## Course Objectives - Understand the Ruby on Rails framework and its conventions. - Build full-featured web applications using Rails' MVC architecture. - Master database interactions with Active Record and migrations. - Develop RESTful APIs using Rails for modern web and mobile apps. - Implement security best practices and handle user authentication. - Conduct testing using RSpec and other testing frameworks. - Deploy Rails applications to cloud platforms (Heroku, AWS, etc.). - Utilize version control and CI/CD practices in Rails projects. ## Weekly Breakdown ### Week 1: Introduction to Ruby on Rails and Development Environment #### Topics: - [**Overview of Ruby and Rails: History and current trends.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/mb2IKqfo): Learn about the history of Ruby and Rails, from their evolution to current trends, and grasp key concepts such as MVC and Convention over Configuration. Discover the latest developments in the Ruby on Rails ecosystem, including Ruby 3x, Rails 7x, Hotwire, and StimulusReflex. - [**Setting up the Rails development environment (Ruby, Bundler, Rails gem).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/BBUThwVq): Setting up a Rails development environment involves installing Ruby, Bundler, and the Rails gem. To get started, ensure you have a compatible operating system, a code editor, and internet access. Install Ruby using a package manager or installer, then set up Bundler and Rails using the command line. Once installed, create a new Rails application and explore the project directory structure to begin building scalable web applications. - [**Understanding MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/YBKNQ5NB): Learn how to build scalable web applications using Ruby on Rails by understanding the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, a design pattern that separates an application into three interconnected components. Discover the benefits of MVC, including separation of concerns, reusability, and scalability. - [**Exploring Rails conventions and directory structure.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/tvhv5vg7): Mastering the directory structure and conventions of a Rails application is key to building scalable web apps. This topic covers the essential components, including file naming conventions, Model-View-Controller pattern, and best practices for organizing code. By understanding Rails conventions, developers can create maintainable web applications. #### Lab: - [**Set up a Ruby on Rails development environment and create a basic Rails application with simple routes and views.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/RGORicnQ) #### Lab Summary: Learn to set up a basic Ruby on Rails application with simple routes and views, and get hands-on experience with database configuration, route creation, and view rendering. Create a greeting page and render a greeting message using a simple view, and discover key concepts in Rails development, including MVC architecture and conventions. ### Week 2: Routing, Controllers, and Views #### Topics: - [**Defining routes in Rails (RESTful routes).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/SctFw51V): Master the art of defining routes in Ruby on Rails to create a scalable web application. Learn about RESTful routes and how to define custom routes using the match method. Discover how to use the rake routes command to see a list of all routes defined in your application. - [**Creating controllers and actions.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/ZMMnVptt): Create and manage controllers and actions in Ruby on Rails, and learn how to structure and render responses to user input, using methods like `render`, `redirect_to`, and `render_text`. You'll also discover best practices for keeping your controllers thin and focused, and your actions concise. By the end, you'll be able to confidently build scalable web applications. - [**Building views with Embedded Ruby (ERB) templates.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/e2MEKueU): Learn how to build dynamic views with Embedded Ruby (ERB) templates in Rails, including syntax basics, partials, layouts, and security considerations. Discover how to use ERB to display data, loop through collections, and render HTML elements. - [**Understanding Rails form helpers and handling form submissions.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/f8aIUuD5): Mastering Ruby on Rails forms. Learn how to create robust and scalable forms in your Rails applications using built-in form helpers, handling form submissions, and strong parameters. This overview covers form tag helper, form for helper, and submission handling techniques. #### Lab: - [**Create a simple web application with routing, controllers, and views that display and manage data.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/GThMlM9w) #### Lab Summary: Create a simple web application with Ruby on Rails by building a Bookshelf Manager that handles CRUD operations, covering routing, controllers, views, and database interactions. Learn how to define routes, create models and controllers, and implement views to display and manage data. ### Week 3: Working with Databases and Active Record #### Topics: - [**Introduction to Rails migrations and schema management.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/4PBmV8vh): Learn how to manage changes to your database schema over time with Rails migrations, a version-control system that ensures consistency across development, testing, and production environments. Discover the benefits of using migrations, including reproducibility and collaboration, and master the process of creating, running, and managing migrations. - [**Using Active Record for database interactions.