Java Vs Ruby: Which One Is Better For Web App Development

Quick Summary:
Java and Ruby are two popular programming languages used for web application development. While Java offers robustness and scalability, Ruby provides ease of development and simplicity. This article aims to compare Java vs Ruby and help you decide which one is better suited for your web app development needs.

Introduction

In the fast-paced world, Java and Ruby programming languages have become the prior choice for web development services. Java's robust object-oriented ability and support to run on any OS make it ideal for building financial software and mobile apps. 

On the other hand, Ruby on Rails has powerful web development frameworks, highly preferred for creating apps for startup businesses. Whether you're stepping forward to build a large-scale enterprise app or a sleek web platform, the dynamic features of interpreted scripted languages: Java and Ruby will help you keep pace with the rapidly growing IT landscape.

Major Difference Between Java and Ruby

The major difference between Java and Ruby is that Java is more strict and requires more code to accomplish tasks, while Ruby is more flexible and requires less code. This makes Ruby faster to write and easier to read, but Java is better suited for larger, more complex projects.

Nowadays, Java and Ruby are the most popular software development programming languages in information technology domains. According to Github's recent survey, Java is the 2nd worldwide popular programming language, and Ruby stands at the 8th position. The usability of Java vs Ruby depends on the project types and specific development requirements.

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Java Overview

What is Java? 

Java is one of the most popular object-oriented programming languages in technology. Sun Microsystems first released this programming language, and later Oracle Corporation acquired it in 2009. 

Java is a robust, fast, secure, and reliable general-purpose programming language popular for developing code on different servers. The wide range of features in Java makes it suitable for its easy use on the world wide web. 

Java as a programming language 

This Interpreted scripted language has syntax derived from C++ and C. Java code is executed on a system as it follows WORA (Write Once Run Anywhere) concept, providing support without recompiling it. 

Java Developers or coders recognized this language for its remarkable ability to create sophisticated systems. Many popular apps like Amazon, Google, Pinterest, Netflix, and Uber use Java as a programming language. 

Recommended Read: 20 Reasons to Choose Java for Backend Development

Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) 

It is a collection of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and technologies to develop enterprise-level solutions in Java. It includes different technologies like Java Server Pages (JSP), Servlets, Java Message Service (JMS), Java Persistence API (API), and Java Transaction API (JTA). 

With a great platform to develop secure and robust applications, Java programming language provides a tremendous, supportive end for transaction management, security, web, and messaging services. Nowadays, Java virtual machines are also preferred, which create code quickly, thus allowing them to meet the project deadline on time. 

Key features of Java 

1. Object-oriented programming 

Java programming language is object-oriented and thus gives inheritance support at the web development end, like encapsulation, polymorphism, inheritance, and abstraction. Engineering professionals can develop and design data structures per the specified function logic and sets. 

2. Platform independence 

Regarding memory-intensive platforms, Java code is the best option for using rich tools, libraries, and resource ecosystems. Developers find it easy to work on the Java platform. It provides an excellent functioning system to run code execution smoothly. Java uses deployment formats like property files, icons, classes, and other resources. 

3. Robustness and security 

Java is a reliable and secure general-purpose programming language offering different mechanisms and advanced features like security manager, bytecode verification, smooth functioning, and platform independence. 

Recommended Read: An Ultimate Guide: How to Hire Java Developers Effectively

Pros and Cons of Java interpreted scripting language

Advantages of Java

• Java is one of the most widely used programming languages in enterprise computing for various products like customized software and web applications. It is famous as a track-proven advanced technology for complex projects and large systems.
• Providing an automatic memory management system, Java programming languages eliminate the need to handle memory at the manual end, thus making it easy to recover unused space in the system.
• It uses intuitive syntax, which is easy for coders and engineers to learn.
• Supporting multithreading functionality, the Java platform allows the apps to run different operations simultaneously. This feature makes Java more responsive and efficient to get maximum CPU utilization. 
• The only classes have objects in Java language. 
• Java has package access by default, which can be determined with identifiers.
• In Java language, protected members can be accessed within the same package as the class declaring them and in the subclasses of the class. 

Recommended Read: Why Java for enterprise software?

Disadvantages of Java

• Java can be slower due to its large memory consumption. It happens due to an additional level of abstraction and compilation by Java Virtual Machine. Java performance is lacking as compared to native languages like C++ and C. 
• The code of the Java programming language is complex and lengthy, which makes it explicit, thus reducing its reliability. 
• The garbage collector in Java requires additional CPU time. It creates a relatively sluggish performance. 
• Java Standard Edition has licensing fees that add extra bucks to the pocket. 
• In this programming language, code is verbose, which makes the code explicit and minimizes its readability.  

Ruby Overview

What is Ruby? 

Ruby is an object-oriented open-source scripting language. It was built in 1995 by Yukihiro Matsumoto. Nowadays, Ruby is one of the leading options for building the best web applications. It's the best choice for engineers, developers, and coders.

