Workshop 8

Despite the fact that we didn’t use the online tools for the workshop series and we didn’t have an online production server I found the workshop series to be a good introduction to the Ruby on Rails framework. I enjoyed the RailsSpace book we had to read in Workshop 6, Hartl, M & Prochazka, A, (2008). RailsSpace. I believe the online tutorials were helpful and insightful as well.

1.Strengths of Ruby on Rails workshop series:

.The book RailsSpace, it’s strength lies in its ability to give insights into the framework and tie in the underlying paradigms whilst allowing you to apply it. In my opinion the best way to learn and retain anything is through cognitive exploration, in this case, developing a small application. Further, because it discussed and applied the topics associated with the Rails conventions as you moved through the book, you gained a stronger understanding of the framework itself. By creating an application you can visualise and commit to memory the theoretical concepts like the MVC design pattern.

.The Ruby and Ruby on Rails tutorials and developing the OTBS application, introduced in Workshops 3, 4, 5 and 6 although small and trivial, as in the case of Workshop 4, at least presented a more applied learning approach. Without this approach I found myself struggling to understand concepts like symbols and block structures.

.I did Workshop 6, I could see how each paradigm is applied to the Rails framework, one could see the MVC pattern in the structure of the directories, and the way controllers actions are used by the Views and how the Model directories apply the ORM ActiveRecord. As I learnt about the Layout’s and Partial Views I could see that how the convention of DRY was applied, and as you learn about how Ruby is fairly open language in terms of the way you can liberally employ it’s programming syntax, the Rails framework is quite strict in that it has its own conventions and standards for doing things that makes it easy to build around hence Convention over Configuration

2.Weaknesses of Ruby on Rails workshop series:

.In fact, the workshop series should have been moved to the first week of the course with RailsSpace introduced as the first Workshop along with some basic exercises on the Ruby programming syntax. In its current form the Workshops I believe are undermined by a lack of continuity as you progress one workshop to the next. Also the fact that in one Workshop, Workshop 6, we are expected to read and apply the whole text in a single sitting in order to gain a much deeper understanding of everything that has been stated in preceding Workshops. In my view it is too much to expect from full-time students or full-time workers studying part-time. I would like to see the book used, but its material presented over a longer period of time.

.There should be more practical workshop exercises. Workshop 4 had several small exercises but none that really challenged and linked the Ruby language to the Rails framework. In the form of practical development topics that linked directly to the paradigms Rails uses. For example RailsSpace demonstrates Partials to explain DRY and compares multiple possibilities of the Ruby syntax to what the Rails conventions expects you to use.

.The scope and specification of the OTBS application were not clearly defined. I wasn’t sure where the OTBS application was heading and what was required. The workshops seemed disjointed as well by not mentioning or providing a practical developmental continuous approach to building the OTBS application with each workshop.

3.Aspects of Ruby on Rails workshop series:

.Initially understanding elements of the Ruby syntax. I found concept symbols confusing, although again it wasn’t until after completing Workshop 6 that I developed a better understanding of them.

.Workshop 6. It was without a doubt a massive effort to expect us to get through 500+ pages and apply the knowledge. I managed in four continuous days to get up to chapter 9 and then after that read other chapters I thought would help but it is not a realistic expectation in my opinion.

4.Improvements could be made to the Ruby on Rails workshop series:

.The text, RailsSpace, needs to begin in Workshop 1, and the relevant chapters marked to provide more direct guidance. Also the content needs to be spaced evenly over more than one Workshop.

.The OTBS application should have a more clearly defined scope and set of requirements. That way we can test what we have completed and also discuss and compare notes. At the moment when I see the other blogs I’m not sure what the requirements are because everybody has their own interpretations.

.More practical and better quality exercises that link directly to the Rails paradigms.

5. Reflect on your experiences with the other Web framework used in this subject: Was it effective? How can it be improved? Should other Web frameworks be used as well or instead of Ruby on Rails?

In fact, Ruby on Rails is the newest web application framework and having more effects and conveniences to use and develop the website. With many advantages and disadvantages to create the application on web, RoR which is less coding to build up the web page and the framework has many supports for user. I have already developed the web application on other frameworks such as .NET, Java and PHP. They have some strengths and weaknesses, but they give full control for developers and many support from third company to make the web application in the powerfull.

6. Did the Developer’s or IT managers Team that you joined after workshop 4 have a preference towards using other tools to facilitate collaboration? Comment on the differences between these use of the sub-forum or Interact wiki tools from your experiences in this subject.

.It was difficult to organise. I know I am in a different time zone than most of the other students. Again this shouldn’t be an excuse but I think it hasn’t helped the situation.

.We started the workshops late in the course. More time may have given us something to talk about.

.No clear direction for the OTBS application. Conversely you could argue that this should stimulate conversation, but it didn’t. I think this was because we didn’t really cover Rails in depth until Workshop 6 and by that time everyone is scurrying to complete and finish other higher priority tasks.

7. Further comments to add?

I have enjoyed the course and learning Ruby on Rails and the MVC design pattern. I think the next step would be to continue learning Rails and setup a production environment on Ubuntu so I cant test deployment correctly. From there develop small applications and build on my understanding of Rails.