Really strange that I cannot find a lot of discussion on a good RoR IDE. Most of what I have pulled up dates to 2008. Also the Eclipse IDE has trouble finding the JRE running on Windows 7 64 bit. Very surprised that Eclipse is not more concerned with having there platform work better with JRE since it is so dependent upon it. I dropped it like a hot potato for this reason. I am going to give the netbeans a go but I would like a lot more input on the matter from seasoned RoR developers. If I am missing something please let me know. I am really interested in switching to Ruby for developing enterprise apps. Otherwise I will be forced to go with visual studio wfc.
Hi,
We are using Netbeans since early 6.x versions, and are very happy with it. RubyMine is also an excellent choice, but you'll have to buy it. For the Eclipse part of the question, there is two solutions : - Aptana - 3rdRails (not free) but I was not please last time I gave them a try.
On the other hand, most of the RoR community is quite fond of Textmate or similar code editors.
I think NetBeans 6.9 is a good choice for beginners (hints, checks
syntax etc.), and then they can also move to Terminal+TextMate or any
other "hardcore text editor" 
I develop under linux that doesn't have textmate. I'm using netbeans and I think it is a complete ide for develop rails apps.
Very strange indeed. If you search the archive, you can order by date:
Of recent discussions of the same question, this was a fairly long one.
I think Netbeans 6.8 (or later) is still as good. Netbeans 6.8, for example, has a Cucumber plugin (for those who write Cucumber features). But still I find the terminal a “wonderful IDE”, especially when using Terminator + vim. With Terminator, you can have multiple terminals in one window. With terminator, I use vim on one window, script/server on the second window, git on the third and forth windows. I have customized vim configurations that I use to help me with hints, syntax highlighting, e.t.c.
With terminator, I use vim on one window, script/server on the second window, git on the third and forth windows. I have customized vim configurations that I use to help me with hints, syntax highlighting, e.t.c.
I'll give a try
It has the same options like kde konsole.
ZRiddick wrote:
Really strange that I cannot find a lot of discussion on a good RoR IDE. Most of what I have pulled up dates to 2008. Also the Eclipse IDE has trouble finding the JRE running on Windows 7 64 bit. Very surprised that Eclipse is not more concerned with having there platform work better with JRE since it is so dependent upon it. I dropped it like a hot potato for this reason. I am going to give the netbeans a go but I would like a lot more input on the matter from seasoned RoR developers. If I am missing something please let me know. I am really interested in switching to Ruby for developing enterprise apps. Otherwise I will be forced to go with visual studio wfc.
I'll give you a hint, in case this hasn't been clear from previous posts. The reason you don't find a lot of discussion about IDEs for Ruby on Rails is because most of us don't use an IDE. The reason is not that IDEs for Ruby on Rails don't exist, it's because we don't use IDEs by choice.
I use IDEs for my Java work all the time. Mostly because Java makes it nearly impossible to work without one. My IDE of choice in the Java world is Netbeans. However, not having to use an IDE at all was one of the primary joys of Ruby on Rails, and it's one of the many things that drew me to the framework. This may sound strange to you, but I promise you I'm not alone in this opinion.
You put this as if it is a threat for rubyists that you go with MSVS? If you go with that is your problem, not ours. It's your call, not ours. As Michael said, there has been several threads, and some of them pretty large about IDE's for RoR, about if they exists, about if they're necessary, about who uses what, about if VIM is better than Textmate or the other way around, about almost enything on this topic.
I remember some posts about this topic, as I see someone added the links, I'm sure you can also find it. The answer is: depends on your need. Do you want it for free? Easy to use or easy to install? Or fast starting?
Netbeans, Eclipse + Aptana plugin, Aptana 3 (standalone) or Textmate are very good choices.
If you are using Win, than you can try Scite, it's very fast. The bigger ones have much more features, but they are much slower. For first steps Scite is simply ideal, all you need is included.