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/d0b45PyQ): Mastering Ruby on Rails database interactions with Active Record, including defining models, common database operations, and using callbacks and validations to ensure data integrity. Learn how to simplify database interactions and write database-agnostic code with Active Record methods and query techniques. Discover practical takeaways for building scalable web applications with Ruby on Rails. - [**Understanding associations in Active Record (belongs_to, has_many, etc.).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/CD9oDhNl): Learn how to define and work with associations in Ruby on Rails' Active Record, including types of associations like belongs_to, has_one, and has_many, and how to configure them for simplified and efficient database interactions. - [**Implementing validations and callbacks in models.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/wWiYuXE3): Learn how to implement validations and callbacks in Rails models to ensure data consistency and integrity. Discover built-in validation methods and callbacks, and how to define custom validation methods for more complex data validation. Master the techniques for keeping validation and callback logic organized and maintainable. #### Lab: - [**Create a database schema for a blog application using migrations and Active Record, implementing associations and validations.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/9BV1dVWW) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to create a database schema for a blog application using Rails migrations and Active Record, including defining associations, validations, and implementing a robust data model for a scalable web application. Discover how to set up relationships between entities like users, posts, comments, and categories, and enforce data consistency with validations. ### Week 4: User Authentication and Authorization #### Topics: - [**Implementing user authentication using Devise or similar gems.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/iJmZugiO): Master Ruby on Rails by learning how to implement user authentication using the Devise gem, a popular and highly customizable solution for handling user sign-up, login, and password recovery in web applications. This guide covers topics such as installation and configuration, creating users and sessions, and customizing Devise features. - [**Understanding session management in Rails.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/hGuC4D8H): Learn how to manage sessions in Rails, including understanding session basics, storing and retrieving data, and configuring session stores, as well as best practices for session management and security. Discover how to use sessions effectively to build scalable and secure web applications. - [**Introduction to authorization (Pundit or CanCanCan).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/HJ8B28Vv): Mastering user authorization in Rails with Pundit and CanCanCan - two popular gems for controlling what actions users can perform on resources within applications. Implement policy-based access control and declarative syntax for defining abilities to ensure robust authorization. - [**Best practices for securing routes and data.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/Zwreo2x4): Secure your Rails application and protect user data with best practices for route and data security, including HTTPS, authentication and authorization, strong parameters, and encryption, to build a scalable and secure web application. Learn how to implement these practices using popular gems like Devise and CanCanCan, and stay up-to-date with the latest security patches. By following these guidelines, you can help safeguard your application and user data from potential threats. #### Lab: - [**Build a user authentication system with registration, login, and role-based access control.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/ise5y5Fe) #### Lab Summary: Create a user authentication system in Ruby on Rails with Devise, featuring registration, login, and role-based access control. Learn how to set up the Devise gem, create a User model, implement role-based access control, and configure routes for registration and login. ### Week 5: RESTful API Development with Rails #### Topics: - [**Introduction to RESTful APIs and best practices.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/A8N5p6gD): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications Learn how to develop RESTful APIs with Rails, a crucial aspect of building scalable web applications. This topic covers the fundamentals of RESTful APIs, their benefits, and best practices for developing them using Rails, including examples and code snippets to get you started. - [**Creating APIs using Rails controllers.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/XmSVd5Td): Learn how to create scalable web applications with Ruby on Rails by mastering RESTful API development. This guide covers the basics of creating APIs using Rails controllers, including defining API endpoints, handling JSON requests and responses, and using Rails' built-in features to create robust APIs. - [**Handling JSON requests and responses.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/8MISdW6u): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications Learn how to handle JSON requests and responses in Rails, a crucial aspect of RESTful API development. This topic covers the basics of JSON, how to use the `json` helper method to return and respond to JSON data, and provides practical examples to help you grasp the concepts. - [**API authentication with token-based systems (JWT).