jRuby

JRuby

jRuby is an implementation of the Ruby programming language that runs on the Java virtual machine (JVM). It allows developers to use Ruby syntax and libraries while leveraging the performance, scalability, and enterprise features of Java.
jRuby image
ruby jvm dynamic objectoriented

jRuby: Java Implementation of Ruby

jRuby is an implementation of the Ruby programming language that runs on the Java virtual machine (JVM). It allows developers to use Ruby syntax and libraries while leveraging the performance, scalability, and enterprise features of Java.

What is JRuby?

jRuby is an implementation of the Ruby programming language that runs on the Java virtual machine (JVM). It was created in 2001 by Jan Arne Petersen and was later adopted in 2006 by the Sun Microsystems-sponsored Ruby community. jRuby allows developers to use Ruby syntax and libraries while running on the JVM and interacting with Java code and libraries.

Some key features and benefits of jRuby include:

  • Performance and scalability - By running on the JVM, jRuby can take advantage of the JVM's advanced memory management and just-in-time compilation for improved performance and scalability.
  • Access to Java libraries - jRuby allows tight integration with popular Java libraries and frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, JPA, etc.
  • Runs on JEE application servers - jRuby can run on JEE app servers like Tomcat, JBoss, GlassFish, WebLogic etc. This allows building and deploying Ruby web apps easily.
  • Native threads - jRuby provides true native threads instead of Ruby green threads, allowing better utilization of multi-core processors.
  • Interoperability with Java code - Java and Ruby code can interact seamlessly in the same application in jRuby.

Some popular uses of jRuby include Ruby on Rails apps that need scalability, low-latency Ruby apps, and gradual integration of Ruby into existing Java enterprise systems. Major companies like Airbnb, Netfix, and Square use jRuby in production deployments.

JRuby Features

Features

  1. Runs Ruby code on the Java Virtual Machine
  2. Allows calling Java code from Ruby
  3. Access to Java libraries and frameworks
  4. Good performance and scalability
  5. Can be used with Java EE application servers
  6. Supports Rails and most Ruby gems

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Leverages strengths of the Java platform

Faster performance than MRI Ruby

Scales well on multicore systems

Mature and production-ready

Access to vast Java ecosystem

Runs on Java EE application servers

Cons

Startup time can be slower than MRI Ruby

Not all Ruby C extensions are supported

Debugging and tooling not as rich as MRI Ruby

Not fully compatible with MRI Ruby in some edge cases


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