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Ajax + JSP + Rails(?)

 
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Hi,

I'm working on a framework (God I never thought I'd say that but unfortunately its true) to create simulations online.

I want a simple system to help empower people create training simulations. Its been a pet side project of mine for over 2 years now - and I'm going to keep going on it until I get it done.

Right now I'm looking at using Ajax via the GWT, which I've recently started learning, and JSPs - which I've used for about 7 years now.

I hear of this new technology called Rails, which from my understanding makes a good backend. Would an Ajax-JSP-Rails solution provide a good crystal around an open source project could crystalize?

Not only is that a good tech combination, but importantly, would that be the kind of thing that many people would like to contribute on?

Really, I want to get this project kicked off, and let it have a life of its own, so I can go back to making big bucks doing something completely different. (Which I need now after my 2 year quest to get this going :-) )

All advice is welcome.

Best,
Skip
 
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What do you know about Rails other than "it's cool"? How (why?) would you plan to use heterogenous technologies on the backend without creating a complete mess?
 
Skip Cole
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Hi,

I really don't know much about Rails, other than the little I've read at the bookstore. It appears that one can quickly use it to create a backend, and I've heard that people like it. This is why I asked the question.

I'm use to writting server side code in java, but if something quick and useful comes along, I'm willing to consider adapting.

Ruby scares me, because I know PERL. PERL is great stuff, but in my opinion not very maintainable, and so anything that people say is similar to PERL does not seem a good way to go. (Sure maybe many of us geeks love it, but that doesn't mean its the best long-term solution.) But the little I've read about rails seems positive.


Best,
Skip
 
Bear Bibeault
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Originally posted by Skip Cole:
Ruby scares me ...

If you're not wanting to go diving into Ruby, best forget about Rails.
[ July 24, 2007: Message edited by: Bear Bibeault ]
 
Skip Cole
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Sounds reasonable.

I'm probably wrong, but something about an 'object oriented language' with 'syntax inspired by Perl' just sounds like a bad idea to me. It may currently be all the rage, but that doesn't mean it will be the shiznit forever. [Remember when EJBs were all the rage? I poo-poo'ed them as well ;-) ]

So I'm probably going to stick with a Ajax + JSP + Java + MySQL application for now.

If the app is useful, I guess it can always get translated into whatever we will be using 5 years from now.

Best,
Skip
[ July 24, 2007: Message edited by: Skip Cole ]
 
Bear Bibeault
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Originally posted by Skip Cole:
but something about an 'object oriented language' with 'syntax inspired by Perl'



I don't know much about Ruby at this point (though there is a book on my reading stack) but I share your concern regarding Perl which I term "the write-only language".

So I'm probably going to stick with a Ajax + JSP + Java + MySQL application for now.

Works for me! (except I mostly use PostgreSQL).
[ July 24, 2007: Message edited by: Bear Bibeault ]
 
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Ruby on Rails and JSP don't really make any sense together. I've seen huge productivity gains once a developer is comfortable with Rails, however there's not point switching if you've already proficient with Java and JSP. Stick with that and look to an Ajax library that plays nicely with Java like DWR, GWT or Nitobi for Java. There obviously lots of other libraries like Prototype, jQuery and Dojo you could look at too.
 
Skip Cole
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Thanks Andre. I will check those out.

Best,
Skip
 
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I agree with Andre..

You will more productive in the language you're most familiar with - as long as its a mature platform that meets current standards.

I will say that Ruby is a truly brilliant language however, and if you DID decide to learn it, you'll really like it.

... but at the 'end of the day' rails is really no different than many of the other platforms out there.
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