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/ZspG70jB): Learn how to implement secure authentication and authorization in your Rails applications using JSON Web Tokens (JWT). This topic covers the basics of JWT, including token generation, verification, and implementation in Rails, as well as best practices for secure token management. #### Lab: - [**Develop a RESTful API for a task management system with authentication and JSON responses.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/RKbUNSTw) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to build a scalable RESTful API for a task management system using Ruby on Rails, including authentication and JSON responses. This tutorial covers designing, developing, and deploying a RESTful API, as well as implementing authentication using JSON Web Tokens. ### Week 6: Advanced Active Record and Querying #### Topics: - [**Advanced querying techniques with Active Record (scopes, joins).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/pJhjf1iu): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications - Learn advanced querying techniques using scopes and joins to retrieve complex data from your database, and discover how to use eager loading to load related data in a single query. - [**Using eager loading to optimize performance.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/OMuqpzrd): Learn how to optimize your Ruby on Rails application's performance by leveraging the power of eager loading, a technique that loads related objects in a single query, reducing database queries and improving overall efficiency. Discover the benefits, best practices, and practical takeaways for implementing eager loading in your Rails applications. - [**Working with complex database queries and aggregations.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/HWUzhZgz): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications Learn how to use Active Record's powerful querying capabilities to fetch data from your database, perform aggregations, and implement soft deletes and versioning in your models. Discover how to use methods like `group`, `sum`, `joins`, and `where` to perform complex queries and improve your application's scalability. - [**Implementing soft deletes and versioning in models.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/2BsNj5cg): Learn how to implement advanced features in Active Record, such as soft deletes and versioning, to improve the scalability and maintainability of your Ruby on Rails application. Discover how to use these techniques to manage data more effectively and track changes made to your data over time. #### Lab: - [**Implement advanced Active Record features in an application with multiple models and relationships.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/sWAhSBnk) #### Lab Summary: Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications Learn how to implement advanced Active Record features in a Rails application, including scopes, joins, eager loading, and complex queries, to optimize performance and build scalable web applications. ### Week 7: Testing and Debugging in Rails #### Topics: - [**Importance of testing in modern software development.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/ddjM0HSd): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications Discover the importance of testing in modern software development and how it can be applied in Ruby on Rails development to ensure quality, reliability, and maintainability. Learn about the different types of testing, best practices for testing, and how to get started with testing in Ruby on Rails. - [**Introduction to RSpec for unit and integration testing.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/MkqzR4ih): Learn how to write effective unit and integration tests for your Ruby on Rails applications using RSpec, a popular testing framework. This guide covers the basics of RSpec, including fixtures, matchers, and behaviors, and provides practical examples of how to write tests for models, controllers, and views. - [**Writing tests for models, controllers, and views.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/iqPlRyqs): Here's a summary of the blog post: Learn how to write effective tests for your Ruby on Rails models, controllers, and views using the RSpec testing framework. Discover how testing can help ensure your code works as expected, catches bugs early, and reduces debugging time. - [**Debugging techniques and using tools like Byebug.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/CpHGruKg): Mastering debugging techniques and tools like Byebug is crucial for becoming a proficient Ruby on Rails developer. By learning how to use tools like Pry and Byebug, you can identify and fix errors in your code, ensuring a smooth user experience and a well-performing application. With the right debugging skills, you'll be able to write more efficient and reliable code. #### Lab: - [**Write unit and integration tests for a Rails application using RSpec.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/DDAuseq3) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to write effective unit and integration tests for your Ruby on Rails application using RSpec, a popular testing framework. This guide covers the basics of RSpec, setting up the framework, and writing tests for your application, providing a solid foundation for future development and ensuring your application behaves as expected. ### Week 8: Background Jobs and Task Scheduling #### Topics: - [**Introduction to background processing in Rails (Sidekiq, Active Job).