When it comes to web or app development, there is always constant industry growth, new frameworks, and updates of existing ones. Hence, it’s a no brainer why choosing a programming language is one of the toughest questions, given each of them has something to offer.

We’ve decided to choose two programming languages, Python and Ruby on Rails, to compare and answer the single question – what you should learn in 2021.

While many devs provide drastically different perspectives on each of the above-chosen languages, we will focus on a few main points (their strengths and weaknesses, use limitations, and reusability) to decide which is better for successful product delivery.

Introducing Python and RoR

Ruby on Rails is a framework that was built following the Ruby language and is utilized for creating web applications mostly. Its main focus is productive yet simple programming.

The RoR framework offers ready-made web tools, powerful code blocks, and great web gems to create applications fast and efficiently. Web developers can reuse the Ruby code and utilize it in other projects, as well as bundle the objects into various modules for a clear and utterly convenient project structure. RoR has been initially created to make the lives of web developers easier.

Python is a web development language served for general purposes. It is object-oriented and a powerful scripting tool. Python shows things as it is, focusing on readability. The used syntax is simple to read and utilize. Python is said to be one of those languages that are easy to learn for those who have little or no experience in web development and programming. Also, it’s very popular for modern solutions like Big Data, blockchain and cryptocurrency, ML and AI, tracking QR codes, etc.

RoR Vs Python

So is there any noticeable difference between the two and what makes them stand apart?

Flexibility

When it comes to flexibility, for those using Ruby on Rails, there is always more than one way to complete an action. The framework is adaptable and offers multiple methods and approaches to do tasks. While some will consider it a plus, such versatility might confuse those programmers who are new in web development.

Python, on the contrary, works according to a simplicity principle. When using the language, there always exists a single way to complete an action, whether it is using a built-in module to utilize a Python send email feature or writing a certain part of the code. The latter is considered less flexible in Python but is far more readable and easy to grasp for newbies in programming.

Learning Curve

Following the idea from the previous paragraph, Python is evidently the easiest among all programming languages. Programmers value its organized syntax, readability, and simplicity.

The story is slightly different with Ruby on Rails. While having a good syntax, the framework is more complex and requires additional understanding of the Ruby language and its independent concepts to master. While there are many beginners starting with Ruby on Rails, the framework is more suitable for experienced developers who will be able to utilize its functionality to its fullest.

Reusability

Reusability is key for any programming language on the market. Python has a lot of ready-made modules and codes that a programmer can access through a Python Package Index (PyPI).

The latter consists of more than 150,000 items and has a great filtering functionality enabling developers to select categories and filter things like development status, etc.

Image Source: Jeremy Morgan Blog

Ruby on Rails is also known for its Gems library with a vast number of helpful tools. Web developers can utilize the framework to install dependencies steadily in any environment. The only difference is virtualenv (Python) and rbenv (RoR) functions which help to bifurcate interpreters versions. The RoR function is said to be more complex than the one offered in Python.

Framework Community

Python and RoR both have extensive and active web developers communities that are diverse and constantly growing.

The RoR community is rather small but innovative and agile while Python has a bigger community due to its use in data science and academics.

Nevertheless, Ruby on Rails along with Python both offer learning materials and comprehensive documentation that are easily accessible.

Why to learn Python?

Python is a great choice for building cloud applications and working on scientific solutions.

The language can as well be utilized to develop horizontally scaled apps that possess elasticity and can easily manage workloads.

Image source: Studio Community

With Python, it is possible to go beyond application development. The language is commonly used in such industries as robotics, data science, and academics.

The constantly developing Python ecosystem enables a full development process control while the largest online community makes sure to provide developers with all the important updates and useful data.

Python is number one for data analytics, ML and AI solutions. For AI-based solutions development, Python has coupled with the TensorFlow library and offers built-in ML algorithms.

For data visualization, there is a Matplotib library to get use of. Python is usually the go-to language when data scientists need to make a prototype, analyze or process data.

Why to learn Ruby?

Ruby on Rails is one of the first choices when it comes to building web apps and high-traffic, complex websites. It enables developers to pay more attention to the business processes by spending less time coding.

Ruby on Rails has a model-view-controller structure allowing to bifurcate business operations, user interface, and all types of data.

Image Source: MLSDev

You can use Ruby on Rails for startups and rather small businesses as it is great for fast app development. It is very easy for web developers to create a quick prototype using RoR without the need to spend a lot of time and money.

Ruby on Rails enables programmers to build customized applications with great functionality as RoR is known for extensive libraries packed with useful gems. Each of them offers different tools and is able to speed up the overall development process.

In fact, a lot of e-commerce sites and streaming applications are usually built with Ruby on Rails. A few web apps created with RoR include Shopify, SoundCloud, and Airbnb.

One thing to remember about Ruby on Rails is that it will not be a perfect fit for those applications that call for full control over data integrations, program modules, or product architecture.

Final Comparison

While both Python and Ruby on Rails are innovative solutions in the modern world of web development, they still have a lot of differences and act according to their own philosophies.

The main aim of Ruby on Rails is providing developers with a creative and elegant syntax and make sure they have enough flexibility and freedom with their actions.

Python, in return, is more about obvious things and readable syntax. While RoR developers can choose among a number of framework approaches, those using Python will have a single correct method to accomplish their goal.

Ruby on Rails is perfect for fast web app development, while Python’s nature makes it a great choice for scientific and academic programming. Websites, built with Python, are more data-heavy and can easily handle huge amounts of traffic.

Wrap Up

While both Python and Ruby on Rails are innovative solutions in the modern world of web development, they still have a lot of differences and act according to their own philosophies. Whatever language you choose to learn, it is always about a problem you are willing to solve with it as two languages offer completely different approaches, hence will be suitable for absolutely different types of web applications.