Ruby on Rails vs. Ruby: What’s the Difference?

If you’re new to the development game, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the different coding languages and jargon thrown your way. Java, JavaScript, C, C#, C++—there are tons of programming approaches with similar names. Take Ruby on Rails vs. Ruby: is there a difference between them? Are they related?

We’re here to help you get the answers to those questions. We’ve put together a guide to help you find out how Ruby on Rails and Ruby are related and what each of them does. You’ll get background on Ruby and learn how it works with Rails. And, you’ll discover how the two approaches work together to help build your favorite apps and sites. It’ll be a funky good time, so let’s get this party started!  

What is Ruby?

Ruby is a scripting language and has been a foundational element of software development for the past 20 years. You’ll find Ruby’s fingerprints all over your favorite apps and sites.

Like many other languages, Ruby originates from C, the venerable code that birthed a zillion children. Ruby is an open-source, multi-use language and competes with Python and other rivals. You can use Ruby to create apps, sites, and backend scripts. It’s a powerful and versatile programming tool that sees a lot of use.

What Is Ruby on Rails Used For?

What is Ruby on Rails? Rails is a series of libraries built using Ruby. When you combine Ruby with Rails, you enhance the original language a bunch and make it perfect for working on modern sites. It’s versatile, too—you can work with Ruby on Rails using HTML, and it makes an excellent language for writing database calls and server-side apps.

Rails adds a lot of functionality to Ruby. When you work with Ruby on Rails, you follow the core concepts of Convention over Configuration and Don’t Repeat Yourself. Both concepts emphasize efficiency and waste reduction, which makes Ruby on Rails a fantastic choice for companies that want to produce quality work for minimum investment.

So that’s what Ruby on Rails is used for. Programming newbies are often blown away by how many language names and concepts seem to use the same names. We recognize how tough it can be to know which languages are related, and we try to help you understand how Ruby on Rails vs. Ruby works. Before long, you’ll have it all clear in your mind and ready to jump into coding feet-first.