Ruby On Rails
From MashupCamp
Many have heard the hype about Ruby and specifically Ruby on Rails. But hype is hype, right? Can it really help out in the mashup world? Beyond the hype, there are several good reasons why Ruby and Ruby on Rails are a good choice for making mashups.
Simple XML Libraries. Many API's require some sort of XML feed. But creating customized XML feeds can be a royal pain. That's where Ruby on Rails comes in. Ruby on Rails has a built-in XML builder that makes compliant XML creation really easy to do. Check out this article for a more in-depth look at the XML Builder:
Even more so, the ActionWebService Library supports XML RPC and SOAP, making interaction with those services just as easy to do. And now, the creators of Ruby on Rails have stated that the next library, ActiveResource, is being built with REST, and CRUD in mind, thereby allowing an even easier way to integrate API's together . But if you can't wait to develop a REST enabled app using Rails, check out this article.
The Libraries continue to grow. One trip to the Ruby on Rails website, or simply entering in "Ruby on Rails" followed by the service you'd like to mash, and you'll see the plethora of libraries and how-tos at your disposal. Here is a just a small example of what is available:
or checkout the July 06 issue of Linux Journal for an easy tutorial on making a mashup with Amazon and Googlemaps using Ruby.
Why Ruby
Easy Syntax. But probably the most attractive thing about Ruby On Rails is how easy it is to implement any of these features. Honestly, and any Ruby convert will tell you, it would take half the amount of lines if not less to code an application in Ruby as compared to Java or PHP. So give it a shot! Its really simple. Download Ruby and Ruby on Rails from the ruby on rails website . They even have a One-Click Installers for Mac and Windows users. Then the recommended place to start is the famous 'Create a Blog in 15 minutes' quicktime movie
Get a feel for the syntax, fall in love, and start mashing! AlainB
