What Ruby IDE do you prefer?

Question

I've been using Eclipse with RDT (not RadRails) a lot lately, and I'm quite happy with it, but I'm wondering if you guys know any decent alternatives. I know NetBeans also supports Ruby these days, but I'm not sure what it has to offer over Eclipse.

Please, list any features you think are brilliant or useful when suggesting an IDE, makes it easier to compare.

Also, I said Ruby, not Rails. While Rails support is a plus, I prefer things to be none Rails-centric. It should also be available on Linux and optionally Solaris.

score 76 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 25 '09 at 14:10

76

RubyMine from JetBrains. (Also available as a plugin to IntelliJ IDEA)

answered Jul 25 '09 at 14:10

rlovtang

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I expected to love RubyMine as I'm a big time Resharper user when in C# but the quality was way lower than I expected. Key features like the debugger, refactoring, intellisense were very buggy. So I'd definitely suggest trying the evaluation verson just to make sure you aren't let down. – Colin Jack Jul 12 '11 at 20:04
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I've been using RubyMine for 2+ years now for all my development and it beats everything else out there hands down. When I see how some of my friends and colleagues struggle with Textmate or VIM, just because they dislike IDE's, but all the same can't run the debugger effectively nor easily browse the sources of any gem, then I wonder what gives. I've learned a ton just by having single keystroke access to any method definition in any gem. Jetbrains has managed to stay on top of it for the entire time and no sign of slowing down. – Wolfram Arnold Dec 31 '11 at 08:03

score 27 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 29 '09 at 10:35

27

Have you tried Aptana? It's based on Eclipse and they have a sweet Rails plugin.

edited Dec 29 '09 at 10:35

John Topley

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answered Aug 19 '08 at 21:35

Bernie Perez

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Aptana seems to be the best IDE for Ruby, but I hate how it changes all my key mappings for the various editors (e.g., they remap -1 in the Java editor), and I hate how it writes databases in whatever directory I happen to be in when I start the IDE. Yuck. They're obviously not eating their own dog food. – Don Branson Jul 25 '09 at 14:14
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Aptana sucks. It tells me that common english words are spelt wrong and gives me pointless warnings. – irl_irl Mar 06 '10 at 16:26
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In the preferences you can disable the spell checker and warnings that don't apply to your language. – Bernie Perez Apr 01 '10 at 03:40
I tend to use Aptana exclusively for PHP/Ruby development, and standard Eclipse for JAVA, C, C++ etc. This prevents me from dealing with pointless warnings. – Zee Spencer Jun 18 '10 at 14:40
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Slow and frequently crashes or puts out weird error messages on Ubuntu. Pretty sure it's not just me -- I've given it many many a chance over the years on a OS X and a variety of linuxes. – Matt Zukowski Aug 26 '11 at 00:03

score 26 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 17 '09 at 01:24

26

Redcar has been getting some attention lately, as well. Still early in its life, but it shows promise.

answered Apr 17 '09 at 01:24

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Redcar has the advantage of being written in Ruby, allowing Ruby developers to extend their editor using the same language. It's early days so it's not feature rich, but it's a decent IDE getting better. – Cincinnati Joe Mar 17 '11 at 00:31
redcar is great. :) It kinda sucks having to boot it from CLI, and keep another console window open, but whatever. – Sanarothe Jul 15 '11 at 10:11
was pleasantly surprised to find how far along Redcar has come since the last time I tried it – Matt Zukowski Aug 26 '11 at 00:00

score 23 · Answer 4 · edited Feb 06 '11 at 15:58

23

On Mac OS X, TextMate is a godsend.

edited Feb 06 '11 at 15:58

Peter Mortensen

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answered Aug 19 '08 at 21:44

CodingWithoutComments

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Although TextMate is great text editor, people should educate themselves on the concept of IDE... – Hugo Sereno Ferreira Jun 09 '10 at 02:45
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if textmate had autocompletion for ruby, I would use it for sure. – pvinis Apr 12 '11 at 10:31

score 19 · Answer 5 · answered Aug 19 '08 at 21:42

19

The latest Netbeans IDE (6.1) has a pretty solid Ruby support.

