"Ruby on Rails" or "ROR"is an open source web application framework for the Ruby programming language. It is often referred to as 'Rails' or 'RoR'. It is intended to be used with the Agile development methodology, which is often utilized by web developers for its suitability for short, client-driven projects.

Rails works with Ruby 1.8.4, Ruby 1.8.5, and Ruby 1.8.6. It also works with Ruby 1.8.2 but not the 1.8.3 version. Currently Rails public stable release is 2.0.2, and it is available by Gem download

Rails is a full-stack framework for developing database-backed web applications according to the Model-View-Control pattern. From the Ajax in the view, to the request and response in the controller, to the domain model wrapping the database, Rails gives you a pure-Ruby development environment. To go live, all you need to add is a database and a web server.


Advantages of  Ruby on Rails

Ruby is an object oriented programming language which follows the philosophy of convention over configuration. Ruby on Rails or "ROR" helps develop web-based, database driven applications.

You should get on to Rails because:

Faster:
Helps you develop web based applications almost ten times faster than other web based applications.

Buzzing Language:
Fewer Lines of code that means faster development and fewer bugs, thus the code becomes easier to understand and maintain.

Best Examples:
Some of the best applications are made using Rails such as;
a. LinkedIn
b. Twitter
c. Basecamp
d. Zvents

Architecture:
A strong architecture for Unit Testing

Usage:
Makes high end applications such as Business Intelligence, Analysis possible



Who is using Ruby on Rails?

Rails or ROR is all about infrastructure, so it's a great fit for practically any type of web application Be it software for collaboration, community, e-commerce, content management, statistics, management, you name it.

Some of the notable applications built in Rails include:

1. LinkedIn
2. Twitter
3. Basecamp
4. Zvents

Organization that have been using Rails include:

1. EA Sports
2. Yahoo
3. Amazon.com
4. BBC Network



Ruby on Rails(ROR) System Requirements

Rails or RORworks with a wide range of web servers and databases.

For the web server, we recommend Apache, lighttpd, or nginx proxying to Mongrel (or using FastCGI).

For database, you can use MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, or any of the other many systems we support. Just about any operating system will do, but we recommend a 'nix-based one for deployment.