While writing web applications in Ruby programming language, programmers have option to choose from several web frameworks. But the usage statistics posted on various websites depict that most web developers prefer Ruby on Rails (RoR) to other Ruby web frameworks. Rails accelerates web application development by providing a set of libraries and reusable code. The developers even have option to customize the full-stack web framework according to precise needs of each project. The popularity of Ruby on Rails will remain stable in 2018 and beyond.
The Ruby programmers can even use a number of integrated development environments (IDEs) to build, compile, and debug the web applications efficiently. JetBrains has developed RubyMine as an intelligent IDE with first class support for both Ruby and Rails. Unlike conventional text editors, RubyMine comes with language-specific features to accelerate development, testing, and debugging of Ruby web applications. These features of RubyMine enable developers to use RoR more efficiently to build a variety of custom web applications.
Features of RubyMine Which Makes It Useful for Ruby on Rails Developers
Smart Editor
RubyMine is developed with first class support for Rails. While using RubyMine, the developers can take advantage of a smart editor which provides a number of language specific features like code formatting, code completion, syntax and error highlighting and quick documentation. The language specific features provided by the IDE help developers to write high quality code and keep the web applications maintainable.
Smart Search
The smart search option provided by RubyMine enables developers to jump to any file, class, symbol, tool window, or IDE action instantaneously. The developers can even switch to usages, implementation, declaration, test, or super method with one click. Also, the feature makes it easier for programmers to navigate view, model, classes, and gem dependency diagrams seamlessly.
Code Smells
RubyMine further helps developers to keep the code base clean and maintainable by verifying the code thoroughly. In addition to looking for possible coding errors, the IDE further provides quick-fix options and on-the-fly improvements. The developers can even implement changes throughout the project by availing Rails-aware refactoring. They even have option to automate the entire code refactoring process.
GUI Debugger
RubyMine simplifies testing and debugging of Rails applications by providing a robust graphical user interface (GUI). The programmers can use the GUI to execute the code sequentially, set breakpoints, and access the required information. The GUI further provides coding assistance for a number of testing tools – Cucumber, RSpec, Shoulda, Test::Unit and MiniTest.
Rails Generator
The UI provided by RubyMine allows web developers to add new Rails entities to the project through Rails generator. The developers can access Rails generators directly and quickly from the IDE. They can even use the Rails generators to add new models, scaffolds, controllers, and similar Rails entities to the project without putting extra time and effort.
Rails Console
In addition to providing a GUI, RubyMine also enables users to accomplish a number of tasks through Rails Console. The developers can launch Rails Console directly from the IDE, and customize its fonts and colors. The console application further comes with a number of useful features like syntax highlighting and allows users to browse through the command history using up/down arrow keys.
Advanced Code Navigation
RubyMine comes with several code navigation features. The developers can use Rails project view to access the models, views, controllers, and migration, along with their content. Likewise, they can use the project dependency diagram to analyze the project structure based on project models and their attributes. At the same time, the IDE also makes it easier for developers to switch between models and controllers by supporting MVC-based navigation.
Workspace Customization
RubyMine allows developers to build web applications in personalized environment by providing variety of customization option. A Rails developer can use color and keyboard schemes to customize the workspace according to his personal preferences. Also, he can make the development environment more productive through the look-and-feel settings provided by the IDE. RubyMine further enables workers to use a unified user interface to work with multiple version control systems – GitSVN, Git and Mercurial.
Third-Party Tool Integration
In addition to providing several language-specific features, RubyMine also allows Ruby on Rails developers to work with widely used task runners and deployment tools. The developers can use Bundler to manage the Ruby gems used by the application efficiently. Likewise, they can use Rake task runner to group tasks logically. RubyMine further help developers to automate web application deployment through both FTP and SFTP. Also, the developers can manage the web development infrastructure using tools like Capistrano, Vagrant, Chef and Puppet.
However, RubyMine, like other IDEs, has its own shortcomings. For instance, RubyMine, as a licensed and commercial product, requires users to incur additional expenses. Likewise, the Rails developers need to invest in additional computing resources as the IDE consumes a lot of memory. But they can use the latest version of RubyMine to avail a number of new features like Docker compose, RuboCop inspection, and improved debugger. The new features make Rails developers more productive and accelerate development of custom web applications.
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