Over the last decade, the popularity of Ruby on Rails as a web app development solution has always been on the higher end of the graph. Knowledge in Ruby on Rails can land developers into great jobs, projects and lucrative positions in Ruby on Rails development companies. From startups to highly established app development companies, everyone agrees to the same conclusion that Ruby on Rails would be the best choice even when compared to alternatives like Java, Python and others.

So what makes Ruby on Rails so popular?

1.       Handy and versatile

In just 5 lines of code, programmers can choose to take an existing class and overwrite its behavior. While this may seem to be counter intuitive, there is risk in everything. Ruby also makes it much more versatile to draw codes. Ruby does miss out on some features available with newer languages, but all in all, it can be used as a ‘language power continuum’.

2.       Pragmatism

Ruby integrates deep pragmatism into its coding DNA. In collaboration with the other benefits, it has been producing elegant solutions since the last decade. Often referred to as ‘tent’ by programmers, Ruby on Rails doesn’t encourage any level of scripting complications. With Ruby on Rails development, it’s actually more of convention than configuration.

3.       Expressiveness

Using Ruby on Rails is just like studying English. The internal DSL of the language extends with the language’s semantics. With other languages, constructing DSL is always risky as it’s an external addition. With Ruby however, programmers don’t require external parser and yet strike an even balance with the DSL. The platform is perfect to use DSL where it makes good sense and demonstrate self-control. The bottomline of programming in Ruby on Rails is inherent usage of the high quality syntax and smart naming.

4.       The Community

Ruby on Rails is supported by an army of committed programmers who ensure that it stays in the most updated condition. With other languages, one might experience projects simmering down with age but with Ruby, the sparks are retained! A great addition to the language has in fact been its package manager, known to us as RubyGems. Though it was sidetracked for a little while RubyGems found its course and remains unified and acts as a superb resource for bright programmers. There is a provoking synergy between the cool language and its superb community and the pragmatic web framework.

5.       Maturity

When it comes to important decision making, anyone would go for tools that have a proven track record.  Ruby fits the criteria perfectly as it has been around the block for quite some time now and has established several runtimes and interpreters to make it conducive for programmers.

6.       Marketing

Lastly, compared to its younger alternatives, the Ruby site is awesome. Even in the older days, Ruby’s screen cast was breathtaking and one would totally agree to the point that when frameworks are in question, it is best to be in the crowd. Ruby is an obvious choice!

Experts say that the platform gives a perfect solution for the rapidly changing technological environment by speeding up the development processes and saving money and time in the process. These reasons show us why Ruby on Rails remains so popular even after so long.

As the world of smart devices continue to unfold and reveal layers of astonishing benefits, businessmen and executives are turning to maximize their use of these devices to boost workplace productivity. Apple too has integrated these devices with hardware and software that makes it a highly capable tool to assist both work and living. However, it needs to be supported by special apps that meet unique requirements of the business class mass. Here are 5 iPad apps that businessmen across the globe are using every day on their iPads to improve productivity.

1. OfficeTime

Perfect for freelancers and self-employed professionals, OfficeTime will help keep track of the time you have put in professional responsibilities and generate an invoice for the same. A time management solution, this has been helping professionals who bill clients by the hours they put into the project weekly or monthly. You can even use this app to allocate time slots to different projects every day. Keeping track of your time will not just be a professional requirement but also reason your earnings.

2. Pixelmator

Everyone loves to take good photos. Even if you aren’t a serious photographer, you can use Pixelmator to makes your snaps say a story. The app comes integrated with dozens of beautiful templates, frames, typography and other features to add to the images you click. Further, you can even combine images, add text, shapes and use several image editing tools that were limited to Photoshop. For the business user, this can be a valuable part of presentations.

3. Evernote

This app lets you take notes on the go, Evernote has been around in the iOS marketplace for a long time now. A fully-featured solution, the app makes it easier to enter text and will even capture information by taking images with your device camera. In fact, several other productivity apps integrate with Evernote to save content. All the documents gets automatically synced with attached devices and it is being used by professionals globally to create meeting agendas, organize invoices (after taking a picture), and even prepare travel itineraries.

4. Goodreader

Office work isn’t complete without going through some documents every day. It would be great if you can take your documents to mobile and read them at your own convenience. This is exactly what the Goodreader aims to offer. Popular as the best PDF Reader available for iPads, Goodreader even allows you to edit and use full markup capabilities. Users can even use this app to attach comments to specific lines/paragraphs of documents, add text/pictures, rearrange text, extract and conveniently email the same on the go.

