Using Rails without Rails

Summary of 'Using Rails without Rails'

In this informative talk presented by Piotr Sarnacki during Rails Conf 2012, the focus is on the modularity introduced in the Rails framework after its 3.0 rewrite. The speaker explores practical applications of Rails components outside the conventional Rails stack.

Key Points Discussed:

Modularity of Rails: The discussion starts with an introduction to how Rails became more modular, encouraging the use of its individual components independently. This is particularly useful for developers looking to innovate outside the standard Rails environment.
Using ActionView with Other Libraries: Sarnacki highlights scenarios where ActionView can be employed alongside libraries like Webmachine, demonstrating the versatility of Rails components.
Rendering Views with Layouts: The speaker addresses the need for rendering views with layouts outside Rails, suggesting methods and considerations for achieving this.
Dynamic Template Fetching: The potential for creating systems that fetch templates from a database rather than relying on static file structures is discussed, showcasing the adaptability of Rails components in various contexts.
External Routing Capabilities: The possibilities of using the Rails routing system outside its typical framework are explored, opening the door for custom routing solutions in diverse applications.
Rails Internals Insight: A dive into the internals of Rails presents developers with a deeper understanding of the framework, equipping them with knowledge that can lead to more sophisticated applications.

Examples and Illustrations:

Sarnacki provides examples of projects where Rails components were effectively incorporated in non-Rails environments, reinforcing the relevance of his insights.

Conclusions and Takeaways:

Developers are encouraged to leverage the modular nature of Rails to enhance their applications. Understanding the internal workings of Rails can empower creative solutions that extend beyond conventional boundaries, allowing for tailored applications that meet specific needs.
This talk aims to inspire developers to think dynamically about the tools at their disposal and consider innovative implementations that transform their approach to development.

Using Rails without Rails
Piotr Sarnacki • April 23, 2012 • Austin, TX

Rails got much more modular after 3.0 rewrite. But do you know how to use specific rails elements outside Rails? What if you would like to use ActionView with some other library (like webmachine)? Have you ever needed to render view with layouts outside of the rails stack? Or maybe you wanted to build some kind of system that fetches templates from database rather than from files? Router anyone? You know that you can use it outside rails too?

In this talk I will dive into Rails internals and will show you what's there and how you can use it outside rails.

Although I will focus on using those parts standalone, this knowledge will most likely help you also build your apps if you ever need something sophisticated that requires modification of regular rails behavior.

RailsConf 2012