Ruby and HTML are two essential languages for web development, though they serve quite different purposes. This guide will compare Ruby and HTML in depth – their history, use cases, strengths and weaknesses. Read on to find out which one is better for your needs!
A Brief History of Ruby
Ruby was created in the mid-1990s by Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto in Japan. Matz designed it to balance programmer productivity with code readability.
The first version released in 1995. Ruby quickly gained popularity in the 2000s as the basis for the Ruby on Rails web app framework. Today Ruby powers over 300,000 websites, including famous sites like Twitter, Airbnb and Twitch.
A Brief History of HTML
HTML stands for “HyperText Markup Language”. It was created by physicist Tim Berners-Lee at the CERN research institute to improve document sharing over the internet.
The first HTML specification released in 1993, envisioning a “World Wide Web” of documents linked through hypertext. Modern HTML5 launched in 2014 with new multimedia features. Today HTML remains the foundation for displaying content on websites.
Ruby vs HTML: Key Differences
| Ruby | HTML | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Programming language | Markup language |
| Purpose | Creates dynamic functionality | Structures & displays content |
| Usage | Web backends & applications | All website frontends |
| Key Tools | Ruby on Rails framework | CSS styling, JS interactivity |
Syntax and Structure
Ruby syntax reads similar to plain English, with a focus on simplicity and productivity. For example:
print "Hello World!"HTML uses "tags" as containers for webpage sections. Tags usually come in open/close pairs:
HTML has over 100 available tags to choose from.
Use Cases
Ruby shines for building:
- Web applications
- Backend frameworks (like Ruby on Rails)
- Desktop apps
- Command line tools
- Data processing scripts
HTML is used for:
- Website structure and content
- Displaying text, images, videos
- Building forms & UI elements
- Outlining metadata like titles
So Ruby focuses on behind-the-scenes programming tasks, while HTML handles visible content display.
Tools and Frameworks
For Ruby, the star of the show is Ruby on Rails. This web app framework lets you build databases and backends incredibly quickly with Ruby code.
There are fewer choices for HTML frameworks. But HTML integrates smoothly with CSS for styling and JavaScript for interactivity.
Learning Difficulty
Both languages are considered beginner-friendly. Ruby may take more time to master for complex applications. HTML is simpler syntax-wise, but you‘ll want knowledge of CSS/JavaScript too.
Strengths of Ruby
Natural Syntax – Easy to write and read for humans. Low ceremonial code compared to languages like Java or C++.
Productivity – It‘s fast to develop working prototypes and minimum viable products with Ruby/Rails. Ideal for startups.
Libraries – Tons of open source Ruby libraries exist for tasks from machine learning to testing. Saves tons of coding time.
Strengths of HTML
Universal – It displays correctly on any web-capable platform or device, from desktop to mobile. Future-proof.
Lightweight – Simple text-based files without heavy binaries. Easy to write, send and store HTML.
Links to Everything – Naturally integrates with companion languages like CSS, JavaScript, SVG, etc.
Downsides of Ruby
Performance Issues – For large high-traffic sites, Ruby can lag behind compiled languages like C on backend tasks.
Many Frameworks – You‘ll need to learn frameworks like Rails and gems on top of core language. Steep learning curve.
Less Common – Still used by <10% of websites globally. May have smaller talent pool/resources than rivals.
Downsides of HTML
Only Structure – HTML itself has zero built-in styling or customization options for UIs.
Passive Content – Requires JavaScript to create interactive website experiences.
Poor for Data Tasks – Not intended for number-crunching, data science, mathematical models, etc.
Conclusion: Should I Learn Ruby or HTML?
The answer depends on what area you want to specialize in long-term.
For front-end web development focusing on design, go with HTML/CSS first. Then add JavaScript.
For back-end development on server-side logic, databases, DevOps – start with Ruby and Ruby on Rails.
Of course, full-stack web developers will need both HTML for content markup and Ruby for business logic at some point.
Both Ruby and HTML are beginner-friendly. HTML may be simpler at first, but mastering Ruby will teach you highly transferable programming skills. Consider what projects excite you more, and the career path that aligns with your strengths and interests.
Hopefully this breakdown of Ruby vs HTML was useful! Here are more guides if you‘re ready to dive deeper:
