Hire Ruby developers pre-screened for technical and cultural fit

Ruby is an open-source programming language companies use for web applications, static site generation, automation, command-line tools, and data processing. Compared to other languages like Java, its elegance and simplicity make it a desirable, easy-to-learn solution.

Ruby developers still need significant technical knowledge and a deep understanding of the language to know how to implement it in their projects. Because they'll work in teams with other developers and company members, presenting their complicated tasks to less tech-savvy colleagues, these developers will also need excellent interpersonal skills.

What Is Ruby Development?

Ruby development involves creating software in the Ruby scripting language—usually with the associated framework Ruby on Rails. Prominent companies such as Shopify, Airbnb, Goodreads, Kickstarter, and Hulu all use Ruby to create and maintain their platforms.

As a general-purpose, object-oriented language, Ruby can rapidly create many different software applications due to its recognized development speed. Typically, Ruby developers can create high-powered applications in about 40 percent of the time it would take developers using other tech stacks. However, because of its slow runtime performance, Ruby is suboptimal for use cases like gaming or streaming but preferred for web applications and static development projects.

Why Ruby?

Development with Ruby and Ruby on Rails is an excellent option for businesses and startups that want to build a product quickly. Because of Ruby’s simplicity and speed, prototyping and bringing products to market occurs relatively quickly. Ruby also has a vast community in its ecosystem of libraries, gems, and tools that provide developers with pre-fabricated solutions to further simplify and speed up the coding process.

Ruby provides several possibilities for businesses and startups to leverage its features. Besides web app development, developers also use Ruby for automation and scripting of repetitive tasks like data processing and report generation. Ruby also assists with data analysis by extracting insights from data and creating visualizations for reporting purposes.

Benefits of Ruby 

At times, Ruby takes a backseat to Python when businesses choose their back-end programming language, as Python launched first and has had more time to establish larger communities. However, utilizing Ruby has several benefits, making it a valuable and unique language for application development. Some advantages to consider include:

• Speed: Ruby, paired with the Rails framework, remains one of the fastest programming languages available. Startups hoping to develop and release a product quickly often choose this language.
• Ease of use: Because of its minimal syntax that relies on English words, Ruby is easy for many developers to pick up.
• Versatility: Most developers use Ruby for web development, but it has other uses. Ruby can also be applied for automation, DevOps, and command line tools.
• Conciseness: Because the syntax of Ruby is simple and limited, developers can build complex applications with fewer lines of code.

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What Does a Ruby Developer Do?

Ruby is a back-end software, so these developers create databases, logic, and libraries that underpin applications. While responsibilities change based on current project requirements and programmer capabilities, a Ruby developer’s typical duties include:  

• Developing requirements for new features
• Managing data between the server and users
• Implementing updates as maintenance on existing applications
• Writing scalable code to develop new applications
• Testing and debugging existing code
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to plan or clarify project requirements

Required Skills and Qualifications

To hire Ruby developers best suited for an established team, assessing applicants' hard and soft skills is necessary. Ruby developers must work alongside other team members to develop software, making teamwork essential. Collaborating and communicating effectively with others is crucial to success.

Critical thinking, or identifying and solving complex problems, is another crucial soft skill for a Ruby developer. Developers may need to utilize unorthodox and creative methods to get the best results. As technology advances, most teams benefit from a developer who independently continues their education.

There are various hard, technical skills that a Ruby developer must also master. They should be very well-versed in the Ruby scripting language. If the project requires the Rails framework, they should also have an excellent grasp of it, as it differs from Ruby.

Ruby developers must also be experts at building and managing application programming interfaces (APIs). APIs allow applications to communicate so businesses can accelerate innovation, monetize data, and ensure their system's security. Similarly, Ruby developers must be able to navigate database software. They should have experience with relational database management system software like MySQL and PostgreSQL.

Popular Ruby Development-Related Languages and Libraries

Ruby is a general-purpose language for back-end development that many developers choose to employ. Ruby developers often utilize other languages, libraries, and frameworks to enhance their workflow.

