Ruby on Rails Development - Things to Avoid

As an open source web application development framework, Ruby on Rails (ROR) helps developers to curtail the amount of time and efforts required for building modern internet apps and websites. The framework, which is written in Ruby programming language, also supports a number of software engineering patterns including Model-View-Controller (MVC), Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY), and Convention over Configuration (CoC). So unlike other web development frameworks, ROR does not require programmers to write longer lines of code to accomplish lengthy and complex processes. However, the ROR developers still need to identify and avoid some common mistakes to simplify development of large and complex web applications.

5 Common Programming Mistakes Ruby on Rails Developers Must Avoid

1) Putting Additional Logic in the Model, View or Controller

As noted earlier, ROR supports several software engineering patterns including Model-View-Controller (MVC). The pattern makes it easier for developers to keep business logic separate from the presentation. But often programmers move too much logic into the model, view or controller. So it becomes difficult for others to modify and update the code base in future. That is why; you need to ensure that the model, view or controller contains only the most relevant, and specific types of logic.

2) Dumping Additional Functionality into Helper Classes

Ruby on Rails further emphasizes on using named components of the MVC framework. So the programmers can easily decide the methods in classes belonging to model, view or controller. But they still have to use custom functions that do not fit into the model, view or controller. So often developers dump these functions into the helper directory and helper class created by the ROR each time new resources are generated. Despite being a convenient place to dump these functions, helper classes can affect the ROR application’s performance. So you must consider creating your own classes, and add proper directories to contain specific functionalities.

3) Using Gems Unnecessarily

ROR makes it easier for programmers to accomplish tasks by using a variety of gems. But developers often forget to evaluate the relevance of a gem while using it for complex applications. Often the additional gems results in Gemfile that is larger than the functionality of individual gems. Also, the excessive use of gems results increases the size of Rails process substantially. The increased process further affects the ROR application’s overall performance and speed. Therefore, while using a gem you must evaluate the increase in overheads.

4) Paying Attention to Log File Information

Ruby on Rails allows programmers to access detailed log files during both development and production. But programmers often ignore the significance of information contained in these log files. They can always effectuate the development and testing of web application by checking the information contained in these files. You can always evaluate the log files to identify and fix the inefficiencies in your code. Also, the log files will help you in determining the performance of the web application before it goes live. On the whole, the log files must be evaluated to deliver a flawless web application.

5) Ignoring the Default Automated Test Capabilities of ROR

Unlike other web application development frameworks, ROR comes with default automated test capabilities. But many developers prefer using additional test automation tools to evaluate the ROR application’s look, feel, functionality and performance. You must use these test capabilities of ROR to identify and fix the bugs in the application in the early stages of development. At the same time, you must validate each action in the controller by writing at least a single high-level integration test. The high-level integration tests can be further modified and extended by programmers in future to verify the basic functionality of the application.

It is also important for developers to focus on improving the performance of the ROR application. They must choose the right tools to reduce memory consumption. However, the developers can make the ROR application faster in a number of ways, including auto-scaling, fragment caching, and code optimization.

You can get in touch with a Ruby on Rails development company who can help you develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide Ruby on Rails development services. If you would like to know more about our expertise or want to hire a ROR developer for your web app development needs, please contact us Mindfire Solutions.