What's new in Ruby on Rails 8

Ruby on Rails has always been a central technology in our development stack. Thanks to its elegant syntax, convention over configuration philosophy and rich ecosystem of gems, Rails has enabled us to realise numerous projects quickly and efficiently. Whether for complex web applications, scalable APIs or SaaS solutions, this framework has proven to be a reliable and productive choice.

Version 8 of Ruby on Rails was released on 8 November 2024, introducing a number of significant improvements in terms of performance, distribution and modern development. This article will explore the main new features of the release and their impact on the way we develop web applications.

Rails 8 aims to reduce the number of ancillary services required for the complete operation of the application. If databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL and services such as Redis for jobs, caching and WebSocket were required in the past, now, thanks to a series of new database-based adapters, it is possible to manage these functionalities using SQLite. These adapters are: Solid Cable, Solid Cache and Solid Queue, let's take a closer look at them.

Rails 8 introduces Propshaft, a modernised asset pipeline that replaces Sprockets. Propshaft offers more streamlined and intuitive asset management, improving compatibility with contemporary JavaScript tools such as bun, esbuild and Vite. This update aims to improve developer efficiency and reduce configuration complexity.

This new version brings significant improvements to Active Record, the ORM component of Rails. The updates include query optimisations and more efficient association management, helping to improve the overall performance of the application and simplify interaction with the database.

Rails 8 increases support for the use of SQLite in production environments, making it a more viable choice for small and medium-sized applications. Enhancements include more robust connection management and performance optimisations, giving developers more flexibility in choosing the right database for their needs.

A highly anticipated new feature is the inclusion of a complete authentication system generator. The tool provides an out-of-the-box solution for the implementation of session-based authentication systems, reducing the need for customised implementations or reliance on third-party vendors. In addition, Rails 8 offers seamless integration with security tools such as 1Password, Bitwarden and LastPass, simplifying the management of sensitive data and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.

Rails 8 simplifies and accelerates Dockerfile configuration for Rails applications, with a focus on production readiness. Such improvements include separating development and production needs, using secure base images, and improving caching to reuse unchanged layers, speeding up builds and improving deployment times in CI/CD pipelines.

Besides the many backend innovations, Rails 8 also introduced improvements for the frontend, thanks to the evolution of Stimulus and Turbo, two key technologies of the Hotwire suite.

Stimulus, the minimal JavaScript framework for Rails, has been enhanced with new APIs that make it even easier to handle events and control the DOM. Now, developers can exploit more efficient bindings, improving application interactivity without having to resort to heavier frameworks such as React or Vue.

Turbo has received significant improvements, making page loading even faster and optimising dynamic navigation. Turbo Frames and Turbo Streams have been refined to improve partial page refreshes, reducing the number of requests to the server and improving the overall performance of web applications.

These improvements enable the development of more responsive and fluid interfaces, keeping the use of customised JavaScript to a minimum and reducing the complexity of frontend code.

One of the main new features of Rails 8 is the integration of Kamal 2, a tool that facilitates the deployment of applications on any server, be it a virtual machine in the cloud or local hardware. This integration makes it possible to configure a Linux server to host the application, requiring only the servers' IP addresses and an SSH key. The process allows an application to be put into production in less than two minutes.

Moreover, Rails 8 includes an optimised Dockerfile that incorporates Thruster, Rails 8 also includes an optimised Dockerfile that uses Thruster, a proxy that works in front of the Puma web server. Thruster improves performance through X-Sendfile, caching and asset compression, eliminating the need for additional web servers such as Nginx. As a result, the standard Rails container can receive traffic immediately.

Next, Kamal 2 introduces Kamal Proxy, a customised proxy that replaces alternatives such as Traefik. Kamal Proxy ensures seamless updates, automatic SSL certificates with Let's Encrypt and support for multiple applications on one server without complicated configurations.

Rails 8 introduces a number of significant updates that simplify development, improve performance and enhance application security. If you are looking for a reliable partner to develop your project in Ruby on Rails or to maintain your application, DevInterface can offer you expertise, support and tailor-made solutions. Contact us to find out how we can help you get the most out of Rails 8!