In this episode, Jean Boussier and I dive deep into performance optimisation for Ruby on Rails applications. From diagnosing common bottlenecks and mastering advanced caching techniques to leveraging YJIT, jemalloc, and server concurrency models, we explore practical strategies for scaling apps efficiently. We also discuss key metrics for monitoring production performance, cost-effective observability, and modern Rails patterns to embrace or avoid. Perfect for developers looking to take their Rails performance game to the next level!

Ruby and Rails Conference: wroclove.rb 11–13.04.2025 Wrocław, Poland

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Rails Guide: Tuning Performance for Deployment
Nate Berkopec: The Rails Performance Workshop

In this episode, I’m joined by Victor Shepelev, a member of the Ruby Core team and the author of Ruby’s new Data class. We dive into why Ruby needed the Data class, exploring how it fits into the language and enhances Ruby’s capabilities. Victor also shares insights on some other exciting Ruby features, including Numbered Block Parameters, the "it" keyword, and the growing role of functional programming in Ruby.

Beyond coding, Victor has a unique perspective as he’s officially enlisted in the Ukrainian Army. I had the chance to talk with him about what it’s like to balance life as a Rubyist and a soldier, and we discuss meaningful ways to support him and Ukraine.

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Ruby Data Class
Ruby Changes
Support Ukraine
Useless syntax sugar”: Numeric block parameters

In this episode, I sit down with a seasoned Rails engineer to dive into the technical intricacies and community-building work that power the Ruby ecosystem. Adrianna, who currently works as an engineer at Shopify shares insights into their role, their experience with the vibrant WNB.rb community, and what goes into organising meetups focused on all things Ruby and Rails.

We take a deep dive into Trilogy, Shopify’s custom implementation of the MySQL protocol. Adrianna unpacks the motivation behind developing Trilogy, the design choices that distinguish it from the traditional libmysqlclient library, and the trade-offs they faced. We also discuss the challenges of migrating from MySQL 2 to Trilogy, particularly around compatibility and maintaining a seamless CI/CD pipeline throughout the process.

Listeners will learn about the performance benefits Trilogy offers, how Shopify overcame the obstacles of database migration, and the future roadmap for Trilogy’s development in Rails. Finally, Adrianna reflects on the books that have been instrumental in shaping their career, offering valuable recommendations for developers at all levels.

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Migrating Shopify’s Core Rails Monolith to Trilogy - Rails World 2023
Trilogy
WNB.rb

The debugger you didn't know you needed. Ruby comes with an official debugger called Debug, which is now included in new Rails applications. Surprisingly, many Rails developers are still unaware of just how powerful this tool is. In this episode, Stan and I dive into its capabilities, exploring how it enhances the debugging process and makes troubleshooting more efficient.

Debug
The Startup of You

As you'd expect, any conversation with Aaron inevitably involves Ruby, Rails, compilers, and profiling. In this episode, we delve into all these topics. Enjoy!

In this interview with Rosa Gutierrez of 37signals, Rosa elaborates on her work, particularly her contributions to Solid Queue and its implementation alongside Active Job. She describes the motivations behind developing Solid Queue, addressing performance issues with existing systems like Resque, and transitioning some workloads to database-backed queues. Rosa also explains the technical details of Solid Queue's architecture, including supervisor and dispatcher roles, how it handles job prioritization, concurrency, and the challenges of ensuring performance in high-load environments. Essential advice is provided on when to use or avoid Solid Queue, depending on specific needs and existing setups.

Solid Queue
37signals

In this episode, Bobbilee, a pivotal figure in the Rails community, shares the inspiring journey behind Rails Camp West. Bobbilee talks about the origins and motivations for creating Rails Camp West, rooted in her experiences at big tech conferences and her desire to create a more intimate, laid-back environment for tech enthusiasts. She highlights the first camp in 2014 and how it has grown into a beloved annual event with a 75% return rate among attendees, showcasing the community’s strong bonds.

Bobbilee delves into the distinctions between Rails Camp West and the original Australian Rails Camp, emphasising the intentional smaller scale of her gatherings to foster deeper connections and more effective networking among participants. Both camps, though different in execution, share a spirit of collaboration and passion for Rails and Ruby.

Rails Camp West