Ruby shines over .Net for school portal

07.03.2006
Scripting languages like PHP, Perl and Python may have taken the Web by storm but the lesser-known Ruby has stepped up to overthrow the might of Microsoft's .Net at search portal schoolseek.com.au in Australia.

Like the three Ps, Ruby is an open source scripting language that has found a niche in database-driven Web applications, and is a real time-saver according to managing director of Perth-based Web development company Spin Technologies Jordan Brock.

With five production sites running Ruby, Brock is preparing to migrate schoolseek.com.au, from the .Net framework to the open source scripting language.

"With the original site the client asked for additional features and I sat down and looked at site and realized I could rewrite the site in Ruby with the new features for only about five hours more than just adding the changes," Brock said. "Customers appreciate I can get sites done a lot faster and I can quickly add functionality. Now I can build a full shopping cart in the timeframe of a A$5,000 (US$4,151) site because the technology doesn't limit you or hinder the way you develop."

The new Ruby-based schoolseek.com.au is expected to go live this month.

Brock said one "great" features of Ruby it supports iterative development without interrupting the rest of the site.