5. OneNote

Developed by Microsoft, OneNote is one the best iPad apps ever developed and allows users to create notes on the go. Whatever industry you may belong to, ideas always keep running in and you need to take every opportunity to jot them down for later. OneNote doesn’t just allow you to take notes on the go but also sync the same with your computer and other attached devices. You can even do all kinds of text formatting including bold, highlighting, underlining, indenting and change font colors.

Zend Framework, better known as ZF, has brought tremendous changes in a PHP developer’s world. As opposed to the traditional website development platforms, Zend allows creation of robust PHP based solutions and web applications. Today, Zend is one of the most popular web development framework used across the globe to create interactive and powerful websites, and it’s not without good reason. There are a good number of beneficial features that aids a programmer to code better. They include:

1.       Extended classes

ZF is a completely object oriented platform and consequently uses lot of OO (object oriented) concepts including interfaces and inheritance. This allows the developer to extend its components to a good extent. Further, this helps developers in implementing their own versions/variations of     each individual component without hacking into the codebase. Customizations such as this bring uniqueness to each project.

2.       The goodness of object orientation

When working in a Zend framework, everything needs to be seen and used as an object. However, this also has its set of disadvantages such as making the coding more complicated. However, it does provide the upper hand by making the codes reusable. However, seldom do developers repeat their code and this makes it a good choice.

3.       Focus on just what you require and forget everything else

Going by the design, Zend is a simple collection of classes. In every ZF project, you would see that the Zend MVC components are being used. However, in other cases, you can just load required components. The Zend platform is quite decoupled, offering each component as an individual library, instead of being a framework as a whole. Developers working in ZF must have heard about glue framework. This actually refers to the decoupled nature of ZF and its ability to be “glued” to existing applications.

4.       Does a lot many things

Zend integrates a lot of components ranging from user authentication to controlling access to resources. Similarly, it is easy to integrate RSS feeds and create forms.

5.       No model implementation

This is both the reason that some developers don’t use Zend framework and some others love it. Lack of model implementation provides developers the flexibility of using any element to achieve the end result. There are no restraints holding back the already complicated implementation.

6.       Integrate ZF with anything

The decoupled nature of ZF makes its suitable to integrate external libraries to be used in the platform. For example, developers planning to use Smarty as their template can simple integrate a wrapping class with Zend_View_Abstract, which in turn uses Smarty to render.

7.       Standards and guidelines

Every contributor should sign a Contribute License Agreement (CLA) and each code must adhere to generalized Coding Standards. This makes every code highly qualitative, tested and readable.

8.       Test driven development practice

Developers are required to write tests for their codes to make it easier to exchange codes, refactor, create input/output whitelist and think of potential use cases.

9.       Documentation and Community

Due to the high complexity, ZF integrates a steep learning curve. However, documentation and an all pervasive community makes it easier for learners to understand the platform.

10.   Certifications

Finally, ZF is perhaps one of the few platforms that offer both Zend Framework Certification and PHP Certification. This will certainly motivate young and emerging developers to take up training and certification exams that will help build their portfolio.

Bullet is an exciting plugin developed by Richard Huang for Ruby on Rails. It reduces the number of queries made by an application. It was first used in 2009 and since then, it has proved to be a powerful gem that helps monitor Ruby on Rails applications for performance improvements. Bullet seeks several ways to notify problems including JavaScript alerts, XMPP alerts and Growl notifications. Further, it saves its bullet.log statement to trace the exact root of the alert.

Here are some interesting tips to optimize Queries in rails using Bullet.

The traditional method (sans the optimization)

This is the old fashioned method of optimization which was initially used by bullet. This example shows two models; Order and Product, wherein an Order consists of many Products. The code script should be:

In app/controllers/orders_controller.rb

class OrdersController < ApplicationController

def index

@orders = Order.all

end

end

In app/views/orders/index.html.erb

<h1>Orders</h1>

<% @orders.each do |order| %>

  <div>

    <h2><%=link_to order.title, order_path(order)%></h2>

  </div>

  <%order.products.each do |product|%>

     <ul class=”product”>

        <li><%=link_to product.title, product_path(product)%></li>

     </ul>

  <%end%>

<% end %>

Source - http://blog.andolasoft.com/2013/05/3-easy-steps-to-optimize-queries-in-rails-using-bullet.html#

This script would however generate some N+1 query issues, the reason being that we have set the query just once in order to get the orders and then separate each query to fetch the products. These are also the kinds of problems that are quite frequently and easily overlooked by programmers. Also, this is where the “Bullet” gem helps in avoiding the issues.

The gem “Bullet” can be integrated to the query in just three easy steps.