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/RqBuDrS5): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications Discover the power of background processing in Rails, and learn how to choose between Sidekiq and Active Job to build scalable web applications. This topic covers the benefits of background processing, the differences between Sidekiq and Active Job, and provides a practical example of how to implement background processing in your Rails application. - [**Creating and managing background jobs.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/IGWwrMEA): Here's a summary of the blog post: Learn how to create and manage background jobs in Ruby on Rails using the popular Sidekiq gem and Active Job. By offloading tasks to the background, you can improve responsiveness, increase scalability, and better handle errors, making your application more robust and efficient. - [**Task scheduling with the Whenever gem.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/RwpAOunY): Learn how to schedule tasks in your Ruby on Rails application using the popular `Whenever` gem. This guide covers the basics of task scheduling, including installation, basic usage, and advanced scheduling options, to help you manage asynchronous tasks with ease. - [**Best practices for handling asynchronous tasks.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/MLx4vz1Z): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications - Learn how to handle asynchronous tasks efficiently in Rails, improving performance, scalability, and user experience. #### Lab: - [**Implement background jobs for sending emails or processing data in a Rails application.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/GRiZfYWW) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to implement background jobs in Ruby on Rails using the Sidekiq gem, improving your application's performance and scalability by executing tasks asynchronously. ### Week 9: File Uploads and Active Storage #### Topics: - [**Handling file uploads in Rails applications.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/4iopdvZU): Learn how to handle file uploads in Rails applications using Active Storage, a robust gem that provides a simple way to store and manage files. This guide covers the basics of file uploads, creating file upload forms, handling file uploads, storing files with Active Storage, and retrieving files from Active Storage. - [**Using Active Storage for managing file uploads.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/aaBf03s9): Learn how to use Active Storage, a built-in gem in Rails, to manage file uploads in your web applications, and discover the benefits of scalability, security, and flexibility it provides. - [**Cloud storage integration (Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/pRqdTotT): Learn how to integrate cloud storage with your Ruby on Rails application, using Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Storage, and follow best practices for secure and efficient file uploads. - [**Best practices for file handling and storage.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/4egC6p3M): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Building Scalable Web Applications - Learn the best practices for file handling and storage in Rails, including the use of Active Storage, to ensure your application handles files securely, efficiently, and scalably. #### Lab: - [**Create a file upload feature using Active Storage to manage user-uploaded images.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/MZ1CkgCH) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to create a file upload feature using Active Storage to manage user-uploaded images in a Rails application, and discover the benefits of using CarrierWave for efficient file handling. ### Week 10: Real-Time Applications with ActionCable #### Topics: - [**Introduction to real-time features in Rails with ActionCable.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/4lnR7xSu): Learn how to introduce real-time features in Ruby on Rails using ActionCable, a powerful library that enables bidirectional communication between the client and server. Discover how to set up ActionCable, create channels, clients, and broadcast messages to all connected clients, and build scalable web applications with real-time features. - [**Building chat applications and live notifications.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/3q1t7nDs): Building Real-Time Chat Applications with ActionCable in Ruby on Rails. This blog post explores how to create real-time chat applications and live notifications using ActionCable, a Ruby on Rails library that enables bi-directional communication between the client and server. - [**Understanding WebSockets and their use cases in Rails.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/QDXWgXT9): Unlock the Power of Real-Time Updates with WebSockets in Rails. Learn how to establish bi-directional communication channels between clients and servers, enabling instant feedback and interactive applications. Discover the use cases and implementation details of WebSockets in Rails, from real-time updates to push notifications. - [**Handling multiple channels and broadcasting.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/hRfJyaxC): Mastering the art of real-time web applications with ActionCable is crucial for building scalable and engaging web applications. This topic delves into handling multiple channels and broadcasting, essential skills for creating complex real-time applications in Rails. By understanding how to create channels that broadcast messages to multiple channels and specific connected channels, you'll be well on your way to building robust and scalable web applications. #### Lab: - [**Build a real-time chat application using ActionCable for live messaging.