I also had problems and I hated Eclipse in the beginning. But take it easy, just see how easy you can add a plugin, and it will work for you. I'm sure you can solve problems with JRE also, maybe you haven't tried it enough. If you have problems with it, better idea to change win to Linux or Mac, than change Eclipse. And I think there is a plugin, which made to configure Eclipse easily and add more plugins easily - you can find it in sourceforgenet. If you prefer to choose from a list, than Netbeans can be your choice.
good luck, gezope
Thanks all for your help. I must admit part of the purpose of my post was to vent my own ignorance. Your responses are very encouraging.
I’m getting better at searching the group itself. Happy learned how to put. LOL But its nice to know there are persons out there to help when needed. Any of you ever play with Komodo?
Todd Weeks wrote:
Thanks all for your help. I must admit part of the purpose of my post was to vent my own ignorance. Your responses are very encouraging. I'm getting better at searching the group itself. Happy learned how to put. LOL But its nice to know there are persons out there to help when needed. Any of you ever play with Komodo?
Yes! I recommend it highly -- it's my primary editor for Rails, and indeed for anything that doesn't need an IDE.
Best,
You will get lots of opinions, but the only way to know for sure is to try them out, and see what works for you. Even then there will be lots of features that are not apparent or exposed at first, so you need to take a bit of time to get to know them before making a decision.
I'm currently using Aptana Studio 3 beta, and really like having integrated terminal windows in tabs - I tend to keep one open across the bottom for rails console, run rails under a tabbed terminal, and keep another around for command line stuff. It does also have other tabs (besides , such as a web browser, but for for viewing a Rails app I prefer to use a real browser.
Git integration is also done well.
RubyMine looks great on the code completion front, and ability to cross reference to the source code in gems, and to documentation - I wouldn't mind more of that in Aptana, but I'd miss the views too much to switch.
Komodo is mor eeditor than IDE IMO, but I only gave it a cursory look. I haven't tried textmate. I found NetBeans slow and clunky.
Your view, and everyone elses, will differ. Go try some.
Matt.
MattB wrote:
You will get lots of opinions, but the only way to know for sure is to try them out, and see what works for you. Even then there will be lots of features that are not apparent or exposed at first, so you need to take a bit of time to get to know them before making a decision.
I'm currently using Aptana Studio 3 beta, and really like having integrated terminal windows in tabs - I tend to keep one open across the bottom for rails console, run rails under a tabbed terminal, and keep another around for command line stuff.
I find this nearly useless for Rails. I'd rather use a real terminal program (on Mac OS, that means iTerm).
It does also have other tabs (besides , such as a web browser, but for for viewing a Rails app I prefer to use a real browser.
Git integration is also done well.
Haven't used Aptana in a while. I've been very, very impressed with NetBeans' Git plugin, though.
RubyMine looks great on the code completion front, and ability to cross reference to the source code in gems, and to documentation - I wouldn't mind more of that in Aptana, but I'd miss the views too much to switch.
Komodo is mor eeditor than IDE IMO, but I only gave it a cursory look.
That is correct. For Rails, that's all you need. (There is a Komodo IDE, but it's something like $250.)
I haven't tried textmate. I found NetBeans slow and clunky.
How recently have you used NetBeans? Since 6.8 or so it's been an amazingly good IDE (it certainly *used* to be slow and clunky before that). I don't recommend it (or any IDE) for Rails, but when you need an IDE, NetBeans is your best choice. It has far outstripped Eclipse/Aptana in recent versions.
Your view, and everyone elses, will differ. Go try some.
Matt.
Best,
I think I should try Vim or emacs with rails but I don't know with who I should go with. I tried both and I feel the same... The most people are using vim in ruby community, why? I heard that vim scripting can be replaced with ruby, is this true and that is the reason that the most people are using vim and ruby?
