What is Ruby on Rails?
Discover how Rails simplifies web development with its MVC architecture.
What is Ruby on Rails? is a free Ruby Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Ruby Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
1
What is Ruby on Rails?
Ruby on Rails, or simply Rails, is a web application framework built with Ruby.
It follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture and simplifies web development.
2
Benefits of Ruby on Rails
Rails provides built-in tools and conventions to speed up development.
- Follows the DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principle.
- Uses convention over configuration.
- Has a strong ecosystem with gems and plugins.
3
Understanding MVC Architecture
Rails follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern to organize code efficiently.
- Model: Handles data and database interactions.
- View: Displays the user interface.
- Controller: Handles user requests and updates models and views.
4
History of Ruby on Rails
Rails was created by David Heinemeier Hansson in 2004.
It was designed to make web development faster and easier using Ruby.
5
Your First Web Application
Rails makes it easy to create a new web application with a single command.
rails new my_app6
Key Components of Rails
Rails applications consist of several key components:
- Active Record: Manages database interactions.
- Action View: Handles templates and user interface.
- Action Controller: Processes user requests.
7
Database Management in Rails
Rails provides built-in support for handling databases through migrations.
Migrations allow you to create and modify database tables easily.
rails generate migration AddAgeToUsers age:integer8
9
Alternatives to Rails
Rails is a powerful framework, but there are alternatives:
- Django (Python)
- Laravel (PHP)
- Express.js (JavaScript)
10
Congratulations!
You have learned what Ruby on Rails is and how it simplifies web development.
Next, you will learn how to set up a Rails project.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “What is Ruby on Rails?” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “What is Ruby on Rails?” is free to read here on the web, and the Ruby Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Ruby Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “What is Ruby on Rails?”?
Discover how Rails simplifies web development with its MVC architecture. You practise Ruby Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Ruby Academy?
No prior experience is required. Ruby Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “What is Ruby on Rails?” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Ruby Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Ruby Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- What is Ruby on Rails?
- Setting Up a Rails Project
- Models, Views, and Controllers