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/V02pwfQk) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to build a real-time chat application using ActionCable, a Ruby on Rails gem that enables real-time communication between clients and servers. This tutorial covers the key concepts of WebSockets and ActionCable, and provides a step-by-step guide to creating a simple chat application. ### Week 11: Version Control, Deployment, and CI/CD #### Topics: - [**Introduction to Git and GitHub for version control.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/OaVAesik): Learn the fundamentals of version control with Git and GitHub, essential tools for any Ruby on Rails developer. This topic covers the basics of Git, including repositories, commits, branches, and merges, as well as how to install and use GitHub for collaboration. By the end of this topic, you'll be able to track changes, collaborate with others, and deploy your projects with confidence. - [**Collaborating on Rails projects using branches and pull requests.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/HnYRVzLz): Learn how to collaborate effectively on Rails projects using branches and pull requests, a crucial aspect of working in a team and maintaining a stable codebase. By following best practices and using branches and pull requests, you can improve collaboration, version control, and overall project quality. - [**Deploying Rails applications on Heroku or AWS.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/AUxGxtjQ): Learn how to deploy a Ruby on Rails application to Heroku or AWS, and discover the benefits of cloud deployment, including scalability, reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness. - [**Setting up CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions or CircleCI.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/4amCqPPY): Learn how to set up Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines using GitHub Actions and CircleCI to automate your build, test, and deployment process, ensuring faster time-to-market, improved quality, and reduced risk. #### Lab: - [**Deploy a Rails application to Heroku and configure a CI/CD pipeline for automated testing and deployment.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/gxEKix7b) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to deploy a Ruby on Rails application to Heroku and set up a continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipeline for automated testing and deployment. This hands-on lab covers the essential steps for deploying a Rails app to Heroku and configuring a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions. ### Week 12: Final Project and Advanced Topics #### Topics: - [**Scaling Rails applications (load balancing, caching strategies).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/kvxCw27l): Mastering Ruby on Rails: Scaling Your Web Application for Maximum Performance. Learn how to distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers using load balancing techniques like round-robin DNS, HAProxy, and NGINX, and how to cache frequently accessed data in memory to improve performance and scalability. - [**Introduction to microservices architecture with Rails.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/raTzpbnP): Discover how to build scalable web applications with Ruby on Rails by learning about microservices architecture. This advanced topic covers the benefits, tools, and techniques for refactoring monolithic applications into a collection of independent services, allowing for greater flexibility, scalability, and maintainability. - [**Best practices for optimizing performance and security in Rails apps.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/ulhqvcBg): Learn how to optimize the performance and security of your Ruby on Rails applications, ensuring they can handle a large number of users and traffic. Discover techniques such as caching, optimization, and security measures to build scalable web applications. - [**Review and troubleshooting session for final projects.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/OMQkwcbl): Reviewing key concepts like scalability, microservices architecture, and performance optimization is crucial for building successful web applications. This session provides practical solutions and takeaways to help you overcome common issues and achieve a scalable and maintainable web application with Ruby on Rails. #### Lab: - [**Begin working on the final project that integrates learned concepts into a full-stack Ruby on Rails web application.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/GKR3u4ws) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to build a fully functional, scalable, and maintainable Ruby on Rails web application by integrating all the concepts learned throughout the course. This comprehensive guide covers project planning, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance, providing a solid foundation for real-world web development. ## Final Project - **Description:** Develop a complete Ruby on Rails web application that showcases mastery of the topics covered in the course. The project should include user authentication, RESTful APIs, database management, and cloud deployment. - **Presentation:** Students will present their final projects, including a live demo and a code walkthrough. The presentation should cover key design decisions and challenges faced during development. ## Grading Breakdown - **Assignments&Labs:** 40% - **MidtermProject:** 20% - **FinalProject:** 30% - **Participation&Quizzes:** 10%