You can check it out here.

answered Aug 19 '08 at 21:42

Pascal

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NetBeans has been coming along nicely and their Ruby and JRuby support is top-notch. Version 6.9.1 is the current as of this comment, with 6.10 on the way. Check out the live code coverage feature! – Mark Thomas Sep 03 '10 at 12:06
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Unfortunately, Ruby support is discontinued for NetBeans 7. http://netbeans.org/community/news/show/1507.html – rlovtang Jan 27 '11 at 22:12
I used NetBeans for Ruby development for about a year. It actually wasn't too bad, though it had and still has some rough edges. (E.g. the way to set up keyboard shortcuts is needlessly laborious and confusing.) Oracle has stopped work on the Ruby module, but you can still use it if you download NetBeans 6.9.1. RubyMine is a lot better though. – Ethan Feb 16 '11 at 20:40
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It's back! The JRuby guys have picked up support for NetBeans - see [Ruby on NetBeans lives!](http://blog.enebo.com/2011/02/ruby-on-netbeans-lives.html) for a good explanation. – Cincinnati Joe Mar 17 '11 at 00:34

score 13 · Answer 6 · answered Sep 03 '10 at 12:00

Once I found Geany (Ubuntu), I switched from TextMate (OSX) and never looked back. Geany is a lean, clean, speedy IDE that can be used either as a text editor or a light-weight IDE. It supports not only text editing features (syntax highlighting, code folding, auto-completion, auto-closing, symbol lists, code navigation, directory tree, multi-tabbed open files etc.) but also normal IDE features such as simple project management, compile-build-run within the main window. Unlike TextMate, it has a Terminal screen within its own window; you do not have to go back and force between your editor window and terminal window. Unlike TextMate, it supports international languages. Unlike TextMate, it supports multi-platforms, Unlike TextMate, it is open-source and free. Geany is now my favorite C/Ruby/XML development tool.

I am seriously considering this as my primary IDE for Rails development on linux. Can anyone get me up to speed on any intellisense and inline documentation (e.g. showing the relevant API doc as on hover tooltip) features it may support currently? — prusswan, Nov 28 '11 at 05:31

Ethan · Answer 7 · 2011-02-16T23:41:07.767

RubyMine is so awesome. Everything just works. I could go on and on. Code completion is fast, smooth, and accurate. Formatting is instantaneous. Project navigation is easy and without struggle. You can pop open any file with a few keystrokes. You don't even need to keep the project tree open, but it's there if you want. You can configure just about any aspect of it to behave exactly how you want.

NetBeans, Eclipse, and RubyMine all have more or less the same set of features. However, RubyMine is just so much more cleanly designed and easy to use. There's nothing awkward or clunky about it. There are all these nice little design touches that show how JetBrains really put thought into it instead of just amassing a big pile of features.

Incidentally RubyMine can do a lot of the things that Vim can do like select and edit a column of text or split the view into several editing panels with different files in them.

score 7 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 19 '08 at 22:32

7

NetBeans has some really solid Ruby support.

answered Aug 19 '08 at 22:32

conmulligan

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score 6 · Answer 9 · edited Feb 06 '11 at 16:04

6

I have used Komodo and it's pretty good. I use TextMate now.

edited Feb 06 '11 at 16:04

Peter Mortensen

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answered Aug 19 '08 at 21:32

wusher

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score 5 · Answer 10 · answered Aug 27 '08 at 14:17

For very simple Linux support if you like TextMate, try just gedit loaded with the right plugins. Easy to set up and really customizable, I use it for just about everything. There's also a lot of talk about emacs plugins if you're already using that normally.

Gedit: How to set up like TextMate

score 5 · Answer 11 · answered Oct 28 '10 at 07:27

5

In last 3 months, I have tried RadRails, Netbeans and RubyMine and finally settled on RubyMine not so much for features but for responsiveness and stability reasons.

In terms of features, RubyMine has slightly better code completion, debugging and code navigation, but only ruby beginners(like myself) need them most. Relying on code completion and code navigation is anti-ruby/rails, as ruby/rails names are supposed to be natural and each line of code needs to be in its convention determined location.

answered Oct 28 '10 at 07:27

so_mv

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When I tried RubyMine it couldn't go more than a few minutes without crashing and opening any file was sure to crash it. Not impressed. – Nov 07 '10 at 19:01
Both 2.0.2 and 3.0 beta(v 97.73) are good, at least on Windows 7 Professional with 4GB RAM. The one beta version before 97.73 use to hang after 10-15 minutes use. Which version did you try? – so_mv Nov 08 '10 at 04:02
I'm using RubyMine 3.1 on OS X with no problems. I've also used other versions on Linux with no stability issues. Could there be some problem with your development system? – Ethan Feb 16 '11 at 20:54

score 4 · Answer 12 · edited Feb 06 '11 at 16:05

4

NetBeans is good because you can use it on Windows and Mac OS X.

edited Feb 06 '11 at 16:05

Peter Mortensen

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answered Aug 22 '08 at 19:28

FortunateDuke

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**Oracle** declared the end of **Ruby** in _NetBeans_. Too lame – Anyul Rivas Jul 15 '11 at 21:25
@anyulled but i still find the ruby plugin for netbeans 7. I am not sure if it will work with 7.1 or 7.1.2 ? – Suhail Gupta Jun 07 '12 at 06:34

score 4 · Answer 13 · answered Mar 21 '11 at 14:12

Most IDEs present the project structure in a top down manner. This is great way to explore at a high level when joining an existing project. However, after working on the same project for more than a year, I realized that this approach can become counter-productive.

