Ruby on Rails or Node.js- What Should You Choose?

What is Ruby on Rails? 

Ruby on Rails is a framework for creating websites and applications. It is built on Ruby, a popular programming language. Ruby on Rails is used by many famous sites such as that of Airbnb, Shopify GitHub, Hulu, and so on. 

 

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a runtime environment for executing JavaScript code in the server-side of the website or web application. Today it is used by some popular brands for their site including PayPal, Netflix, New York Times and Uber. 

 

Advantages of Node.js over Ruby on Rails: 

Speed: Node.js has a much better speed than Rails is well-known for its fast execution. Its programming is not synchronised, and therefore it is possible to make the most out of a single processor core and a computer memory. It can handle the workload of multiple web servers at once and ensures that the app performs well even when the server speed is low. 

Single Language: Node.js is entirely dependent on JavaScript and therefore you can code on the front-end and back-end using only this language. Having a single language for coding makes the process of app development a more efficient one and is much less time-consuming for developers. 

Scalability: Node.js is highly scalable when in Rails scalability is a major disadvantage. It has a mix of workers and clusters that can be used to create more Node.js processes. The applications built on this platform are, therefore, easy to grow. 

 

Advantages of Ruby on Rails over Node.js: 

Made for Developers: Ruby on Rails implements the best practices in web development to make it easier for developers. It is highly developer-friendly and is also based on the MVC pattern. The framework ensures that building apps and websites is a fast-paced procedure and as error-free as possible. 

Infrastructure: Ruby on Rails has an extensive infrastructure compared to Node.js. It has a database of its own and also an integrated webserver. The infrastructure is highly advantageous to the quick development of Rails applications and sites. 

Database Migration: Database migration is also easier in Rails because of ActiveRecord that translates the difference among the SQL interactions in Rails. Developers can use the Rails language to describe the changes in database tables, and this saves them the time involved in writing SQL code. 

 

When to Use Node.js? 

Node.js is event-based, and so it is perfect for real-time applications that handle a high amount of concurrent requests and data between the client and the server. These applications are usually Single Page Applications or SPAs because they run on a single page. Node.js is highly suitable for them because it can handle the intense front-end processing that they require. Some examples of such applications include messaging or chat apps, video conferencing apps, and so on. 

 

When to Use Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rails is perfect for CPU intensive applications. It can handle images and graphics, along with other data. While Node.js takes care of performance and scalability, Rails focuses on development time. Therefore it is also most suitable when your time is limited, and you need to set up an application quickly. Further, Ruby on Rails has Ruby Gems. Ruby on Rails developers can install these gems in your app and avoid lengthy coding processes. It will save you time and help you add features to your app without hassle. 

 

Node.js is a comparatively easier platform for beginners because it only requires you to learn JavaScript. Professionals in the field can work on both platforms without much difficulty. So if you are a professional developer, your application or website depends on your execution of the framework and not the framework itself. However, in most enterprises, there is a higher demand for Node.js than for Ruby on Rails. So it ultimately depends on where you are working and the kind of project you are working on.