Ruby on Rails, also known as Rails, is a powerful web development framework written in Ruby. It allows developers to build high-performing web applications quickly and efficiently. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. Whether you're using a Windows VPS UK or another hosting solution, Rails provides a great foundation for building dynamic web apps.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
- An Ubuntu 20.04 LTS server, which could be hosted on a UK Windows VPS, Windows Virtual Private Servers, or another Windows VPS Hosting UK solution.
- Root or sudo privileges on your server.
- Basic knowledge of the command line.
Step 1: Update Your System
Start by updating your system to ensure all packages are up to date. Run the following commands:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yStep 2: Install Ruby
Ruby on Rails is built on Ruby, so the first step is to install Ruby. You can install it using the package manager:
sudo apt install ruby-full -yOnce installed, verify the Ruby version by running:
ruby -vThis command should display the Ruby version, confirming that Ruby is installed.
Step 3: Install Node.js and Yarn
Rails requires a JavaScript runtime to work properly, so you will need to install Node.js. You can also install Yarn, a JavaScript package manager, which is often used with Rails projects:
sudo apt install nodejs
sudo apt install yarn -yStep 4: Install Rails
Next, install Rails using the RubyGems package manager. Run the following command to install Rails:
sudo gem install railsOnce the installation is complete, verify the Rails version by running:
rails -vThis will display the installed Rails version.
Step 5: Install a Database (Optional)
Ruby on Rails supports several databases, but the most common choice is PostgreSQL or MySQL. You can install PostgreSQL by running:
sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib libpq-dev -yAlternatively, for MySQL, run:
sudo apt install mysql-server mysql-client libmysqlclient-dev -yStep 6: Create a New Rails Project
Now that Ruby, Rails, and the database are installed, you can create a new Rails project. Navigate to the directory where you want to store your project and run:
rails new myapp -d postgresqlReplace myapp with your project name, and if you are using MySQL, replace -d postgresql with -d mysql.
Step 7: Set Up the Database
If you are using PostgreSQL, you will need to create a database user. Log in to PostgreSQL:
sudo -u postgres psqlCreate a new user with a password:
CREATE ROLE myuser WITH LOGIN PASSWORD 'mypassword';Then, grant the necessary permissions and exit:
ALTER ROLE myuser CREATEDB;
\qUpdate the database configuration file config/database.yml in your Rails project directory to match your database settings, then set up the database:
rails db:createStep 8: Start the Rails Server
To test that everything is working, start the Rails development server:
rails serverBy default, the server will run on port 3000. Open your web browser and navigate to http://your-server-ip:3000 to see the Rails welcome page.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you have successfully installed Ruby on Rails on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. Whether you’re developing applications on a Windows VPS UK, Windows VPS Italy, or any Windows Virtual Private Server Hosting environment, Rails provides a robust platform for building scalable web applications.
