Ruby on Rails is one of the easiest programming applications in developing rich internet applications. But like most programming languages, configuring Ruby on Rails is not a walk in the park either. Ruby on Rails were able to harness the power of Ruby programming language by creating a framework out of it.

With the help of the built-in applications that aid in scaffolding, the applications being built by developers can slowly come into place, that is why the framework eases applications development. Its emphasis on convention also makes coding a lot easier. But then again, careful rendering should still be considered.

Being Careful with ActiveRecord

Any application should be properly backed up by a powerful database. Ruby on Rails use ActiveRecord in order to properly call data and load it in the client side. Notable ease could be noticed when using this feature in Ruby on Rails which is a good thing and as well as bad.

The good thing about ActiveRecord is that it is easier to get your data in place. Efficient migration, use of abstraction in coding and the additional tools for ActiveRecord will make any developer feel at ease in transferring data from their preferred database applications.   But this ease is also its drawback, if the developer is not careful on properly rendering ActiveRecord.

There are a lot of simple as well as other commands with relative difficulty associated with ActiveRecord that will work and improve your application.

Caching

One of the focuses of Ruby on Rails 2.0 is in caching. With this and the subsequent version, Ruby on Rails now have better control on caching. Instead of letting developers work on the same actions over and over again, the caching feature of Ruby on Rails will make this action unnecessary.

But do not think caching in Ruby on Rails should be your absolute solution in your coding problems. Although the cache in Ruby on Rails will record the loop actions to avoid repetitions, it should be seen as a remedy. Abusing cache will only increase the required processing power in your user’s gadget or bandwidth. You are practically defeating the purpose of building an application that will provide ease of navigation.  Instead of insisting caching in your application, use functions such as :join and :select to render the functions manually.

Optimization after Launch

A very frustrating scenario for developers is when they realized that they could have done something better about the application after launching it. This frustration does not exclude Ruby on Rails developers. But instead of just wishing that something could have been done, Ruby on Rails do have tools that you can use to make some small but very efficient changes in your applications.

• Exception Notifier – This is a small tool that you can add to your application as a plug-in. No radical changes in your application will occur but it will give you a head’s up in case something odd or exceptional happens in your application. But be careful since it could drag your email client if you place your notifier in too many places.

• Asset Packager – Instead of loading your application with too many JavaScript functions, use this tool to bundle them up. This will avoid unnecessary loading time in your application.

Proper Placing of JavaScript

JavaScript will always find its place in most Ruby on Rails applications. As everyone is aggressive about their applications in Web 2.0, JavaScript has become a necessity to enable efficient client side loading. As a framework, Ruby on Rails could assist developers build JavaScript and Ajax (programming technique based on JavaScript) but it will still require smart coding from its developers. JavaScript requires powerful connection and should be added to the application with care.

When using JavaScript in your application, make sure they are placed at the bottom of the application. This will give time to your other functions to be properly loaded before JavaScript tools are loaded. JavaScript could easily drag down the loading time of other functions when they are launched first since it will automatically execute some of its functions even though your other functions are loading. This might force you to make some changes in your design but you do not want the browser to focus its task in downloading functions that might not be necessary when the application is properly loaded.