Step 1:

Add “Bullet” get to the Gemfile

/Gemfile.rb

gem 'bullet', '4.6.0', :group => “development”

Run the “bundle install” to install the gem “bullet” in development group

Step 2:

Optimize the configuration setting in the development.rb file

For slowing the “bullet” to change its configuration using the after_initialize block contained in the development.rb file. Set the alert as “true” to get the alarms via the browser.

config.after_initialize do

    Bullet.enable = true

    Bullet.alert = true

    Bullet.bullet_logger = true

    Bullet.console = true

    Bullet.rails_logger = true

  end

Step 3:

Restarting the server

You need to both restart the server and reload the page. After step 2, you would see a JavaScript alert popup in the browser with the detected N+1 query. The alert would contain the file that holds the issue and the suggestions to what could be done to override the problem.

The N+1 query can be simultaneously fixed using the following steps:

In Controller,

lass OrdersController < ApplicationController

  def index

    @orders = Order.includes(:products)

  end

end

After you have changed the statement from “Order all” to “Order.includes’ (:products), you need to call eager loading to fetch the products. The date herein would be fetched using two queries, one to obtain the orders and the other to retrieve the products in the orders.

The gem “bullet” can also point out when we are unnecessarily eager loading.

Benefits of optimization

1. No need to search each line of code to figure out inefficiency in database query
2. Automatic notification / alert messages
3. Prevent inefficient database query like N+1
4. Detect unused eager loading

Android attracts the majority of app developers, thanks to the continuous innovation of Google Play. Apart from providing an open-source environment, the Play Store has definitely become a refuge for those who have been overwhelmed by the strict guidelines of the iOS App Store. Also, the lack of any definitive approval process makes it easier to submit your application and invest your time and money in the development process. However, if you are daring enough to look beyond these loose ends, there are special Android development platforms that can give wings to your imagination.

However, given all the opportunities present in the Google Play Store, there are hurdles to be crossed by the developer to create a smash hit mobile app. When it comes to the hardware, Android can be provokingly fragmented, leading to manufacturers having their own proprietary modifications (HTC Sense).  Here’s a list of the top 5 Android Development Platforms:

1.       Android SDK

The basic Android ‘Software Development Kit’ can be the go-to platform for any developer looking to start his career with app development. The platform offers easy tools for API documentation, debugging, system images that support testing, and other tools that perfectly integrate with the Google ecosystem. Android SDK further includes essentials like licensing and Google Play billing that enables an easier and more secure app sales and distribution.

2.       Titanium Mobile SDK

Developers are specifically interested in platforms that help them maximize their effort in reaching out to maximum users across a wide range of devices. For developers interested in crafting apps that can reach out to both iOS and web users, the Titanium Mobile SDK can be a game-changer. Developed by Appcelerator, Titanium SDK supports a minimum of 5,000 different devices and mobile OS APIs. It gives developers the freedom to run their applications like the native apps for both Android and iOS. Titanium SDK even goes a step further by offering device-agnostic HTML5 applications that will be compatible with any device, increasing your audience reach in the process.

3.       Gimbal Context-Aware

Mobile applications that are based on geography and user experiences can not only impress developers but can be life-changing for end users. Gimbal, developed by Qualcomm integrates context awareness and offers a platform that is secure and resource-efficient. Using web-based dashboards; developers can easily set up Geofence locations that identify hotspots in-app interactions. Gimbal further tracks web activity and user preferences to customize the application experience for individual users. Additionally, there are some strict regulations to user privacy and developer controls.

4.       Vuforia Augmented Reality

Another android development platform by Qualcomm, Vuforia has impressed many developers. Augmented Reality promises developers a tech vision that recognizes and produces real-world imaging and 3D targets. For developers building a game for Android, Vuforia can be the perfect solution to the desired AR experience.

5.       AppMachine

An easy to use developer platform, AppMachine supports designing and development of native apps for both Android and iOS. Developers simply need to combine building blocks across features that include photos and videos. Developers have complete control over fonts, icons, colors, navigation paths, and the overall layout.

Apps for Teachers

Technology has changed teaching trends significantly. Today, the focus has shifted to STEM education and more emphasis is being given to STEM classes. The educator has also become the student and requires more than just a workbook to teach and motivate students to learn and understand using technology.

Just like every sphere of life has an app, there are numerous apps available specifically for teachers to engage students, improve student behavior and make classroom sessions more interesting and fruitful.

Here are 5 must-have apps that all teachers should have to get desired results in the classroom.