Related Languages

If a project doesn’t utilize the Rails framework and only calls for a back-end Ruby developer, the developer should know other languages. Because a Ruby developer needs to communicate with the front-end designers, having a grasp on client-side languages is beneficial. Some of these languages include:

• HTML: HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is a programming language that developers use to create web pages. It is limited and can structure a page with text and images.
• JavaScript/Node.js: JavaScript is a programming language that developers mainly use for front-end development that makes web pages interactive. Node.js is a command-line code that allows developers to use JavaScript for back-end development.
• CSS: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is used to create the visual design of a web page. CSS can stylize front-end features written in other languages, including HTML.

Related Libraries and Frameworks

Ruby pairs with several libraries and frameworks that assist in app development. The most notable among these frameworks is Rails. While Ruby is a language primarily used for back-end development, when paired with Rails, developers also use it for front-end development. Ruby on Rails is a full-stack framework developers have used to create famous web applications such as GitHub and Twitter. The following includes more information about Rails and another popular Ruby framework:

• Rails: Ruby on Rails is a model view controller framework emphasizing speed and simplicity when writing code. Ruby on Rails developers can quickly build robust web applications with vertical scalability.
• Sinatra: One alternative to Ruby on Rails is using a web application framework called Sinatra. Sinatra doesn’t require complex patterns, providing simple ways to define web applications and APIs. Apple, LinkedIn, and BBC have benefitted from using Sinatra.

Popular Ruby Programming Tools

Various programming tools are available that connect with Ruby to help developers write, test, and maintain their code. Some of the more popular Ruby development programming tools include:

• RubyGems: RubyGems distributes Ruby libraries and dependencies in self-contained packages called “gems.” These open-source libraries contain Ruby code that developers can use to test, maintain consistency, and provide APIs.
• Ruby Version Manager (RVM): This command-line tool helps programmers install, manage, and run multiple versions of Ruby on a system. Developers who need multiple versions of Ruby for different projects will find this tool especially useful.
• RuboCop and RSpec: RuboCop and RSpec analyze and format Ruby code, simplifying the development process. These tools help developers maintain consistent code formatting and identify bugs and errors.
• RubyMotion: This development platform allows developers to create cross-platform apps that work in the Ruby language for iOS, Android, and OS X.
• Ruby AWS: Ruby AWS is a tool developers use to manage and deploy apps on e-commerce giant Amazon Web Services (AWS). Developers use Ruby code to make API calls and manage AWS resources.

How Does Ruby Fit Into Modern Back-end Development?

Ruby plays a vital role in modern back-end development in various ways. It provides significant advantages in speed and ease of use, making Ruby a top choice for startups and medium enterprises. Ruby is also essential for building Rails applications. Developers use it to create robust and representational state transfer APIs that transmit data to mobile apps, front-end clients, and other services. Ruby’s clean syntax and the pairing with the Rails framework make building APIs relatively straightforward.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ruby Developer?

The average salary of a mid-level Ruby developer with four to six years of experience in the US ranges from $67,000 to $121,000. The estimate fluctuates based on a candidate’s level of experience, industry of employment, and geographical location, as well as the addition of bonus compensation, stock options, or company equity.

While Ruby developers in Latin American countries are equally skilled, the lower cost of living means they’re usually paid 30% to 50% less than their US counterparts, with salaries varying based on location and experience. Revelo provides a cost-effective opportunity by offering access to these highly qualified, pre-vetted Latin American developers.

Featured Tool: Tech Team Budget Calculator

Finding Ruby Developers for Your Project

Understanding your project's purpose and defining clear goals for your Ruby developer is essential. Decide if you need a developer for websites or mobile applications and whether they need to be familiar with the Rails framework. Having a clear sense of where your project is going will make determining which candidates can help you succeed easier.

Once you have determined the scope and needs of your project, explore online developer communities, such as GitHub, or developer forums, including Stack Overflow. You can also utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook to find and hire Ruby developers. Vetting and interviewing various developers is essential to determine which fits your organization best.

Why Hire Ruby Developers With Revelo?

Hiring Ruby developers can be challenging and time-consuming. At Revelo, we provide an end-to-end platform that streamlines the most significant aspects of the development hiring process. 

Our talent marketplace gives you access to a pool of highly skilled, time-zone-aligned, English-speaking candidates. We also provide expert assistance in managing payroll, benefits administration, taxes, and local compliance for your remote team so you can focus on your core business needs.

Contact us today to hire Ruby developers and build your tech team.

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