Home>Courses>Creating Long-Lived Web Apps with Ruby on Rails

Creating Long-Lived Web Apps with Ruby on Rails

Gain insights into maintaining complex Rails apps with consistency and sustainability. Learn about separating business logic, applying pragmatic techniques, and effective testing for long-lived, maintainable projects.

Intermediate

170 Lessons

75h

Certificate of Completion

AI-POWERED

Explanations

AI-POWERED

Explanations

This course includes

56 Playgrounds

22 Quizzes

Course Overview

What You'll Learn

Course Content

Recommendations

Course Overview

Ruby on Rails is a server-side web development framework. Are you an experienced Rails developer but struggle with managing the complexity your Rails apps acquire over time? You don’t need gems or complicated design patterns; you just need to focus on consistency, sustainability, and the best parts of Rails. In this course, you’ll learn straightforward techniques to apply to each Rails part, from routes to views to controllers to Active Records. You’ll learn to put business logic in separate Ruby classes t...Show More

What You'll Learn

The ability to follow steps for creating a reliable and consistent database schema for Rails

Familiarity with managing code in each part of Rails: routes, controllers, views, Active Records, jobs, and more

Working knowledge of a pragmatic strategy that ensures quality without overtesting

Familiarity with techniques for managing business logic in a Rails app without complicated patterns or gems

An understanding of the core principles of sustainable web app development

The ability to follow steps for creating a reliable and consistent database schema for Rails

Course Content

Prologue

1 Lessons

Get familiar with sustainable Ruby on Rails app development, best practices, and architecture.

Introduction to Course

Getting Started

3 Lessons

Look at sustainable practices, assumptions, and cost management in Ruby on Rails development.

Introduction to Sustainability

Assumptions

Opportunity and Carrying Costs

The Rails Application Architecture

5 Lessons

Work your way through Rails architecture, views, models, pros and cons, and conventions.

Architecture of Our Rails Application and Its Boundaries

Views and Models

Pros and Cons of the Rails Application Architecture

Typographic Conventions

Quiz: The Rails Application Architecture

Start Our App Off Right

8 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of creating, configuring, running, and maintaining a Rails application.

Creating a Rails App

Using the Environment for Runtime Configuration

Configuring Local Development Environment with dotenv

Automating Application Setup with the bin/setup Command

Running the Application with the bin/run Command

Putting Tests and Other Quality Checks in the bin/ci command

Improving Production Logging with lograge

Quiz: Start Our App Off Right

Business Logic

6 Lessons

Solve problems in managing business logic complexity to ensure sustainable, stable web apps.

Business Logic Makes Our App Special and Complex

Business Logic Is a Magnet for Complexity

Bugs in Commonly-Used Classes Have Wide Effects

Business Logic and Complexity in Critical Classes

Example Design of a Feature

Quiz: Business Logic

Routes and URLs

8 Lessons

Investigate routing best practices, avoid unused configurations, utilize nested routes, and maintain clear URL structures in Rails.

Use Canonical Routes to Conform Rails’ Defaults

Never Configure Routes That Aren’t Being Used

Vanity URLs Should Redirect to a Canonical Route

Don’t Create Custom Actions, Create More Resources

Use Nested Routes Strategically

Namespacing Might Be an Architecture

Nested Routes Can Organize Content Pages

Quiz: Routes and URLs

HTML Templates

7 Lessons

Master the steps to create structured, maintainable Rails views using semantic HTML, instance variables, and ERB.

Semantic HTML and Views Using Meaningful Tags

Tags for Styling

Exposure of Variables

Reference Data, Global Context, and UI State Are Exceptions

Reusable Components

Just Use ERB

Quiz: HTML Templates

Helpers

8 Lessons

Learn how to use helpers effectively for UI, view models, testing, and secure markup.

Don’t Conflate Helpers with the Domain

Helpers Are Best at Exposing Global UI State

Define Helpers in As Few Locations as Possible

Presenters, Decorators, and View Models

Problems With Presenters

Use Rails’ APIs to Generate Markup

Helpers Should Be Tested and Testable

Quiz: Helpers

CSS

7 Lessons

Unpack the core of effective CSS management strategies, frameworks, and design systems for Rails applications.

Adopt a Design System

Create a Living Style Guide to Document Our Design System

Quiz: CSS

10.

Minimize JavaScript

5 Lessons

Break apart JavaScript's challenges and embrace server-rendered Rails views for simpler web apps.

Javascript Is a Serious Liability

Embrace Server-Rendered Rails Views

The Architecture of the Jamstack

Tweak Turbo to Provide a Slightly Better Experience

Quiz: Minimizing JavaScript

11.

Carefully Manage the JavaScript We Need

3 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of JavaScript management, framework selection, and effective testing in Rails apps.

