If you’re looking at programming for your website you may have stumbled across Ruby as one of the options to consider. We’re, going to take a look at Ruby, what it is, and when you should be using it for your own website, so you can make sure that you’re progressing the way you expect.

What is Ruby?

First, let’s take a look at just what Ruby is. It’s actually a type of scripting language that can be used to create your website from both the front end and the back end. Not only that but it can be used for applications as well.

What really makes Ruby a great option is that it’s object-oriented, high-level, easy to understand, and dynamically typed. In fact, it’s so easy that many consider it the closest you can get to just writing out English for your coding.

All of this means that it’s something that the average person will generally be able to use and understand. That doesn’t mean you won’t need to do some research and education in order to get there. But you can get a good foundation by just taking a look.

Where it Started

Ruby started back in the 1990s. It was created by a man named Yukihiro Matsumoto in Japan, and even then it was an open-source language. The idea was that he wanted it to be interpreted and he wanted something that would work but also be fun at the same time.

Other types of programming and coding languages were quite complex and could take a great deal of time and effort in order to understand them and know just how to create or write within them.

What About Other Languages?

There are a number of different programming languages that you can find out there, such as Python or C/C++. Ruby, on the other hand, makes it a whole lot simpler to get most of the work done.

With Python, you have to find a single solution to anything and everything that might go wrong within the coding. On the other hand, Ruby is designed to give you a number of different options for a whole lot more flexibility.

Compared to C/C++, Ruby makes the coding process simpler by getting rid of some of the extraneous things you don’t necessarily need. But this can be a downside when it comes to fixing problems and bugs, which could be more hidden than with the C/C++.

So, What Should You Use Ruby For?

You should use Ruby for creating web applications, data analysis, prototyping, and proof of concept. While it’s most commonly used for web applications it’s actually a great choice for any or all of these. And it’s been used for a number of different platforms.

For example, Homebrew, Metasploit, and Rails Web are each built with Ruby. These entirely different frameworks are designed in different ways and for different purposes. For example, Homebrew lets you install software packages directly to a Mac. Metasploit allows you to test the security of websites and applications. And Rails Web is a development framework.

Other applications that are well known and use Ruby include GitHub, Goodreads, MyFitnessPal, Hulu, and Airbnb. And these are just a few of the options. There are plenty of others that use this system and that you can continue to develop and exploit for yourself as you learn this language. But of course, you’ll need to learn about it.

Where to Learn Ruby

The good news is that there are plenty of places you can learn more about Ruby and just how to use it. The best place to start is always going to be free resources, which are often available online or even available through books, though you should be careful about physical books that can quickly become outdated when it comes to technology.

If you really want to get into the advanced features of Ruby you may also want to take a closer look at some of the more advanced systems online. There are paid programs that you can use to learn more or to capitalize as much as possible on your education.

For example, if you want to learn as much as you can as quickly as possible you will be able to take a look at some additional boot camps and online training programs rather than looking at some of the free resources. But don’t underestimate just what you can learn even with free options.

Should You Learn Ruby?

The short answer is that you have nothing to lose by taking a look at this programming language and seeing just what you could do with it. After all, having a good foundation with a new programming language, and one that’s more intuitive than others you may have tried, is definitely going to be a benefit to you.

Ruby lets you create some highly sophisticated systems and applications without requiring you to go through a lot of the detailed work that you would get with other programming languages. If you’re just getting started this might be a good place to start. Or if you’re already advanced and want to add in a few more skills it’s a good way to grow.

What You’re Getting

With Ruby, you’re definitely going to have some great additional features and you’re going to progress in some major ways. The best thing that you can do is make sure that you are getting into it from the right start. Look for some online services that will give you an introduction and see how it works with your programming style.

The way that Ruby works, and the more simplistic design, may be easier for new users to understand and utilize rather than those who have developed content with more advanced or detailed systems before. Either way, Ruby could be a great addition to your resume and even if you don’t use it frequently you might be able to get something out of it. After all, another skill is definitely not something to ignore.

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