After Oracle declared the end of Ruby in NetBeans, I switched to Vim. By using a command line and an editor as the only tools, I was forced to mentally switch to a bottom-up perspective. To my amazement, I discovered that this made me more focused and productive. As a bonus, I got first class HAML and SASS syntax support.

I recommend Vim + Rails plugin for anyone that will work on a single project for an extended period of time.

score 4 · Answer 14 · answered Apr 26 '11 at 13:11

4

While TextMate is not an IDE in the classical sense, try the following in terminal to be 'wowed'

cd 'your-shiny-ruby-project'
mate .

It'll spawn up TextMate and the project drawer will list the contents of your project. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

answered Apr 26 '11 at 13:11

Michael De Silva

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score 3 · Answer 15 · answered Aug 19 '08 at 21:41

Aptana more or less is RadRails, or it's based on it. I've used it, and it's really good, but it does have some problems. For instance, it breaks the basic search dialog on my system (giving a raw java exception to the end user), and it clutters the interface with add like notices and upgrade bars and news feeds and...

But all in all it's pretty good, especially its editors (ERB, HTML/XML, ...) are top notch.

score 2 · Answer 16 · answered Aug 22 '08 at 11:54

2

I prefer TextMate on OS X. But Netbeans (multi-platform) is coming along quite nicely. Plus it comes with its IDE fully functional debugger.

answered Aug 22 '08 at 11:54

score 2 · Answer 17 · answered Aug 26 '08 at 16:36

2

Textmate on osx

answered Aug 26 '08 at 16:36

TonyLa

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score 2 · Answer 18 · answered Dec 20 '10 at 02:49

I started out using gEdit (ubuntu user), but even with all the plugins and modifications (class/file browser, terminal, darkmate scheme, etc, etc) it still always seemed to come up short. I've also tried like hell to get Aptana RadRails and Studio to work, but none of them ever really seemed to sync up with my workflow. I've even tried using Eclipse, but again, it just didn't work for me.

RubyMine also seemed like it would be great, but I found it to be way too buggy, even after the upgrade to 3.0.

So far, my favorite Ruby editor is Komodo Edit. It's got syntax highlighting and can detect errors and recognize your code based on user-specified ruby versions. Syntax highlighting schema are easily customizable and easy on the eyes. There are some very nice plugins for git, it can have split-screen editors (love that feature), and a great file-browser. I really wish Komodo had built-in terminal (multiple terminal) support, but everything else about it I've really come to love, and haven't found anything better yet.

score 2 · Answer 19 · answered Aug 22 '11 at 23:30

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emacs with ruby-mode, rdebug and a ruby interactive inferior shell.

answered Aug 22 '11 at 23:30

hasan

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score 2 · Answer 20 · edited Feb 06 '11 at 16:06

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E Text Editor is great (TextMate compatible sort-of-clone for Windows).

edited Feb 06 '11 at 16:06

Peter Mortensen

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answered Apr 17 '09 at 00:54

Orion Edwards

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his requirements include linux support. you can get e running in wine, but that is sort of meh. – Matt Briggs Nov 18 '09 at 13:40
I think e-texteditor now runs on Linux. – projecktzero Dec 22 '10 at 19:57

score 1 · Answer 21 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:09

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+1 for TextMate on Mac OS X.

See also answers to this question. I recommend trying NetBeans if you're on Windows.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:09

Community

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answered Aug 19 '08 at 22:11

James A. Rosen

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score 1 · Answer 22 · answered Aug 22 '08 at 11:59

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I'd recommend NetBeans 6.1 too. Very nice IDE and makes working with Ruby a pleasure.

answered Aug 22 '08 at 11:59

score 1 · Answer 23 · answered Aug 26 '08 at 16:31

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I started out with RadRails then moved to Aptana when they took it over, wasn't too bad. Got a macbook and have been using Textmate, never going back.

answered Aug 26 '08 at 16:31

John Duff

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score 1 · Answer 24 · answered Sep 03 '10 at 15:23

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Ruby in Steel: http://www.sapphiresteel.com/Products/Ruby-In-Steel/Ruby-In-Steel-Developer-Overview

A Visual Studio based Ruby IDE. Fast Debugger. Intellisense.

answered Sep 03 '10 at 15:23

Kevin Driedger

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score 1 · Answer 25 · answered Mar 22 '11 at 22:01

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On Mac OS there is also XCode. http://developer.apple.com/tools/developonrailsleopard.html

answered Mar 22 '11 at 22:01

David Victor

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any iOS developers out there who use xcode for ruby stuff and can provide some feedback on it's usefulness? – Nir Pengas Jan 16 '12 at 18:22

What Ruby IDE do you prefer?

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