Upgrade Rails 101: Roadmap to Smooth Upgrades

This year’s RailsConf opens a new window was a special conference for me. It was my third time attending and my first time speaking at the conference. I conducted a 2-hour workshop for anyone interested in upgrading their Rails application: Upgrade Rails 101: The Roadmap to Smooth Upgrades opens a new window

Here are a few lessons learned from running such an ambitious workshop.

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Is This Rails Upgrade Project a Good Fit?

Over the years we have seen a significant increase in the demand for Ruby on Rails opens a new window upgrades. That’s why a few years ago we decided to launch FastRuby.io opens a new window , our Ruby on Rails upgrade service.

When we receive an inquiry via FastRuby.io opens a new window , the first thing we like to do is schedule a call with the potential client to get more details about their app.

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Legacy Rails: Silently Judging You

I had to come up with a clever title because this article is about legacy Rails opens a new window applications and I know that you might fall asleep by the third paragraph. Boooooring… You probably want to read about that new JavaScript framework that came out (I love that this sentence will always be true, it doesn’t matter when you read this)

If you have been working with Rails for a few years, you have seen your fair share of shiny new applications, well-maintained and poorly-maintained legacy applications. This post is about Legacy Rails applications

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Three Useful Data Migration Patterns for Rails

At OmbuLabs opens a new window , we are big fans of Ruby on Rails opens a new window and design patterns opens a new window , especially convention over configuration opens a new window ! The beauty of Rails is that you can inherit a legacy project and easily find the different layers of code in different directories.

When it comes to database migrations the policy of Rails is very clear. It’s all about altering the database structure with gradual migration files: “Migrations are a convenient way to alter your database schema over time in a consistent and easy way.” (source opens a new window )

But, what about data migrations? What’s the best way to write, maintain, and run migrations that alter the data in your production database?

In this article I will talk about three different patterns for writing and maintaining your data migrations:

  1. Data migrations in db/migrate
  2. Data migrations with a set of Rake tasks
  3. Data migrations with data_migrate
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Notes from the Rails Performance Workshop

If you are interested in Ruby and Rails performance, you have definitely read articles by Nate Berkopec opens a new window from Speedshop opens a new window . At Ombu Labs we are big fans of his work, his Complete Guide to Rails Performance book opens a new window and Slack community.

When Nate announced a series of public workshops opens a new window I didn’t hesitate and signed up as quickly as possible. Here are my notes from my experience at the workshop on October 17th.

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