What Does a Ruby Developer Do?

Last updated on November 25th, 2023 at 01:30 pm

Web development is becoming one of the most in-demand careers in today’s job market. If you’re interested in the field, then chances are you’ve heard of a few different languages that are used to create web pages. One of the most popular programming languages nowadays is Ruby.

But what exactly is a Ruby developer? And what are their day-to-day responsibilities? In this article, we’ll talk more about Ruby as a programming language and the different responsibilities of a Ruby developer.

What Is Ruby?

Ruby is a dynamic, open-source, object-oriented programming language created by Yukihiro Matsumoto. This programming language is probably best known for its simplicity. Unlike other more complicated languages such as C++, Ruby is easy to pick up as a beginner.

When you learn Ruby, you can use it to create anything from websites to mobile apps. The syntax of Ruby is simple and concise, so learning it will be easy. It uses an English-like syntax, making it easy to understand even if you have minimal experience with web development. In addition, if you already know how to code using Perl and Python, then you can easily learn Ruby as well.

Another thing you have to know about Ruby is Ruby on Rails (RoR). RoR is a framework designed to make creating web applications easier. The reason why these two go hand-in-hand is that many Ruby projects are built upon RoR. The framework consists of pre-built components that allow you to build websites and applications quickly. With RoR, developers can cut down on the time they spend building their own custom solutions.

In short, Ruby is an easy-to-learn programming language that’s perfect for beginners. However, it has a lot of power when combined with other tools like RoR. That’s why so many people love working with Ruby.

What Does a Ruby Developer Do?

Now let’s take a look at what it means to be a Ruby developer. As mentioned earlier, Ruby is one of the most common languages used to develop web pages. It’s popularly used as a backend language, which means that Ruby developers usually work on the backend side of web development. They create APIs, handle database requests, and help support the entire site.

Ruby developers often use RoR as well to create more scalable applications for clients. There are plenty of opportunities for Ruby developers because they can build anything from small projects to large-scale applications, depending on the client’s needs.

Responsibilities and Skills Of A Ruby Developer

With this said Ruby developers do more than just develop web pages and applications. There are a lot of responsibilities and skills expected from a Ruby developer. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

1. Write clear and efficient code in Ruby.

Obviously, writing code is the biggest part of any Ruby developer’s job. Most of their job entails them to write the actual code needed to perform specific functions. But as a developer, you also need to ensure that the code runs smoothly. There shouldn’t be any bugs, and it’s important to monitor the performance of your application. Ruby developers also test their code because testing is just as important as writing code itself. After all, without testing, no one would know whether or not your code works properly.

2. Maintain code quality after launch.

Another usual responsibility of a Ruby developer is maintaining code quality once their project launches. This includes adding new features, fixing bugs, and keeping up with security updates. Creating a website doesn’t stop at launch; the developer needs to keep improving the code throughout the life cycle of his product.

3. Document code.

Part of becoming a Ruby developer is also learning how to document code effectively. Documentation allows the developer to explain what exactly he/she did while coding. If you plan to work for a company or other clients as a Ruby developer, then you’ll need to learn how to write effective documentation.

When done right, documentation will benefit you and others. It helps you remember what you’ve done, and it will also help others understand different aspects of your code.

4. Collaborate with other team members.

Being a Ruby developer isn’t just about coding. You’ll need to collaborate with other team members on different projects. You might have to work with designers, front-end developers, project managers, etc. Working together with other team members is necessary to complete projects successfully. You must communicate and collaborate effectively with the rest of the team to get everything done.

5. Provide ways to improve the development process.

As a Ruby developer, you may also need to provide feedback to the team so they can make improvements to their processes. For example, you can suggest ideas on how to improve their workflow, tools used, etc. Being able to offer helpful suggestions can really help increase productivity for your team.

6. Understand other programming languages.

While it’s not required to be fluent in every programming language, knowing multiple languages is beneficial to Ruby developers. At least, you should be familiar with some popular ones like PHP, Python, Golang, Kotlin, and Javascript. Learning these programming languages will allow you to determine patterns and design solutions for problems when developing websites and apps.

7. Communicate with clients.

Finally, another common task for Ruby developers is communicating with clients. You may think that Ruby developers just create apps, but they actually work closely with clients to deliver what they’re planning to build. The client provides them with requirements, and they implement those. Of course, you still need to ensure that the app meets the client’s expectations. Because of this, communication skills are also essential to becoming a Ruby developer.

Conclusion

Ruby is a popular programming language in the tech industry today. Many beginners choose to become Ruby programmers because of its flexibility and ease of use. However, Ruby developers do more than just develop websites. As mentioned, they also need to take on different responsibilities outside of writing code. It takes a lot of effort to become a Ruby developer, but there are endless opportunities in this career path.