications, and queuing may be necessary.
What the app is designed to perform is the single determinant of the features and functionality you choose to include in the app.
Development of mobile apps’ backend systems
The backend technologies of your mobile application are responsible for facilitating reliable communication between your web server, app and database.
A number of languages, such as PHP, Ruby, Java, Python and .NET, have been developed specifically for server use. Additionally, tools such as MySQL, SQL Server and Oracle are necessary for locating, storing and modifying data, which is then made available to the user interface.
- Python, Ruby,.Net, Java, PHP, C++, and Golang are all server-side languages.
- GlassFish, Apache, Nginx, Internet Information Server, Java 2 Enterprise Edition,
- MySQL, MongoDB, Oracle, SQL Server, Redis, SQLite, and PostgreSQL Are Just some of the Database Servers Out There.
For Your Mobile Backend, Why Not Use Ruby on Rails?
Ruby on Rails is an advantageous choice for web and mobile application development, as it has been optimized to promote rapid development. It is compliant with common programming principles such as DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself), Convention over Configuration, KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete).
These guidelines are designed to simplify the process of developing back-end systems. For example, the DRY principle encourages the use of new codebases, while allowing existing ones to be reused where necessary.
The concept of ‘convention over configuration’ is advantageous as it enables developers to dedicate their time to creating new code, rather than spending it on complex configurations, such as integrating APIs and implementing security protocols.
Ruby on Rails provides an efficient and accessible way to make changes to the code or add new features. The data model can be easily modified, even after the program has been published. This framework is the optimal choice for the back end of Ruby on Rails mobile app development due to its stability and reliability.
Additionally, RubyMotion, one of its interpreters, allows for the creation of Ruby on Rails applications that run on both iOS and Android.
Furthermore, it provides its own Ruby Gems which can be utilized to extend the capabilities of a project’s Rails backend or for an iOS or Android app. Moreover, it offers full support for Cocoapods’ capabilities.
It’s perfect for building mobile apps when you consider all the ways Ruby on Rails can be put to work in the background.
Creating a Mobile App with Ruby on Rails and All Its Rewards
Using Ruby on Rails for mobile app development provides many of the same advantages as for web development.
Savings in Both Money and Time
Ruby and Ruby on Rails are both freely accessible to anyone who wishes to utilize them. Additionally, the Ruby community offers a wide variety of free plugins, gems and other code libraries to meet any development needs.
It’s also possible to beat project deadlines thanks to Ruby on Rails’ capabilities, which make app development very fast.
Using Less Code
Pre-built code libraries in Ruby on Rails reduce the amount of custom coding required and speed up the process of introducing new features.
Furthermore, it follows its own principles such as ‘convention over configuration’ and ‘don’t repeat yourself’, which allow developers to only write code when it is absolutely necessary, thus saving them from having to go through complex set-up processes.
Scalability
Your Ruby on Rails software has the capability to scale up as the user base increases. In other words, it is better equipped to handle incoming traffic while maintaining optimal performance levels.
Community
For developers who are new to a particular technology, it can be incredibly beneficial to have access to a large and supportive community. The Ruby on Rails community offers a wealth of helpful tutorials and forums, allowing newcomers to quickly and easily obtain answers to their queries.
Additionally, the Ruby community offers free Ruby gems and code libraries that may be used for quick mobile development.
Can Ruby On Rails Websites Be Adapted Into Mobile Apps?
RoR is built on MVC, so you can render and use frontend APIs anytime you need to connect your rails backend to your mobile app.
Here’s how to use application programming interfaces to adapt your existing Rails app for use on mobile devices.
- Just make the folder, okay?
- To > Make Available Necessary Means
- Create the Regulators
- To activate Rails migrations,
- It’s important to establish connections first.
- To Germinate Necessary Seeds
- > Create all required paths
- > Make paths in accordance with your undertaking
- Scatter the Seeds
- > Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS)
Frequently Used Mobile Applications Built with Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails is a popular framework for creating websites, but it’s also been used to develop mobile applications. The most downloaded applications created with Ruby on Rails are…
- Iterative Development Environment: > GitHub
- In the Case Of: > Airbnb
- > Campsite
- The Fiverr
- Drop the Ball
Conclusion
Ruby on Rails isn’t only great for building websites; it’s also great for building mobile apps.
Developers who are already experienced with Ruby may find it straightforward to transition to Ruby on Rails mobile app development, due to the close conceptual similarities between the two frameworks.
It facilitates the creation of mobile applications with features that don’t compromise on functionality.
By integrating Ruby on Rails with the Rhodes framework, Sencha Touch, and JavaScript libraries, developers have the potential to build strong, scalable, and high-performing mobile applications using Rails.
However, as previously stated, a framework such as Ruby on Rails will be ineffective without developers who have a comprehensive understanding of Ruby on Rails, ranging from its fundamentals to its core concepts such as APIs, databases, security protocols and the implementation of business logic.
When it comes to providing businesses worldwide with high-quality Ruby on Rails engineers, Works are a major contributor. Our advanced talent cloud screening process ensures that only the most skilled developers are available to help your team expand within 48 hours of your request.