Emacs I heard is more powerful than vim, you can even play tetris but the popularity fall in contrast of vim which has grown very much. I know about the editor wars but I really can't decide and the more opinions I read, the more I am confused...
Johndel Deliyiannis wrote:
I think I should try Vim or emacs with rails but I don't know with who I should go with.
Why do you want to use either, instead of something like KomodoEdit or TextMate?
I tried both and I feel the same... The most people are using vim in ruby community, why? I heard that vim scripting can be replaced with ruby, is this true and that is the reason that the most people are using vim and ruby?
I have no idea. I can't stand vi, though vim certainly sucks less badly.
Emacs I heard is more powerful than vim, you can even play tetris but the popularity fall in contrast of vim which has grown very much. I know about the editor wars but I really can't decide and the more opinions I read, the more I am confused...
I like Emacs much better than vi. But I think it's silly to use a console editor on a GUI box (I don't like Xemacs or Aquamacs).
Best,
Why do you want to use either, instead of something like KomodoEdit or TextMate?
1) Textmate is only for mac, I prefer ubuntu 
2) Textmate doesn't have real code completion
3) Textmate isn't good as an editor... it doesn't have tabs if you
don't use a project and even to move the sidebar, you should do a
"hack" to set it up to the right!
4) Vim and Emacs are much more powerful and extendable.
Komodoedit... hmmm I don't know him, I might try it but I doubt it can compare with vim and emacs, this editors are used from programmers many years.
I have used all the three and it is clear that Vim and Emacs is the way to go for me, but I can't decide clearly... I am a bit more for emacs.
Why do you think it is silly to use it on a GUI box?
Johndel Deliyiannis wrote:
I think I should try Vim or emacs with rails but I don't know with who I should go with.
Try the one you're more familiar with or the one that feels better on your fingertips.
Why do you want to use either, instead of something like KomodoEdit or TextMate?
I tried both and I feel the same... The most people are using vim in ruby community, why? I heard that vim scripting can be replaced with ruby, is this true and that is the reason that the most people are using vim and ruby?
I use Vim. Mostly because it just feels good for me, with the right plugins I have everything I use on every IDE I've used before (that is, code competion, syntax highlighting, code reference, tabs, and a few more). It is highly configurable, and portable (in about 300Kb I have my full 'IDE' everywhere I want) between platforms, and when you need it on a remote server, it's a really nice to have. Also, I abuse of the multi buffer edition on one tab. And, yes, you can also use the mouse if you like it to change the buffers size, select text, etc.
I have no idea. I can't stand vi, though vim certainly sucks less badly.
Emacs I heard is more powerful than vim, you can even play tetris but the popularity fall in contrast of vim which has grown very much. I know about the editor wars but I really can't decide and the more opinions I read, the more I am confused...
Do you really wanna play tetris when you're programming? The power of Emacs has nothing to do with the ability to play tetris on it. Both editors are nice, you have to try them to see which you like the most. I tried Emacs before Vim for rails, and just didn't feel good to me, maybe because I'm using Vim as the default text editor for Linux for about 9 years.
Johndel Deliyiannis wrote:
Why do you want to use either, instead of something like KomodoEdit or TextMate?
[...]
Komodoedit... hmmm I don't know him, I might try it but I doubt it can compare with vim and emacs, this editors are used from programmers many years.
If you don't know about it, then why are you dismissing it out of hand? Try it!
I have used all the three and it is clear that Vim and Emacs is the way to go for me, but I can't decide clearly... I am a bit more for emacs.
Why do you think it is silly to use it on a GUI box?
Because console editors are great for text-only environments, but are less generally usable than GUI editors. I love Emacs in SSH sessions or for quick edits in the Terminal, but I go nuts very quickly when I have to use it on a GUI box. There are many things that simply work better with a mouse and a menu-driven interface. No console-only editor can give me that, and therefore no console-only editor is suitable to use on a GUI box by my standards. (No, Xemacs is not the answer -- it sucks.)
Best,