Tony Lepage

I've spent the last four years at the University of Guelph studying as a Computer Science student. I've usually had to break free of computers to express my creativity as freely as I'd like. This time, I'm currently pouring all my spare time into the development of a web application that is being written in Ruby.

After four years of programming, I've finally learned of a framework and language to help build some of the most impressive websites around. Web 2.0 is being discovered and I have a feeling this type of technology is going to be front and center. I want in. Actually, that's what Ruby on Rails is all about--putting the developers, the programmers back into the language.

The framework is intuitive. It sets up your file structure in a logical manner. It relates databases and creates controllers to allow immediate database testing. Models are so easily defined and tied into your database and classes that your pet monkey could do it. Arrays are pluralized and instances are singular. It feels like PHP with Java's Object-Oriented-ness combined. From the first four control line inputs, you can set up a forum with posting and commenting ability. With equally as much programming (think insert the same line two files and issue two more commands) you can add sessions and member abilities. It's Ruby on Rails and I love it.

Between programming breaks, I'll post some examples up here and show you some truely flashy stuff. For now, however, I will stick to where the inspiration is stemming.