Using Ruby on Rails | Original

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During my time at ShowMeBug, I contributed to the Enterprise WeChat Integration project. This involved integrating ShowMeBug with Enterprise WeChat, providing seamless access to technical interview tools within the Enterprise WeChat ecosystem. I utilized technologies such as Ruby, Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL, and the WeChat SDK to create a smooth user experience for both interviewers and candidates.

This blog post was composed with the assistance of AI around February 2025.


Ruby on Rails (often just “Rails”) is a powerful web development framework built on the Ruby programming language. It’s designed to make building web applications fast and enjoyable by emphasizing conventions over configuration and DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principles. Let’s walk through setting it up and creating a simple app.

Step 1: Install Ruby and Rails

First, you’ll need Ruby installed, as Rails is a Ruby gem (library). Most systems don’t come with Ruby pre-installed, so here’s how to set it up:

Verify the installation:

ruby -v  # Should show something like ruby 3.2.2
rails -v # Should show the latest Rails version, e.g., 7.1.x

Step 2: Create a New Rails Project

Once Rails is installed, generate a new app:

rails new myapp --database=sqlite3
cd myapp

This creates a folder called myapp with a full Rails structure, using SQLite as the default database (great for development).

Step 3: Start the Server

Run the built-in Rails server:

rails server

Open your browser to http://localhost:3000. You’ll see a welcome page. Congrats, your Rails app is running!

Step 4: Build Something Simple

Let’s create a basic “Posts” feature to understand Rails’ MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern.

Step 5: Explore Key Concepts

Step 6: Customize and Deploy

Pro Tips

That’s it! You’ve got a basic Rails app up and running. From here, explore the official Rails Guides (guides.rubyonrails.org) or build something real to solidify your skills. What kind of project are you thinking about?


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