"Exploring the world of Rails. Any recommendations for useful SDKs and plug-ins to enhance my

After dedicating 6 years to C# programming, I am eager to expand my skills and knowledge. To demonstrate proficiency in Ruby on Rails and seize new opportunities as a Rails programmer, I plan to develop a simple web app. With the growing popularity of Rails, I want to ensure I am marketable in this competitive field.

Recently, I have been experimenting with solr and tomcat, and I aim to utilize solr as a search engine for a products database. This project will involve incorporating Java (tomcat and solr) and MSSQL for the web app since I work on Windows. A friend recommended exploring jRuby given its compatibility with tomcat, which would allow me to streamline everything on one webserver. Additionally, I prefer using Eclipse as my editor over other options. Although rails programmers typically favor prototype as their java selector tool, I am more partial to jQuery or even mootools. I have also come across information about jRails, which integrates jQuery into ruby applications.

Considering my setup with tomcat and jRuby in Eclipse, what recommendations do you have for managing javascript/ajax effectively? Furthermore, any suggestions for essential plug-ins, software tools, or tips that could guide me in starting off right with Ruby on Rails?

javascriptruby-on-railsrubyajaxplugins

Answer №1

When it comes to JavaScript and ajax, I believe sticking with jQuery is the way to go. RJS/Prototype seems to be losing popularity in favor of jQuery, at least in my observation. jRails could come in handy if you want to use RJS to generate JavaScript from Ruby code. Personally, I prefer keeping all my JavaScript in application.js and following an unobtrusive approach.

Some plugins that I find useful include Authlogic, Nifty Generators, Paperclip, ssl_requirement, subdomain-fu, and QueryTrace.

If you're just starting out, some good resources to check out are Rails Guides and Railscasts. It's beneficial to learn the language first before diving into the framework, although it's possible to create a simple Rails application with minimal Ruby knowledge.

Regarding your application stack, I would recommend reconsidering deploying a Rails app on Windows. Developing on Windows may also prove challenging. If feasible, setting up a VM or using Ubuntu with MySQL would be a smoother experience. For full-text search in Rails, consider using Thinking Sphinx - you can view a relevant Railscast for more information. Also, I suggest trying a Text Editor instead of a full IDE - TextMate on OS X and gedit on Linux are my personal favorites.

As someone with a Microsoft background who transitioned to learning Rails, I had quite a lot to absorb - from moving away from a stateful web concept (asp.net) to mastering a new language, framework, improving CSS/HTML/JavaScript skills, adapting to new operating systems (OS X and Linux in my case), and delving into different databases. Overall, I'm extremely glad I made the switch as it has made me a better developer.

Answer №2

To enhance your marketability, it's recommended to first master the fundamentals by learning the basic Rails stack, which has wide appeal. Once you have a solid grasp on that, you can then consider acquiring more specialized skills to increase your value to specific clients or employers.

Focus on familiarizing yourself with MRI 1.8.6/7, Rails 2.3.4 (explore HAML and rspec in addition to erb and test/unit), and MySQL within an Apache *nix environment.

Avoid investing too much time in understanding how to deploy on a Windows stack, as servers predominantly use Linux or other *nix systems. While developing on Windows is feasible, keep in mind that the majority of Ruby/Rails developers are OSX or Linux users, which may result in delayed updates for Windows users.

While MSSQL can be integrated with Rails successfully, exercise caution when using platform-specific features as they may complicate deployment onto a mixed Win-*nix setup. It's generally advisable to focus on the platform most commonly used by your target audience to simplify the process.

Although Eclipse is a reliable development environment, its compatibility with Rails plugins is uncertain. If you prefer working with an IDE, explore alternative options suggested in relevant discussions on Stack Overflow.

Answer №3

Implementing Solr in your project doesn't necessarily mean relying on a Java stack to run the Rails app. Thankfully, there are numerous Ruby libraries available that make it easier to interact with the Solr backend. Here are a few worth exploring:

  • solr-ruby – This official client library is part of the Solr distribution. While more low-level compared to other options, it offers flexibility in achieving your goals.
  • rsolr – Another lower-level alternative that seems to be an updated replacement for solr-ruby.
  • sunspot – Although I haven't personally used it, sunspot appears to be the most popular Solr => Ruby object mapping library currently. The acts_as_solr library was also an option in the past, but seems to have lost popularity since then.

I echo the sentiments of others suggesting a C Ruby / *NIX environment as the target. However, if experimenting with Tomcat/JRuby helps enhance your learning experience, don't hesitate to give it a try.

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