Embrace Plain JavasScript for Basic Interactions

Carefully Choose One Framework

Ensure System Tests Fail When JavaScript Is Broken

12.

Testing the View

9 Lessons

Dig into strategies for effective and maintainable view testing in Ruby on Rails.

Understand the Value and Cost of Tests

Use :rack_test for Non-JavaScript User Flows

Test Against Default Markup and Content Initially

Cultivate Explicit Diagnostic Tools to Debug Test Failures

Fake the Back-End to Get System Tests Passing

Use data-testid Attributes to Combat Brittle Tests

Test JavaScript Interactions with a Real Browser

Writing a Browser-Driven System Test Case

Quiz: Testing the View

13.

Models I

7 Lessons

Simplify database access and modeling with Active Record and class/instance methods.

Active Record Is for Database Access

Creating Some Example Active Records

Model the Database with Active Record’s DSL

Database Operations with Class Methods

Instance Methods Should Implement Domain Concepts from the DB

Active Model Is for Resource Modeling

Quiz: Models I

14.

The Database

10 Lessons

Master the steps to plan and implement robust data models, migrations, and database constraints.

Logical and Physical Data Models

Create a Logical Model to Build Consensus

Planning the Physical Model to Enforce Correctness

Use a SQL Schema

Planning the Physical Model

Creating Correct Migrations

Creating the Migration File and Helper Scripts

Iteratively Writing Migration Code to Create the Correct Schema

Writing Tests for Database Constraints

Quiz: The Database

15.

Business Logic Code is a Seam

5 Lessons

Learn how to use stateless classes, explicit methods, rich result objects, and avoid certain patterns.

Business Logic Code Must Reveal Behavior

Explicitly-Named Classes with Explicitly-Named Methods

Return Rich Result Objects, Not Booleans or Active Records

Implementation Patterns We Might Want to Avoid

Quiz: Business Logic Code Is a Seam

16.

Models II

6 Lessons

Unpack the core of validations, callbacks, model testing strategies, and using Factory Bot for reliable data.

Validations Don’t Provide Data Integrity

Validations Are Awesome for User Experience

How to Use Callbacks

Model Testing Strategies

Create Valid Instances of the Model Using Factory Bot

Quiz: Models II

17.

End-to-End Testing

13 Lessons

Master the steps to test end-to-end scenarios, build UI, and manage business logic.

Example Requirements

Building the UI First

Create Useful Seed Data for Development

Sketch the UI Using Semantic Tags

Provide Basic Polish

Style the Form

Style Error States

Writing a System Test

Sketch Business Logic and Define the Seam

Fully Implement and Test Business Logic

Finished Implementation

Reflecting on What We’ve Built

Quiz: End-to-End Testing

18.

Controllers

6 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of optimizing controller configurations, managing callbacks, and strategic testing in Rails.

Controller Code Is Configuration

Don’t Over-Use Callbacks

Controllers Should Convert Parameters to Richer Types

Don’t Over Test

Implementing a Basic Confidence-Checking System

Quiz: Controllers

19.

Jobs

8 Lessons

Map out the steps for managing and optimizing background jobs in Ruby on Rails apps.

Overview of the Jobs

Web Workers, Memory, and Network Calls

Background Jobs

Sidekiq Is the Best Job Backend for Most Teams

Queue Jobs Directly

Job Code and Testing Strategies

Jobs Must Be Idempotent

Quiz: Jobs

20.

Other Boundary Classes

6 Lessons

Investigate boundary classes like mailers, Rake tasks, Action Mailbox, Action Cable, and Active Storage.

Mailers

Rake Tasks

One Task Per File, Namespaces Match Directories

Rake Tasks Should Not Contain Business Logic

Mailboxes, Cables, and Active Storage

Quiz: Other Boundry Classes

21.

Authentication and Authorization beyond Rails

6 Lessons

Practice using Devise, OmniAuth, and CanCanCan for secure authentication and role-based access control.

When in Doubt, Use Devise or OmniAuth

Use OmniAuth to Authenticate Using a Third Party

Authorization and Role-Based Access Controls

Use CanCanCan to Implement Role-Based Access

Test Access Controls in System Tests

Quiz: Authentication and Authorization Beyond Rails

22.

API Endpoints

11 Lessons

Learn how to use Rails for effective, secure, and maintainable REST API development.

What and Who Our API Is for

Write APIs the Same Way We Write Other Code

Use the Simplest Authentication System

Use the Simplest Content Type We Can

Just Put the Version in the URL

Use .to_json to Create JSON

Customizing JSON Serialization

Customize JSON in the Models Themselves

Always Use a Top Level Key

Test API Endpoints

Quiz: API Endpoints

23.

Sustainable Process and Workflows

9 Lessons

Walk through sustainable CI practices, dependency management, automation, and efficient configuration in Rails applications.

