DISCLAIMER – I want to clarify the title that I will be using for this series of posts. I know what Ruby on Rails is, but I am taking a different approach. I am learning Ruby, the language, while also working with Rails, the framework. So I am digging through the famous Pickaxe book to learn about the language of Ruby and I am also working through Rails3 in Action. This is the story of my journey.
Most of my “career” as a developer has been focused on the frontend (e.g. JavaScript, CSS, HTML, ActionScript and Flex). But I have also been working with many different backend technologies (e.g. Coldfusion, PHP, Java, Groovy/Grails). The reason I am always looking at backend technologies is to improve my efficiency in proving out frontend solutions. After all, a UI with no backend is about as useful as a Powerpoint or Photoshop file, which makes it hard to drive technical change with decision makers. Trust me, if you are a frontend developer or designer, and all you ever do is create pictures and never implement; no one will care about your technical opinion. You will fail. Time to get on with the post..