It’s never easy to pick a programming language to learn. There are so many questions you have to ask yourself: How long will it take for me to learn it? How’s the demand in the job market? Is it easy to learn? Do I need prior experience or can I just start my journey with this one?
It’s also not easy to find the answers all by yourself. You need to spend a lot of time (that you may not have!) reading several blog posts to finally make a decision. But, there’s no need to worry because the search is over. We’ve done all the research for you and chosen the perfect language for you: Ruby. Let’s see why you need to learn it.
What is Ruby?
In 1995, Yukihiro Matsumoto created what would be one of the most in-demand languages of all time: Ruby. His goal was to provide a satisfying object-oriented, versatile language for developers. Ruby has established itself as one of the most widely used languages to build web apps because many programmers love it.
It is a widely used language that is well-liked in the sector. Websites built with Ruby include Apple, Twitter, ZenDesk, and many top online players, illustrating the flexibility of the language. Ruby is a general-purpose language that is more prevalent in business than in university or science.
Why Learn Ruby?
So, after this short introduction, let’s get to the main point. Out of all the languages out there, why would a novice or a master programmer choose to learn Ruby? Let’s discuss the reasons one by one.
1. Perfect for Beginners
Numerous online websites provide accessible Ruby courses and programs. Plus, there are a ton of online courses available for beginner programmers, as well as a fantastic Ruby community that is eager to answer questions and provide the latest info on Ruby improvements.
If you are just getting started, mastering Ruby coding gives you a simple and valuable entry point into the field. Plus, skilled Ruby programmers will find numerous applications for their abilities. Developers of all skill levels will enjoy working with the language.
2. Similar to English
There are many languages, and each one requires effort and study, but Ruby has several features that are especially helpful for beginners. Ruby's syntax is simple and easy to understand; it was created to be similar to the English language, thus writing code does not need a lot of memorization.
For instance, contrary to some languages like Java and C, you do not have to bother with finishing each line with a semicolon. And in contrast to Python, your code will still function even if it is not properly indented, but it's better to do so out of good manners. The key idea is that Ruby is incredibly intelligent and simple to write.
3. Speeding Up Coding
Ruby makes it easier to design applications. There are easy-to-find frameworks and plugins (referred to as gems), that help developers create app functions lightning-fast. The code base also features a sizable amount of open-source code.
Clear syntax and the lack of generic code save developers time and let them write code that does more in less space. Ruby programmers build software more quickly than those who use other coding languages and auxiliary frameworks.
4. Lots of Applications
Ruby is a popular programming language with many applications. Many large-scale websites have used the Ruby framework over the years. You can train to become a web designer, software developer, or data scientist by learning Ruby.
Ruby's performance in terms of speed and app design will undoubtedly make it valuable in cloud computing. As a result, mastering Ruby programming will bring you the confidence to look into job prospects.
Also, the future belongs to the inevitable dominance of AI, ML, and the cloud. Ruby is a special tool for automation because of how well it operates with structured datasets with its powerful collections syntax. So, we know that there will be more demand for Ruby developers.
5. Always Evolving
Ruby is a really powerful language. It blends many of the best qualities of dynamic languages with a few of the most innovative concepts from static languages and mixes them into a new object-oriented structure that is dedicated to completing tasks rather than creating a lot of code. There's a good chance that the Ruby language will increase your productivity.
Ruby is easy to use and makes it easier for developers to make adjustments to their applications. Developers understand that the majority of projects call for significant changes, which Ruby makes simple to handle.
Companies looking to grow their business in the foreseeable future may find Ruby to be of great use. The program is easily extensible over time, and updating processes is simple.
6. Easy to Tweak
Take a common scenario in programming: You start utilizing a system class or a class created by another person and realize you would want a different approach. You now have a few options on how to do this in different programming languages.
You have two options: either alter the source code or create a new class by deriving from the original. However, with Ruby, you don't need to modify the original source code of the class—even for system classes—in order to add a function. Ruby classes can almost always be updated from any place at any time.
7. Hot in the Job Market
The need for skilled and seasoned Ruby programmers is always increasing as more businesses decide to profit from what Ruby has to offer. Some of the most important projects and wages go to Ruby engineers. Coding can give you a wide range of job prospects if you are an expert at Ruby.
Leading businesses plan to develop new product ideas quickly through prototyping, and startups work to create products swiftly to capture market share. Ruby shines in agile development and is reliable in both scenarios. Therefore, it's no wonder why there's a rising demand for ruby programmers in the rapidly evolving IT industry.
In fact, based on Glassdoor’s latest data, a Ruby developer can earn about $120,000 a year on average in the US. Of course, as you gain more experience, this number can go as high as $203,000 a year.
8. An Amazing Community of Developers
The community around Ruby is one of the most vibrant communities of any programming language. A great deal of material is prevalent in languages like Ruby that have thriving communities. There are numerous online groups of supporters for Ruby who are ready and able to keep up the language over time.
Due to Ruby's status, there are many online manuals, classes, and coding bootcamps available. It's not that difficult to find a fellow Ruby programmer on the web who can help you if you have a problem. Thousands of programmers have contributed to the Ruby community over its decades of development.
9. Cloud & AI
The future belongs to cloud applications. Ruby's quality in terms of speed and app development will surely make it valuable in cloud computing. As a result, mastering Ruby programming will provide you the confidence to look into career opportunities.
The rise of AI, Machine Learning, and the cloud proves automation is the future. Ruby is a special tool for automation because of how well it operates with ordered datasets given its array-based syntax. As a result, there is certain to be more demand for Ruby programmers.
10. Perfect for New & Experienced Programmers
In contrast to Javascript, the Ruby language offers certain unique characteristics. For people who like playing with scripts and are more disposed to think in code, Ruby is a terrific choice. Although there are sometimes command-line tools available in this style of operation, writing your own scripts is more customizable.
Operating with this system is easy for most people. Many large and successful companies throughout the world, like Airbnb, Scribd, and a lot more, are built mostly on the Ruby programming language.
Given the high demand for professionals in this industry among start-ups, Ruby is among the hottest languages to learn. There are many online tools available to learn Ruby, and the Ruby community is particularly welcoming to newcomers.
Can You Learn Ruby on Your Own?
Well, yes. As we said before, Ruby is a beginner-friendly language that is easy to comprehend. Many programmers have learned it by themselves and you don’t need a college degree to learn or even use Ruby to earn a living.
You can set your own schedule and start developing your Ruby skills. Of course, you’ll need materials, videos, and guidance along the way. You can find them on a website or sign up for a course that takes you through the entire process.
How Long is it Going to Take?
To be honest, there’s no clear-cut answer to that because it depends on several factors. Someone may devote 10 hours a week to learning Ruby while another may only spend 5. Plus, having prior experience with programming and other languages helps as well. Another vital factor is your information source, i.e. the online course, that takes you through the journey.
Bottom Line
So, there you have it. These are the top 10 reasons to choose Ruby as your next programming language. All points aside, one thing is certain: Ruby is a priceless skill to have in the current market where businesses are ready to pay good money for those proficient in this language.
What’s even better is that Ruby is the perfect place to start from zero because it is easy to learn and use, particularly for typical web development and mobile development tasks. Also, it’s much easier to learn Ruby if you have experience with programming.
The only important thing is to find a reliable source or training program to help you get there faster. Not all courses are equal and you need to be careful about which one you pick. Luckily, we can help you with that. All you need is to get in touch with us.