Rails for everything?

Posted by JohnP 09/23/2007 at 10:09

According to this article, Rails isn’t the greatest thing since sliced bread or fire. Here’s the summary:

  1. Heard that RoR was the quickest way to a production web site. Decided to use it.
  2. Hire ‘’a GREAT Rails programmer’’
  3. Spend 2 years trying to create the web site; used all sorts of back door Rails hacks to get it working some. Entire industry changes directions.
  4. Never actually finish – give up.
  5. Quietly start hacking using a language that he knew, PHP, alone, … 3 months later, done.

What did he learn?

  • whatever language you already know is probably a better choice.
  • The ideas that Rails provides – Model, View, Controller are really good.
  • OOP is really Good – thanks Ruby
  • If you find yourself fighting with Rails, drop it and use the language where you don’t have to fight.

A good book on the subject (get the 2nd edition)