Ruby on Rails is a famous web-application framework that helps developers to build websites easily without drawing many codes. The latest version Rails 6 that has many updates and changes. Moreover, it is to be noted that Rails 6 is supported by Ruby 2.5. So, we need to upgrade to this version.

The major change in the Ruby on Rails latest version Rails 6 is that it supports multiple databases. There was a headache in managing multiple databases before the release of Rails 6. Moreover, it leverages the benefit of having multiple DB support in the applications.

Rails 6 upgrade

It needs to make sure that the Ruby version is compatible with the change that comes with Rails 6. It requires the minimum Ruby version to upgrade it to the latest one. Moreover, Rails 5 required the minimum version of Ruby 2.2.2, while Rails 6 needs to upgrade to Ruby 2.5.0 or higher.

It also requires updating Gemfile for Rails 6 version to make it compatible to use. It’s time to update the Rails version within the Gemfile. By running the bundle update Rails command in the terminal to update Rails and other dependent Gems, it will update to the latest version.

Later, we need to run the Rails app: update within the terminal. Besides, by running the above command; we can get some new configuration settings that are added to the application. Moreover, after upgrading to the latest version, we need to check the version by running and fixing the TestCases.

The need for the change to the Ruby on Rails version Rails 6 gives the following benefits.

New tools are added: The latest tools and features like Action text, Action mailbox, testing updates, multiple DB, and many more. These latest features will be useful in the future.

Improves security: There is an introduction to several security updates within the latest version of Rails. The latest version includes Host Authorization middleware and improved security around cookies.

Gem updates: Ruby on Rails is not the only gem that receives the latest features. In the latest time gems might adopt updated features that are dependent on Rails 6.

Makes future upgrades easier: The older Ruby on Rails application is the harder and needs to upgrade. The upgrade is useful so that future developers may get huge benefits.

Webpack: The official webpack will replace the existing asset pipeline after the upgrade.

Get practical insights through Ruby on Rails Online Course from OnlineITGuru.

Features of Rails 6

There are different features of Rails 6 version of Ruby on Rails. The following features and improvements of Ruby on Rails will impact the study of Rails well.

Action Mailbox

The Action Mailbox is the latest framework that directs incoming emails to the controller-like mailboxes in Ruby on Rails. This allows Rails 6 applications to integrate with incoming emails better. Moreover, the Action Mailbox requires Active Storage and Job for its operation and the features include Mailgun, Postmark, Mandrill, etc. It helps to directly processing mails from a help desk to automate various support tickets. This version allows its customers to reply directly to the inbound mails through email and much more.

The following example will help to know the usage of Action Mailbox.

COMMENTS_REGEX = /^comment\+(.+)@example\.com/i
# app/mailboxes/application_mailbox.rb
class ApplicationMailbox  :comments
end
# app/mailboxes/comments_mailbox.rb
class CommentsMailbox 
Action Text
This is the second major update and latest framework in Rails 6. The Action Text is going to make writing, editing, and visualizing text in a Rails application very easy or will take it to the next level. Moreover, the Action Text consists of the TRIX editor that handles the following:

• formatting
• quotes
• Adding various links and lists to the embedded images and frames within the application.

These content or images are stored in Active Storage in the framework. Thus, the Action Text brings in the rich text content and editing opportunities. Besides, it is already working with the previous versions of the Ruby on Rails.

Multiple databases

To make the application connect and switch between multiple databases at the same time for better scalability or performance reasons, it needs to upgrade.  The latest version of the Ruby on Rails helps in this regard very much.

Moreover, configuring a database using a master-slave scheme is a typical task. Here, the database is replicated across multiple servers using the master node receiving all writing operations. Later, these are processed through slave servers. To meet all these purposes, Rails 6 provides an API for MD support. This enables the users to do it without getting deep into Active Record or storage.

For example, we can see that the existing version of the database.yml may look like:

production:
  database: my_primary_database
  user: root
  adapter: mysql

Using Rails 6 users can add a replica for their primary database. Moreover, they also can add a new and updated database by updating the database.yml with the following:

production:
  primary:
    database: my_primary_database
    user: root
    adapter: mysql
  primary_replica:
    database: my_primary_database
    user: root_readonly
    adapter: mysql
    replica: true
  blogs:
    database: my_blogs_database
    user: blogs_root
    adapter: mysql
    migrations_paths: db/blogs_migrate
  blogs_replica:
    database: my_blogs_database
    user: blogs_readonly
    adapter: mysql
    replica: true

To use a read-only database within the application user needs to configure the middleware to connect through automatic switching. The automatic connection switching allows the user application to switch between primary and replica databases. Moreover, this is based on the HTTP request method.

Parallel Test

The Rails 6 version adds a parallel test to the Rails applications as a default. Like multiple database support, parallel testing is a type of function. This is might be useful while running typical tests for the application. Moreover, it adds an advantage to the multiple cores of the system. This parallel testing support helps to speed up the testing suite. Besides, each testing worker gets his database and runs its thread across the application. This feature is among the best and the popular ones in Rails 6 within Ruby on Rails.

Webpack as a default

With the latest update in Rails 6, the webpack is going to be a default JavaScript bundler for Rails. This replaces the previous-default Rails Asset Pipeline through the webpacker gem. Moreover, by replacing it provides for better operability with modern JavaScript libraries and coding. The webpacker is a gem that provides integration between webpack and JS packages such as YARN.

Zeitwerk

Zeitwerk is the latest code loader for Ruby on Rails. It’s a conventional file structure. Moreover, the Zeitwerk loads the project classes and modules on demand by the users. It means the user doesn’t need to write the necessary calls require for their files.

Credentials in Rails 6

Since the Rails 5.2, credentials were famous; the new “Rails way” deals with sensitive information. By using these credentials, encrypted keys for third-party services can be tested directly through source control.

There are more updates to come down on Rails 6 and further versions. Stay tuned for the updates.

Thus, the above details explain the various updates and features of the Rails 6 within Ruby on Rails. The updates help the developers to build websites and applications more easily. The inclusion of new features made the Rails applications more famous and easy to build resources. As the Ruby on Rails is the best web application building framework, the latest version pushes it towards the best position in the market.

Get practical experience of learning Rails 6 by getting into Ruby on Rails Online Training from the industry experts. Learning from OnlineITGuru may help to enhance skills and knowledge on Rails with a plan towards a better future.

The post What are the updates & features of Ruby on Rails 6? appeared first on Online Courses | Online IT Certification Training | OnlineITGuru.