Use Continuous Integration to Deploy

What is CI?

CI Should Be Based on bin/setup and bin/ci

Frequent Dependency Updates

A Versioning Policy

Automate Dependency Updates

Leverage Generators and Templates over Documentation

RubyGems and Railties Can Distribute Configuration

Quiz: Sustainable Processes and Workflows

24.

Operations

9 Lessons

Work your way through enhancing observability, effective logging, performance measurement, and secure secret management in Ruby on Rails.

Why Observability Matters

Monitor Business Outcomes

Logging Is Powerful

Include a Request ID in All Logs

Log What Something Is and Where It Came From

Manage Unhandled Exceptions

Measure Performance

Managing Secrets, Keys, and Passwords

Quiz: Operations

25.

Conclusion

1 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of effective code structuring and continuous learning in software development.

Final Remarks

26.

Appendices

3 Lessons

Map out the steps for software versions, Docker setup, and architecture decisions.

Software Versions and Sample Code

Setting Up Docker for Local Development

Monoliths, Microservices, and Shared Databases

Course Author

David Bryant Copeland

Trusted by 2.5 million developers working at companies

"These are high-quality courses. Trust me. I own around 10 and the price is worth it for the content quality. EducativeInc came at the right time in my career. I'm understanding topics better than with any book or online video tutorial I've done. Truly made for developers. Thanks"

Anthony Walker

@_webarchitect_

"Just finished my first full #ML course: Machine learning for Software Engineers from Educative, Inc. ... Highly recommend!"

Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

"You guys are the gold standard of crash-courses... Narrow enough that it doesn't need years of study or a full blown book to get the gist, but broad enough that an afternoon of Googling doesn't cut it."

Carlos Matias La Borde

Software Developer

"I spend my days and nights on Educative. It is indispensable. It is such a unique and reader-friendly site"

Souvik Kundu

Front-end Developer

"Your courses are simply awesome, the depth they go into and the breadth of coverage is so good that I don't have to refer to 10 different websites looking for interview topics and content."

Vinay Krishnaiah

Software Developer

"I've tried probably 5-7 different sites and Educative is easily the best. It perfectly blends explanation with interactivity"

Eric Downs

Musician/Entrepeneur

Hands-on Learning Powered by AI

See how Educative uses AI to make your learning more immersive than ever before.

Instant Code Feedback

Evaluate and debug your code with the click of a button. Get real-time feedback on test cases, including time and space complexity of your solutions.

AI-Powered Mock Interviews

Put your skills to the test in a simulated interview setting. Receive personalized feedback based on your performance. Available in Premium & Premium Plus plans.

Adaptive Learning

At various checkpoints throughout Educative courses, you will be prompted to take a quick assessment. Receive a condensed curriculum tailored to your strengths and skill gaps.

Explain with AI

Select any text within any Educative course, and get an instant explanation — without ever leaving your browser.

AI Code Mentor

AI Code Mentor helps you quickly identify errors in your code, learn from your mistakes, and nudge you in the right direction — just like a 1:1 tutor!

Recommended before starting this course

Course

Learn Ruby

This course teaches Ruby for beginners by demystifying the basics of Ruby programming, laying the foundation for becoming a proficient Ruby developer.

beginner

8 hours

Course

Discover Ruby Programming Through Fun Examples

Discover Ruby programming through fun examples. Gain insights into basic syntax, methods, file handling, APIs, and develop problem-solving skills with hands-on practice in object-oriented concepts and web test engineering.

beginner

40 hours

Course

Rails for Front-end Development: Essential Tools

Gain insights into using Rails Webpacker, Webpack, and TypeScript to build applications. Learn about Stimulus and React for rich interactions, state management, testing, and troubleshooting.

intermediate

Discover Ruby Programming Through Fun Examples

beginner

40 hour

Course

Rails for Front-end Development: Essential Tools

intermediate

25 hour

Related Courses and Skill Paths

Course

Bulletproof Ruby on Rails Applications

Gain insights into good testing practices in Ruby on Rails. Learn the testing mindset, convert requirements into user stories, and master feature, request, and unit tests for comprehensive coverage.

intermediate

16 hours

Course

Modern Front-end Development for Rails

Gain insights into building applications using Rails Webpacker, Webpack, and TypeScript. Explore Stimulus, React, state management, and communication with servers for richer interactions.

intermediate

12 hours

Course

Docker for Rails Developers

Gain insights into Docker architecture, images, and containers. Delve into Docker Compose, JS integration, and production readiness. Master deploying, clustering, and scaling Rails apps using Docker tools.

beginner

10 hours

Course

Bulletproof Ruby on Rails Applications

intermediate

16 hour

Course

Modern Front-end Development for Rails

intermediate

12 hour

Course

Docker for Rails Developers