The significant increase in productivity for Java-applications development

The Engine Yard Company has introduced a new version of its platform called JRuby 1.5. The new version empowers extension of Java-based applications using the popular Ruby language. In particular, the JRuby technology allows quick development of new interfaces for Java-applications to work in SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) and WOA (Web Service Architecture). JRuby is an implementation of the Ruby development platform for Java. The language JRuby allows you to write only 20% of code compared to traditional Java applications development. It has a good integration with the most popular components of Java platform (integration with the core Java libraries, etc.). Moreover the JRuby 1.5 platform provides more efficient use of memory and processor.

During the five last months (the period of JRuby 1.5 development) about 30 volunteers made more than 1000 edits to improve the code. In fact, the main advantage of JRuby is the significant increase in productivity in the development of Java-based applications. In particular, java developers can now deploy Ruby code on the same server, using the same library as for the previous Java-based applications, but Ruby is fully integrated with the already working code and Java-applications using RIA development.

Dynamic and functional languages – a new way of thinking

#8. Dynamic and functional programming languages (Please, read the beginning of the list in the previous posts)

You would be surprised, but the next point in our “look-ahead list” is dynamic language. It can be functional language as well, we can’t decide it exactly. Of course such languages as Python, F#, Ruby, and Groovy don’t belong to mainstream; nevertheless software professionals can find good ideas in them. Take LINQ from .NET as an example, this language is an “offspring” of the functional programming. Ruby and Python are becoming more and more popular in some areas (owing to good programming for Silverlight).

Your programming skills in these “informal” languages will not only make your resume more impressive, but also liberalize, helping to find more non-typical and unusual decisions for everyday tasks.
For example, you can read the book “Programming Python” by Mark Lutz. It will show you all power of this language and help to unveil your potential. No doubt this book is one of the most comprehensive and detailed edition for advanced Python programmers available nowadays.

to be continued…