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What is Ruby on Rails?

We at Bridging The Gap Technologies make use of the Ruby on Rails framework to deliver smart databases to our customers, but what is Ruby on Rails?

Well, Ruby is a programming language. More to the point, it is a scripting language. Ruby on Rails (or RoR, or just plain Rails) is an application framework, that specifically makes writing web applications productive and quick.

We make use of Ruby on Rails, because we feel it makes us more productive. This means that we can deliver your web application to you quicker and with less bugs.

For back-end databases, we use MySQL. This database management system is really geared towards the web, and most websites that are connected to a database, use it. It is very fast and very stable.

Hosting Ruby on Rails sites

This always comes up when we create a web application for our customers. Well, there are a few options:

  • The first option is to host with BTG Technologies. We have the expertise to host your application on one of our servers. You still have your own domain name (for example www.yourcompany.co.za). The physical application just resides on our servers. This is the least painful option for most of our customers, because we take care of everything
  • The second option is to host with an ISP that supports Ruby on Rails. There are several options for ISPs that host Ruby on Rails:
  • The advantage of using an ISP that hosts Rails is that your hosting is independant from your application developer. That's also all these people do, so they do it very well. The disadvantage is that you will have two vendors for your website (one for the application and one for the hosting). Some of these ISPs are also very expensive.
  • The third options is host the Ruby on Rails application yourself. The advantage of this is that you have full control over your hosting. The disadvantage might be that you do not have expertise in hosting or RoR hosting, and it might take your attention and resources away from your core products. To host a Ruby on Rails application, you will typically need the following:
    • An internet facing server, that is properly firewalled. Things are the easiest if this server runs Linux, Unix or OSX, but hosting on Windows servers is possible, just more complicated
    • Web server software that can act as a reverse proxy. This is most easily done with Apache.
    • A cluster of Mongrel servers to act as application servers for your web application. (These can be on the same server as the web server, or on another server, or multiple servers, depending on load)
    • A MySQL server for hosting the database. (This can also be on the same server as the web server, or on a dedicated database server, depending on Load)
  • Of course, if you want to host the application yourself, BTG Technologies can assist you with the initial setup of your hosting environment.