What are the current web development trends for the upcoming year? Each year, we’re bombarded with publications announcing the death of the Ruby on Rails framework. And each year it’s still with us! What’s important is that most clients are well-versed in their alternatives and still choose Rails. In this article, we’ll discuss what are the upcoming trends in development in 2022.

What is Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rails (RoR) is an open-source web application framework for creating Rails applications quickly. Written in the Ruby programming language, many people often mix the two, thinking of Rails when they hear Ruby. But RoR is a server-side framework, not a programming language.

It was intended to make web application development easier and to help in the creation of websites of any complexity. RoR was first released in 2005 and at the time, it was a highly desired and unique technology. It had a big influence on the web development community as a whole. Back in 2006, it was one of the most popular frameworks.

In the 2022 year, Rails marks its 17th anniversary. Many developers participating in RoR’s growth have assured that it would be ready to face the new challenges. Since release, the language structure has undergone significant modifications. Now it’s at version 6.1.4, which was published on December 9th, 2020. It’s reported that Rails 7.0 will improve it in a large number of ways. At Applover, we’ve been anticipating new releases for a long time!

Why Ruby on Rails is good for development?

When it comes to creating MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), RoR is a wonderful framework. Its ability to create MVP in the shortest time made it to the top of the developer’s favorite list and has been there ever since. So if you want to build an MVP web application and want it to be quick and high-quality, this framework is definitely worth considering.

Even though it’s a mature technology, Ruby on Rails is regularly updated with each release bringing new improvements and features. Technology that isn’t supported and the creators don’t pay enough attention to, becomes deprecated in the near future. But in this situation, it’s the opposite. Members of the Ruby on Rails community take pleasure in keeping the technology up to date and keeping it clean and simple. The “Convention Over Configuration” strategy is one of such components that most Rails developers like.

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Ruby is easy to learn, understand, and use, and it creates the least amount of coding. As a result, the development cycle is rather short. It allows developers to focus on creating more valuable solutions by reducing development time. Big brands and startups aren’t frightened about Rails and their web applications are not only performing effectively but can manage a large number of users.

Examples of Ruby on Rails web apps

Is Ruby on Rails still relevant in 2022?

Some may say that Ruby on Rails is dying or already dead. But Ruby on Rails is still relevant and is doing great! The old nature of this framework uniquely positions it for 2022.

According to the 2021 Stack Overflow survey, Ruby on Rails is the no. 1 highest-paid web framework technology. Every great developer, regardless of the technology they know, is pricey. However, the digital product quality can be ensured only if you use the skills of experienced top tech experts. Developers, like everyone else, are attracted to favoring new and intriguing trends. All evolves at a breakneck pace in the realm of web development, with new cutting-edge technology emerging regularly.

Even though RoR has always been about monolithic architecture, there’re methods for scaling it or removing its heaviest components. The crucial thing to remember is that, despite the fact that Ruby on Rails is almost 15 years old, it is still being improved to meet the demands of the company. According to some, it’s the most your business can hope for in terms of developing a comprehensive solution. You can explore the relevance further in our blog post article on Why develop an app in Ruby on Rails in 2021? 

What to expect with Ruby on Rails 7.0?

Evaluating options for a technical stack for any new project might be a difficult undertaking. But the Ruby on Rails web framework is finally getting a 7.0 update. How will it change development trends, and what’s going to be improved?

Asynchronous query loading

When a controller action has to load two unrelated queries at the same time, you will be able to use async to do so. It means that queries will be now executed asynchronously and simultaneously in Rails, saving time and energy.

Zeitwerk exclusivity required

The trusted old const missing technique, which came with some idiosyncrasies and missing functionality, will be completely replaced by the Zeitwerk code loader. All apps that are presently running in Classic mode must be switched to Zeitwerk mode to get the latest update.

Encryption with active record

The lack of encryption capabilities in prior Rails versions was one of the most visible flaws. To boost security, encryption helps to prevent data manipulation while delivering information over the internet. There will be encrypted characteristics from HEY added to Active Record so that your application may provide at-work encryption in addition to the standard at-rest and in-transit protection.

Errors in preview generation

When a previewer process ends with a non-0 status code, a PreviewError will be triggered in Rails 7. Developers may use this capability to plan for preview problems rather than deal with unpleasant shocks afterward.

Front-End Resolutions

Rails developers decided it’s time to move on from Webpacker as a go-to solution for producing contemporary JavaScript. Advances in browser support for ES6/ESM, broad use of HTTP/2, and the exciting new import map standard have been prepared for a no-Node approach to JavaScript (without abandoning npm packages). Yet, for those who require it, there has been greatly enhanced the interface between Rails and JavaScript + CSS bundlers.

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The future of Ruby on Rails

Even though Ruby on Rails isn’t a new framework, it remains popular among not only developers but also software organizations. It’s a dependable and strong technology, even in 2022. We believe it’s a great idea for MVPs that can be modified and developed later and we are expecting that more and more features will be coming for Rails. We often choose it as a primary technology because it allows us to swiftly write unique solutions that meet our customers’ business goals while staying within their budget. If you’re interested in developing your web platform, feel free to contact us at any time!