1. The ClassDojo App

The ClassDojo app acts as a classroom tool that provides techniques to bring quick changes to classroom behavior. One good thing about this app is that it allows the teacher to capture and generate date related to student behavior and share with parents as well as administrators.

Teachers also can use the app to give feedback and encourage or motivate students. The app allows teachers to submit and view data and reports related to student behavior.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/classdojo/id552602056?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.classdojo.android&hl=en

2. Edmodo

The Edmodo is a wonderful support aid for teachers. This amazing app helps teachers improve their level of interaction with students, even when both are not physically present in the school. The Edmodo app lets teachers and students enjoy secure classroom discussions and easy sharing of assignments. Besides these features, the app lets teachers upload important files related to projects and lessons that students can use and refer to.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/edmodo/id378352300?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fusionprojects.edmodo&hl=en

3. Remind 101

The Remind101 app helps teachers send announcements and notices to parents and students. Although a common functionality, this app has a unique feature – it prioritizes privacy.

The app lets the teacher hide their contact details and/or identity when sharing information with parents and students. In addition, the personal details of recipients too are kept hidden. The ‘privacy’ feature offered by the Remind 101 app makes it different and more effective compared to apps that offer the same features and functionalities.

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/remind-safe-classroom-communication/id522826277?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.remind101&hl=en

4. Math Formulas

It is quite difficult to remember all the math formulae related to different equations and mathematical concepts. Not remembering the formula in a classroom setting can send teachers into a tizzy. This is where the Math Formulas app comes to the rescue.

It is a compilation of innumerable math formulae. These formulae cover almost every topic in math, from trigonometry to geometry and algebra to matrices. However, this particular app is available only for Android devices, but you can get similar apps for iOS devices, as well.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nsc.mathformulas.lite&hl=en

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/maths-formulas-free/id645431389?mt=8

5. Geddit

The Geddit app is designed to help teachers identify students’ weaknesses and strengths. This amazing app lets teachers understand a student’s attitude to learning and their ability to understand different aspects of a lesson.

This interaction through the app allows the teacher to cater to the individual needs of students, conduct a one-on-one session for better comprehension and assist students get confident to progress to the next level.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geddit-student/id827542924?mt=8

If you are an educator, these are the 5 apps you should have on your smart device to improve interaction with and make learning fun for your students.

Wearable technology, a relatively new phenomenon to enter the market, has already caused a lot of stir among gadget users. The smart watch market is emerging as an interesting technology disruptor. With the launch of the new Apple watch, corporate life may be well set for a visibly drastic change in future. The innovative smart product is made to be used in conjunction with Apple phones and tablets, and can very well become the harbinger of change in our day-to-day corporate lives. Let’s dive in and see the influence this watch can have on our corporate lives.

The Possible Impact

While corporate life and activities today have a lot to do with smartphones and tablets, the launch of the Apple watch means that people are now more likely to glance at their wrists rather than whip out their smart devices every now and then. According to market research, a staggering 45% of consumers are expected to acquire and use smart watches in the coming years. This powerful piece of technology and its adoption can very well bring about a sea change in corporate life, office policies, productivity and daily routine. Positive changes are likely to improve corporate life and spur creativity and efficiency, while negative changes can have a detrimental overall impact.

Staying Engaged

Mobile phone alerts and notifications have long been considered one of the largest distractions at work, although it might sometimes be necessary for people to receive work-related communication on their smart devices. With the new Apple watch, receiving notifications has just got easier. This has the potential to distract people in office and take up more of their time with activities of a more personal nature. Corporate efficiency can suffer a setback for the same reason. Breaks in concentration during an intense period of work might happen more readily if people are sporting smart watches.

Many are of the opinion that, instead of the new technology, it is the work culture and practices that influence this change. The need for corporate employees is to concentrate on their work for long durations of time without distractions, and the Apple watch might provide them with yet another excuse to take multiple, non-productive breaks. To minimize the occurrence of these, several experts have noted that there needs to be an overhaul of company policies.

Changes to Expect

With the massive potential that the Apple watch has to offer, it can be easy to turn things around and use the device as a positive influence on corporate life. With a plethora of productivity apps and solutions expected to be available shortly, companies can integrate the device into their daily business workflow. There is a need for more stringent security practices and privacy policy to protect sensitive information. A great example of using the Apple watch to aid corporate processes is to use the technology for access control and time attendance instead of clunky key cards. Company updates, important information about events, seminars and training programs can also be made available on the Apple watch, making it a smooth and seamless companion for your corporate life, exuding a positive, conducive influence.

Do write in to us and let us know what other possible ramifications can come out of the Apple Watch.