How to Install Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Installing Ruby on Rails can be challenging for new developers, but this guide makes it easy!

What Is Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rails is a web application framework built on the Ruby programming language. It offers a comprehensive set of libraries, code templates, and toolkits designed to streamline the development process. With its Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, Ruby on Rails is highly flexible and suitable for various web applications, including websites and content management systems (CMS).

How to Install Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu

This section will guide you through the installation of Ruby on Rails on an Ubuntu 22.04 virtual private server (VPS). Before you begin, ensure that you have purchased a VPS hosting plan that runs the Ubuntu operating system.

1. Prepare Your Ubuntu Server

To set up the Rails environment, start by connecting to your VPS using an SSH client like PuTTY or Terminal. If you’re a user of Hostinger, you can access your server remotely through the Browser terminal and run Linux commands directly from your web browser.

Before diving in, make sure your system is clean and free of unnecessary software, as bloatware can slow down performance and lead to conflicts. Hostinger users have the option to choose a minimal operating system to create an easy-to-set-up hosting environment.

To find your server’s IP address and SSH login credentials, navigate to the VPS Dashboard and click on Overview. It’s advisable to log in as a superuser rather than root to prevent accidental modifications that might disrupt your system.

Once logged in, update your Ubuntu repository to install the latest package versions with the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

2. Install Ruby on Ubuntu

Before installing Ruby on Rails, you need to have the Ruby programming language, a code compiler, and a JavaScript runtime. Depending on your project’s requirements, you might also need additional packages like Redis or Readline.

For this tutorial, we’ll show you how to install the necessary software using APT. To install Ruby, execute:

sudo apt install ruby-full -y

Check if Ruby installed successfully by running:

sudo ruby -v

If you see a “Command not found” error, it indicates a failure in the installation. However, if the terminal displays the Ruby version number, you can proceed with the next steps.

Next, install other essential packages like the build-essential compiler, Git version control, PostgreSQL database, SSL library, and zlib compression with this command:

sudo apt install -y build-essential git-core libssl-dev zlib1g-dev postgresql postgresql-server-dev-all

For detailed instructions on setting up a default database and Postgres user, check out our guide on installing PostgreSQL on Ubuntu.

Verify that these packages are correctly installed by checking their versions. For build-essential, use:

apt list --installed | grep build-essential

Then, install the Node.js JavaScript runtime and Yarn package manager for the asset pipeline:

sudo apt install -y nodejs yarn

Using the latest versions is recommended for optimal compatibility, security, and functionality. If you’re unsure, check the developer release notes.

3. Install Rails on Ubuntu

With Hostinger’s Rails VPS hosting plans, you can set up Ubuntu with Rails/OpenLiteSpeed in just one click. Each package includes a browser terminal and Kodee – an AI Assistant.

We will install Ruby on Rails using the RubyGem package manager, which is the official source for the framework. This tool helps manage Ruby gems, ensuring you have the latest version and frequent updates.

RubyGem usually comes pre-installed with Ruby. Check for it by querying the version number:

gem -v

If RubyGem is not installed, you can do so with:

sudo apt install rubygems -y

Then, install essential development packages like the Bundler dependency management system and the rbenv version manager:

sudo gem install bundler && sudo apt install rbenv -y

If you plan to host multiple applications requiring different Ruby versions, use the ruby-build plugin with rbenv to define a default Ruby version for your entire system:

rbenv global 2.2.3

Once all prerequisites are set up, initiate the Rails installation process with:

sudo gem install rails

Check that Rails installed correctly by querying its version:

rails -v

If you’re using Hostinger VPS, installing Rails can be done in just a few easy steps:

Log in to the hPanel and click on VPS in the top menu.
Select your VPS plan.
Navigate to OS & Panel → Operating System.
In the Change OS window, select Application.
Choose OpenLiteSpeed and Rails.
Click Change OS.

Warning! Reinstalling your VPS operating system will erase all its data. Remember to back up your files if you want to keep them.

4. Set up a Development Environment

After preparing your hosting area, it’s time to set up your Rails development environment. While the process can differ based on your operating system, this guide will focus on setting it up in Windows.

The setup for Ubuntu is similar to that of the hosting area. First, you’ll need a code editor or an integrated development environment (IDE) to write and debug your Rails application code. Choose software you’re comfortable with; if you’re unsure, check out our article on the best code editors. We recommend using Visual Studio Code (VSCode) due to its versatility and available plugins that enhance development efficiency, such as the VSCode rdbg Ruby code debugger.

Installing Ruby on Windows

Windows users must download the Ruby installer package manually from the official RubyInstaller website. We recommend using the latest version of Ruby with the DevKit.

After downloading, double-click on the executable file to install Ruby, which will also configure RubyGem and the WEBrick web server. WEBrick serves as a local development server, allowing you to host applications on your machine for testing.

Installing Rails on Windows

To install Rails on Windows, open Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the VSCode Terminal as an administrator and run:

gem install rails

Check the installation by verifying the Rails version:

rails -v

Installing Git Version Control

Git allows seamless code and file management between your local machine and the live environment. While Hostinger VPS supports methods like SFTP, Git is more efficient.