Ruby as a programming language 

Ruby's concise syntax and features allow coders to execute different programs simultaneously. This programming language has many similar features to Perl and Python scripting languages. Offering great productivity, Ruby programming code looks natural and easy to read.

Ruby has different properties like valuable mean methods and variables, and it follows the Principle of Least Astonishment (POLA) - where the language reduces the confusion for experienced coders or users.  

Ruby on Rails as a web development framework 

Ruby on Rails is a widely used web development framework that is designed to develop web applications by using a set of tools and conventions. It allows developers or coders to work smoothly and quickly to create scalable, maintainable, and robust web applications. 

Key features of Ruby 

1. Elegant syntax and readability 

Ruby is one of the most popular and highly preferred programming languages for developers. Its code or programming language is concise, clean, and easy to read. It allows the users to update and maintain code occasionally, thus reducing the chances of errors and bugs. 

2. Dynamic typing 

Ruby defines everything as an object. In this programming language, developers need not specify the ruby variables or data types on the declaration. The data type in Ruby is usually inferred at the run time. 

3. Flexible and expressive 

It is a flexible programming language. Ruby supports various platforms like Mac, Windows, and Linux. Reputed companies like Airbnb, Kickstarter, Twitch, Shopify, and Github use it.

Pros and Cons of Ruby 

1. Advantages 

• Ruby is the best solution for short-term projects as it helps quickly code high-quality programming languages. It offers rapid software development and increases time to market effectively.
• Ruby has an easy-to-understand and flexible syntax, increasing the validation of prototyping, product ideas, and MVPs.
• Ruby or rails is the prior choice to develop web applications because of its simplified code and rapid development. 
• It offers exciting features like interactivity, dynamic interfaces, and customizations. 
• It offers “Gems” termed as “Ruby Gems.” These are the libraries and tools to facilitate coding and determine specific functionalities like Credit Card integration.

2. Disadvantages

• Ruby on rails functions slowly for memory-intensive projects.
• Ruby Developers or coders aligned with opinionated programming languages need assistance due to their non-opinionated features.
• Ruby on rails has limited access as it is smaller than the community of Java programming language. 
• In Ruby class definitions, there is no access modifier support like in Java language.
• When it comes to runtime speed, Ruby is the slowest programming language.

Tabular Comparison: Java vs Ruby 

How to Choose Between Java & Ruby for Your Web App Development?

A. Assessing your project requirements

Web development is an essential aspect of any business running its operations online. So, compiling specific requirements like project type, specification, and utility is the first thing that companies should come up with. Choosing a programming language can be challenging. So, you must be familiar with the consequences after deployment. 

When to prefer Ruby:

Ruby is a robust framework, one of the best options for startup businesses and industries. Prefer Ruby as a programming language when:

• Fast prototyping
• Access modifier class definitions
• Concise time frame
• No concept of fixed products
• Value-based idea
• Certain audience type
• Functionality revisions

When to Prefer Java:

Java is ideal for enterprise-level projects aimed at big data apps and complex tasks that demand a high user base, audience, and traffic. Java is the best fit for:

• High-security project
• Static typing
• Complex app architecture
• Unlimited resources & timeframes
• Interactive systems like mainframe backends, peer web services, etc.
• Hosting your browser

B. Considering future growth with the use of interpreted scripting language

Java is the best choice for sophisticated projects associated with enterprise-level requirements like significant data requirements, memory-intensive specifications, and complex architecture. This computing platform interacts with adjacent systems and databases like web services and mainframe backends. 

Ruby is preferred when you require long-term flexibility in the system. It is the best option for projects or ideas involved with frequent revisions or changes in the functionalities and features. Generally, many startups, small to mid-sized companies, and industries prefer using Ruby when their project ideas are going through validation.

C. Seeking expert advice to know Ruby versus Java

Several details will influence your choice of Java vs Ruby on Rails programming languages. When you are about to start your online business, industry, or organization or want to move towards automation, getting technical advice from the experts to know all about ruby versus Java should be the first thing on your "Do" list. Book a consultation session or free demo with technical experts to get an overview of Java and Ruby programming languages and the development process. List your requirements, and discover the best programming solution for your business. 

Conclusion

Both Java and Ruby have similar or parallel features and specific features simultaneously. Before putting hands on one out of two, you must be clear with the project requirement, long-term utility, and productivity to know all about Java vs Ruby differences. 

Java EE is the best option for an enterprise framework to launch various products and services on a large ecosystem with cross-platform applications and multi-thread computing features.

Ruby on Rails is the model-view-controller framework, an ideal choice for a more miniature ecosystem based on rapid prototyping, fast launching, easy solutions, solid MVPs, excellent code readability, and web development. You should opt for Java over Ruby if you are running the system on your own server; otherwise, it will add up hosting costs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Java vs Ruby