Ruby on Rails is an open-source web framework that favors convention over configuration for rapid development and sustainable productivity. It utilizes several key principles like convention over configuration, DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself), MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture, RESTful design, and a well-defined directory structure to make code more predictable, understandable, and maintainable. The document also briefly discusses that Rails is database agnostic and can be hosted on various platforms like Heroku.

1. Ruby On Rails
A Quick Walkthrough
Sawood Alam
salam@cs.odu.edu

2. Introduction
"Ruby on Rails is an open-source web
framework that's optimized for programmer
happiness and sustainable productivity. It lets
you write beautiful code by favoring convention
over configuration." -- RubyOnRails.Org

3. Convention Over Configuration
● Rapid development
● Self explanatory code
● Easier to understand
● Easier to refactor
● Easier to maintain
● Easier to learn
● Easier to collaborate
● Room for breaking convention, if needed

4. DRY
● Don't Repeat Yourself
● Heavy-lifting once
● Refactor and organize the code
● Changes in one place reflect everywhere

5. MVC
● Model-View-Controller
● Isolation of business logic, data and UI
● Keeps code DRY
● What goes where? - predictable

6. RESTful
● Map HTTP verbs to resource actions
● Verbs are finite, nouns are infinite
● GET, POST, PUT, DELETE...

7. Code Organisation
● Well defined directory structure
● Easier to deploy
● Easier to collaborate
● Predictive place for everything

8. Database Agnostic
● Changing database? change the config file
● SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle...
● Schemaless DB? not an issue!

9. Hosting
● Heroku
● Rails Machine
● Joyent
● Brightbox
● Engine Yard
● Slicehost
● Linode
● ...

10. Where To Go Next?
● Rails Guides
● Ruby on Rails Tutorial
● Try Ruby
● Rails for Zombies
● Railscasts
● Rails3 Screencast Series

11. Questions?
Thank you!
Sawood Alam
salam@cs.odu.edu