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Tom Gamon If you are like me and you don’t know your MRI from your RBX, you think a Truffle Ruby sounds delicious and panic when someone mentions JRuby, then this talk is for you. We will delve into JRuby and figure out what it is, why it is and how it is different from 'normal' ruby and other alternative Ruby implementations. I am a Ruby developer working out of Melbourne. I am awful at writing bios, I like tinkering with electronics and I know my chiffonade from my chicory. #ruby #rubyconf #rubyconfau #programming
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In the talk titled "What The Hell is a JRuby?", Tom Gamon explores the alternative Ruby implementation known as JRuby, providing a comprehensive overview for those unfamiliar with Ruby's various versions. Key aspects of the discussion include: - **Introduction to JRuby**: Tom begins by stating that JRuby is the Ruby programming language implemented in Java, setting the stage for a deeper dive into its characteristics. - **Ruby Implementations**: The speaker contrasts JRuby with MRI (Matz's Ruby Implementation), which is the standard Ruby, and discusses other implementations like Rubinius and Truffle Ruby. He emphasizes the importance of the Ruby specs, a test suite that defines Ruby functionalities and ensures compatibility among implementations. - **Syntax and Features**: He confirms that JRuby maintains the same syntax as standard Ruby and can support Ruby on Rails, making it an attractive option for developers. - **Performance Comparison**: Tom highlights performance as a crucial factor in choosing JRuby, noting that it often outperforms MRI Ruby due to the optimization of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), particularly in terms of garbage collection and speed. - **Portability and Libraries**: The talk highlights JRuby's portability advantages, allowing Ruby applications to run in diverse environments, and its compatibility with both Java and C libraries, although some C libraries may not work directly with JRuby. - **Multi-threading Capabilities**: Tom explains how JRuby overcomes MRI's global interpreter lock (GIL), enabling true parallel thread execution which increases productivity compared to Ruby's traditional single-thread model. - **Downsides of JRuby**: He mentions a longer startup time than MRI Ruby, potential increased memory usage, and the absence of newer Ruby features not yet supported in JRuby. - **Overview of Other Implementations**: The talk briefly touches upon Rubinius, which is unique as it is written in Ruby itself, and Truffle Ruby, which utilizes a just-in-time compiler for enhanced performance. - **Conclusion**: Tom concludes that while JRuby has its downsides, its advantages in performance, multi-threading, and compatibility make it a powerful option for Ruby developers. He offers resources for further study and promotes a side project aimed at highlighting women's contributions in various fields.
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