Download the latest version from the official Git website and complete the installation. Open Git Bash and run the following command to check the version:

git version

Set up a Git repository to host your project code and documentation on a platform that fits your workflow, such as GitHub or BitBucket.

5. Create Your First Rails Application

To create a new Rails application, open your VSCode terminal by pressing Ctrl + ` and navigate to your project directory with the cd command:

cd D:\Project

Create new Rails project files and folders by running the following command, replacing rails_app with your desired application name:

rails new rails_app

Your application folder will contain several directories, each designated for specific functions. For instance, the app/path directory holds your main application components, while config/ houses the configuration files. Refer to the Rails start guide for more details about the structure.

Navigate to the application’s main folder using the cd command and start the project with:

rails server --binding=0.0.0.0

Open your web browser and enter localhost:3000. If you see the Rails welcome screen, you’re ready to start coding your application and pushing files to your server using Git commands.

After transferring your files to your VPS, connect via SSH, navigate to your project folder, and run the same command to start the application:

rails server --binding=0.0.0.0

By visiting your VPS IP address:3000 in your web browser, you should see your application. Press Ctrl + C in the command line to stop the application, and rerun the command to restart it.

Ruby on Rails Best Practices

Let’s explore some best practices for installing Ruby on Rails to streamline your development process:

Use Version Management with Ruby Version Manager (RVM)

Hosting multiple applications with different Ruby versions on a single server can lead to compatibility issues. RVM solves this problem by allowing users to manage multiple Ruby installations through a command line interface, making it easy to switch between versions. RVM also enables users to manage isolated environments for gem installations called gemsets.

Hostinger VPS allows RVM installation to create a robust environment for your applications, enhancing functionality and simplifying development.

Enhance Development With Essential Gems and Packages

In Ruby on Rails, gems are packages that extend framework functionality. You can easily install them using the Bundler gem dependency manager. Simply add your desired gem to your project’s Gemfile:

gem 'gem_name'

Then, run the following command to install the gem:

bundle install gem_name

There are numerous gems for various purposes. For instance, install Devise for user authentication or use Paperclip or CarrierWave for file uploads.

Use Version Control with Git

A version control system allows developers to track changes in their projects, providing restore points for troubleshooting and enabling continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) automation.

Git is a powerful version control system that streamlines development tasks and enhances collaboration, enabling developers to work concurrently on a project. Utilize simple Git commands to push files to a remote server and create isolated development branches to improve efficiency. Check out our Git tutorial for more information.

Join the Ruby on Rails Community

Ruby is among the most widely-used server-side programming languages, and the Rails framework boasts a large community of users. This community support is invaluable for beginners who may need help troubleshooting issues. You can ask questions or search for solutions on various online forums.

For example, Rails has an official forum with many active users, as well as unofficial discussion boards hosted by Rails course providers like GoRails or on platforms like Reddit.

Stay Updated

Installing the latest versions of Ruby and Rails helps ensure your application benefits from the latest security patches and bug fixes. Staying updated also guarantees new software compatibility and performance improvements.

To keep your development environment stable, subscribe to web development newsletters, participate in forums, and check release notes regularly. If you manage multiple applications, consider using RVM to simplify the task. List available Ruby versions with:

rvm list

Install Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu FAQ

In this section, we will answer several common questions about installing Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu.

How to Download Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu?

To download Rails on Ubuntu, you need RubyGems, which is pre-configured during Ruby installation. After installing Ruby via Ubuntu’s APT manager, you can download the Rails framework using the command:

gem install rails

Which IDE Is Best for Ruby on Rails Ubuntu?

If you’re using the Ruby on Rails framework exclusively, we recommend RubyMine for its built-in tools that enhance Ruby code writing and debugging. For a free IDE that works with various frameworks, Microsoft VSCode is an excellent choice.

Can I Host Ruby on Rails Applications on <a href=”https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=1CRYPTO99″ rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank”>Hostinger</a>’s VPS?

Absolutely! Hostinger VPS supports all the necessary software required to develop and host Ruby on Rails applications. Our platform provides a clean hosting environment that you can easily customize to your needs, along with an Ubuntu 22.04 and Rails template that allows for quick server setup.

Ready to get started? Check out Hostinger for affordable VPS hosting that supports Ruby on Rails!

Conclusion

Ruby on Rails is a powerful framework for developing web applications, offering a wide range of libraries, templates, and toolkits that simplify the development process. In this article, we covered the steps to install Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu:

Prepare your hosting environment by connecting to your remote VPS via SSH with a superuser account, installing the Ubuntu operating system, and updating packages via APT.
Install Ruby using APT to set up Ruby, RubyGems, and other essential dependencies like PostgreSQL and NodeJS.
Install Rails using RubyGems, including rbenv or RVM if you plan to manage multiple Ruby environments.
Set up a development environment by downloading a text editor or IDE like VSCode and configuring Ruby and Rails.
Create your application by running the rails new command in your IDE’s terminal, writing your application code, and pushing it to your server using Git or an FTP client.

Using the latest versions of Ruby and Rails ensures optimal application performance and stability. Stay updated by checking release notes and engaging with the Ruby on Rails community. To enhance your development process further, consider using RVM, additional gems, and the Git version control system. Hostinger VPS hosting provides all these tools to streamline your web development journey.

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