PHP vs RoR:
Comparing Ruby on Rails and PHP is like comparing apples to oranges. PHP is a programming language, while Ruby on Rails is a framework that is created with a separate language by the name of Ruby. Though the Rails framework can be used with other languages, including PHP, it is typically used with Ruby. Consequently, talking about one perpetually infers the application of the other. Here is a quick comparison between Ruby on Rails development with the PHP development:
Ruby on Rails Development versus PHP Development: Fundamental Differences
PHP is fundamentally a scripting language, which enables one to add dynamic content and special functionalities to web pages. Creating a PHP application involves assembling separate objects, often leading to the duplication of efforts. On the other hand, Ruby on Rails is a framework of pre-built tools and objects written in any scripting language. Additionally, it follows obvious conventions whenever possible, which can be overridden with a single command, aiding in faster web-application development.
Conclusion: PHP, though a dynamic application development recourse, requires more efforts on configuration than Ruby on Rails.
Ruby on Rails Development versus PHP Development: Functional Differences
PHP is fast and is less burdensome on server resources. Ruby on Rails is more time-consuming, as Rails applications are run through Mongrel, a Ruby-based single-threaded web server that is slower than PHP. Nonetheless, with proper caching, a Ruby on Rails setup can be as responsive as a PHP page.
Another area where Ruby on Rails loses out to PHP is its heavy dependence on memory. The Mongrel hogs a great deal of memory, chewing up as much as 50-100MB of RAM per application.
Conclusion: Ruby on Rails must ideally be used for complicated sites. While PHP can be used for simple tasks, such as a static site, using Ruby on Rails would lead to the unnecessary taking up of memory resources.
Ruby on Rails Development versus PHP Development: Deployment
Deploying a Ruby on Rails application is harder than deploying a PHP one. Deployment here does not imply uploading a new release. Instead, it caters to an application’s capacity to run on shared hosting.
Ruby on Rails support is not popularly used in such environments as it is a relatively new framework, while most shared-hosting environments offer some degree of PHP support. Shared-hosting environments are also hesitant on Ruby on Rails, as they require more power and resources, which can be highly taxing on a shared box.
Conclusion: While launching a small application or considering a shared-hosting environment, opting for a PHP application is a no-brainer.
Finally, despite their differences, both Ruby on Rails and PHP ultimately satisfy the same goal, which is to aid a programmer in creating a web application. Both accompany a wide array of features, which facilitate rendering dynamic content on web browsers.