--- title: What is the difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails? description: Not everyone knows that Ruby and Ruby on Rails do not mean the same thing. Check out our article to learn the differences between them. image: https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/hubfs/Ruby%20vs%20Ruby%20on%20Rails.jpg --- [![Railwaymen](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Railwaymen_September2018/Images/logo_bia%C5%82e.png?width=260&height=70&name=logo_bia%C5%82e.png "Railwaymen")](https://railwaymen.org/) - [Blog Main Page](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org) - [About Us](https://railwaymen.org/about-us) - [Our Work](https://railwaymen.org/case-studies) - [FAQ](https://railwaymen.org/our-ai-knowledge-base) - [Contact Us](https://railwaymen.org/contact-us) ![what is the difference between ruby and ruby on rails?](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Ruby%20vs%20Ruby%20on%20Rails.jpg?width=1320&name=Ruby%20vs%20Ruby%20on%20Rails.jpg) [Business and Technology](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/tag/business-and-technology) # What is the difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails? - [Przemysław Łata](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/author/przemyslaw-lata) - [8th November '21](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails) Many people who hear Ruby and Ruby on Rails think that these two terms mean the same thing. While you might get the impression that the two have a lot in common, the reality is quite different. Thanks to this guide, you will clear all your doubts about this topic. Also, you will gain valuable knowledge, which may be useful when you choose the right tools for software development. ### Table of Contents: [1. What is Ruby?](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#pa) [2. What is Ruby on Rails?](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#pb) [3. Ruby vs Ruby on Rails.](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#pc) [3.1. Programming language vs web development framework.](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#pd) [3.2. Project use.](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#pe) [3.3. Development speed and script maintenance/](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#pf) [3.4. Flexibility of architecture.](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#pg) [4. Summary.](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/what-is-the-difference-between-ruby-and-ruby-on-rails#ph) ## What is Ruby? Ruby is an **open source** and **scripting software language** created in 1995 by Yukihiro Matsumoto. Written in **C language**, allows **support on multiple platforms**. Simplicity of use was the main goal when creating Ruby. It is popular among developers because it enables **quick creation of online applications**. Among the benefits of using **Ruby** are: - dynamics, which makes the software language like standard speech - ease of maintenance and scalability - scripting, which makes it possible to quickly create online applications - free open-source, supported by developers from all over the world - extra libraries to enhance its capabilities. Ruby's advantage over many programming languages is its **ease of use** and **intuitiveness**. Thanks to that, despite the passage of years, it is still used in everyday work. ## What is Ruby on Rails? Although **Ruby on Rails** has a similar name to **Ruby**, it could not exist without this language. RoR is an open-source development tool written in Ruby and released in 2005. It is not a scripting language. Ruby on Rails is mainly used as **a platform for creating web applications** which uses **a Model View Controller (MVC) architecture**. The role of **RoR** is to create **server-side scripts** as well as web applications. The reasons for using the platform are: - constant development of applications - the ability to create HTML code in scripts - good connection with databases. **Ruby on Rails** makes the process of creating websites easier. Thanks to this solution, programmers do not have to write the same lines of code over and over again. It is enough to **use** **default conventions over configuration files** **to streamline the existing coding process**. ## ![difference beetween ruby and ruby on rails](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/hs-fs/hubfs/difference%20beetween%20ruby%20and%20ruby%20on%20rails.jpg?width=500&height=333&name=difference%20beetween%20ruby%20and%20ruby%20on%20rails.jpg) Ruby vs Ruby on Rails After learning what Ruby and Ruby on Rails are, it will be easier to understand their differences. Here are some categories that differentiate the two tools. Let's take a closer look at them. ### Programming language vs web development framework Ruby is a **general-purpose programming language**. Like any language, it has its own **syntax** and **specific rules**. Ruby's mission is to tell the computer what to do and how to do it. It is a different case with Ruby on Rails, because i**t's not a programming language** **but a web framework**. RoR uses scripts created by programmers, but **it doesn't have its own unique language**. Being a web application framework, Ruby on Rails aims to increase Ruby's capabilities as a programming language. ### Project use  There are various types of projects that use these two tools. But, it is worth realising that **it is not possible to use Ruby on Rails without Ruby**. Sometimes it's more beneficial to use RoR instead of Ruby. Ruby on Rails can **streamline the code and speed up the development process for web applications**. The performance of RoR makes it a choice for [Minimum Viable Product](https://blog.railwaymen.org/how-to-build-an-mvp) (MVP) development. The advantage of Ruby is visible when developing desktop applications. Due to its server-side scripting, Ruby on Rails cannot do this because it primarily runs on a web server. ### Development speed and script maintenance As I mentioned, the purpose of Ruby was to **be an intuitive and simple scripting language**. While working in **Ruby** is fast, working in **Ruby on Rails** is even faster. Ruby on Rails was built on the principle of convention over configuration. Default conventions mean that **developers have more time to create the core parts of web apps**. As a result, they can use custom configurations. When listing the advantages, keep in mind that RoR's job is to make Ruby even simpler than it is. Ruby on Rails eliminates l**arge amounts of repetitive code and declutters the script**. This makes its scripts easier compared to Ruby scripts. ### Flexibility of architecture One of the key features of both Ruby and Ruby on Rails is flexibility. All of this is thanks to the fact that both tools are **open-source**. As a result, developers can use **HTML**, **Java**, **CSS** **and** **XML code** when doing their work. For those using Ruby alone, this option is not available. This confirms another difference that has an impact during **the** **app development process**. ## Summary The two tools, as you can see, are closely related. If it weren't for Ruby, Ruby on Rails probably wouldn't exist. That's why RoR is a useful complement to Ruby that **expands the possibilities**. The success of both solutions is the number of businesses that use applications developed on top of them. As the years go by, questions such as "[Is Ruby on Rails dead](https://blog.railwaymen.org/is-ruby-on-rails-dead)?" arise. But, the answer for many people can be surprising. Both **Ruby and Ruby on Rails** are an important part of **creating and developing modern applications**. Now, when you know **what is the difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails**, you can make the right decisions about starting an app project.  [check out our case studies](https://railwaymen.org/case-studies) [Business and Technology](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/tag/business-and-technology) [Web Development](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/tag/web-development) - Share: - - - - - ![Przemysław Łata](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/hubfs/przemek%20(1)%20(1)%20(2)%20(1).jpg) Author #### [Przemysław Łata](https://blog-hubspot.railwaymen.org/author/przemyslaw-lata) - Przemek (Content & SM Specialist) likes to learn about marketing. 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