Session Particulars
JRuby: Bringing Ruby to Java
JRuby: Bringing Ruby to the JVM Software (TS-3059)
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 4 - 5 p.m.
Moscone Center Gateway 104

JRuby is an implementation of the Ruby programming language targeted at the Virtual Machine for the Java. platform (JVM. platform). Ruby is a dynamically typed object-oriented language with support for blocks, continuations, and all the usual OO trimmings. JRuby aims to not only support the full Ruby platform but also provide an enhanced m:n threading model; a heap-allocated "stackless" call stack; AOT and JIT compilation of Ruby to bytecodes; and extensive, pervasive integration between Ruby and Java technology.

Ruby has become a very popular language recently, in part because of the popularity of the Rails web framework but also due to the careful, cautious evolution of the language and libraries. Because of this popularity, many powerful tools and frameworks are available that would fit well into existing Java technology-based applications. We plan for JRuby to run all the high-visibility Ruby applications in concert with existing Java technology-based applications and frameworks. Imagine Rails with JDBC. API ActiveRecord connectors or session or entity beans implemented in Ruby, middle-tier Ruby-based business rule engines, or building your application by using the elegant Rake build tool. JRuby will help both Ruby and the JVM language benefit from all these possibilities.

This JRuby session shows you how to apply Ruby on the JVM software to common use cases. It also shows off projects that utilize JRuby and demonstrates the most compelling capabilities offered when Ruby and Java technology work together. You need only an interest in alternative JVM machine languages to come away with an appreciation of JRuby's potential.