What are Ruby Version Managers (RVM)?

Introduction

Ruby Version Managers (RVM) are essential tools for Ruby developers as they simplify the installation, management, and seamless switching between different Ruby versions on a single machine. With the continuous development of the Ruby language, new versions are released to introduce improvements, bug fixes, and new features. However, manually installing and managing each Ruby version can be time-consuming and error-prone. RVM provides a powerful solution by allowing developers to easily manage multiple Ruby versions and gemsets, ensuring compatibility, flexibility, and a consistent development environment. By utilizing RVM, developers can efficiently handle the complexities of working with different Ruby versions and focus more on their projects' requirements and productivity.

How RVM Works?

RVM (Ruby Version Manager) works by creating an environment where multiple Ruby versions can be installed and managed simultaneously. It achieves this by utilizing separate gemsets and isolated environments for each Ruby version. A gemset acts as a container that houses a specific Ruby version along with its associated gems, which include libraries and packages. By organizing and managing these gemsets, RVM allows developers to easily switch between different Ruby versions while isolating their respective dependencies.

One of the key features of RVM is its support for project-specific Ruby versions and gemsets. This means that developers can define a specific Ruby version and gemset for each project, ensuring consistency and compatibility across various development environments. By specifying the appropriate Ruby version and gemset for a project, RVM automatically switches to the defined configuration when working on that particular project. This eliminates any potential conflicts or compatibility issues and ensures that the project runs smoothly regardless of the underlying Ruby version.

Thus, RVM simplifies the management of multiple Ruby versions by creating isolated environments and gemsets. It enables developers to switch between Ruby versions effortlessly and defines project-specific configurations to maintain consistency across different projects and development environments.

Why is There a Need for Ruby Version Managers?

Ruby version managers are essential for developers to ensure compatibility across different Ruby versions and avoid compatibility issues. They allow easy switching between versions, meeting project-specific requirements and managing gem dependencies effectively. These managers also enable experimentation with new versions without impacting existing projects, provide gemset isolation to prevent conflicts, and maintain consistent development environments by defining project-specific configurations. Thus, Ruby version managers simplify version management, enhance compatibility, and ensure flexibility and consistency in Ruby development.

Benefits of Using a Ruby Version Manager

Using a Ruby version manager offers several benefits for developers. Let's explore some of the key advantages:

Switching between Ruby versions : Developers can quickly transition between multiple Ruby versions with the help of a version management like RVM. This adaptability is helpful for discovering new features, working with older apps, and testing compatibility without requiring manual installation or configuration modifications.

Isolated gemsets : RVM's gemset feature enables the creation of separate environments for each project. This isolation ensures that gems and their dependencies remain independent and don't conflict with each other. It simplifies gem management and reduces the risk of conflicts.

Project-specific configuration : RVM enables developers to establish distinct Ruby versions and gemsets for individual projects, guaranteeing uniform development environments across various machines and team members. This reduces the chances of environment-related bugs and ensures that everyone is working with the same Ruby setup.

Easy installation and management : Ruby version managers simplify the installation and management of Ruby versions. RVM, for example, provides a user-friendly command-line interface that handles the process seamlessly.

Community support : Ruby version managers have vibrant communities that provide assistance, documentation, and resources. Developers have the opportunity to seek aid, discover solutions, and obtain guidance from knowledgeable users via online forums and documentation.

Integration with build tools : Ruby version managers integrate smoothly with popular build tools like Bundler. This integration ensures automatic switching of Ruby versions and gemsets during build commands or package installations.

Types of Ruby Version Managers

Several Ruby version managers are available, each with its unique features and capabilities. Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular Ruby version managers:

RVM (Ruby Version Manager) : RVM is a popular Ruby version manager known for its extensive functionality, allowing the installation and management of different Ruby versions, gemsets, and project-specific configurations. It is adaptable and resilient, compatible with Unix-based systems.

rbenv : rbenv emphasizes simplicity and lightweightness, offering an easy way to switch between Ruby versions and integrating well with build tools. It does not create gemsets but relies on Bundler for gem management, appealing to developers who prefer a minimalist solution.

chruby : chruby prioritizes fast and simple Ruby version switching, integrating seamlessly with tools like ruby-install and ruby-build for efficient Ruby installations. While it lacks gemset support, chruby is favored by developers who value speed and simplicity.

asdf : asdf is a versatile version manager supporting multiple languages, including Ruby. It provides a unified interface for managing different language run-times, making it suitable for developers working with multiple languages and seeking a consistent management experience.

Each version manager has its own set of strengths and advantages, catering to different use cases and developer preferences. To make an informed decision, it is advisable to explore the features and documentation of each tool, consider our specific needs, and evaluate how well each version manager aligns with our development workflow.

Installing RVM

RVM installation is a pretty simple process, however the stages may differ based on the operating system we are using. Let's have a look at the installation procedures for three major operating systems: macOS, Linux, and Windows.

Linux

Follow these instructions to install RVM on Linux:

• Launch the terminal application.
• Update the package manager's list of available packages:

• Install all of the RVM prerequisites. We should use the following command:

• Add the RVM GPG key. Carry out the following command:

• Install RVM using the installation script. Run the following command:
  This command fetches the RVM installation script and executes it to install the latest stable version of RVM.
• Load the current shell session with RVM. The following command should be used:
  This step ensures that RVM is correctly loaded into our shell environment and ready for usage.
• Verify that RVM is installed correctly by checking its version:

A successful installation should result in this command showing the RVM version that is currently installed.

Mac

The steps to install RVM on Mac are as follows:

• Install Homebrew
• Install GPG by executing the followind command:

• Add the RVM GPG key

• Install RVM by executing the command:

• To source RVM, add this line to the shell config file

• Restart Terminal and verify installation using the command:

Windows

To install RVM on Windows, we must make use of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). The steps listed below can be followed:

• Install WSL by following the official guidelines provided by Microsoft. Detailed instructions for installing WSL on Windows can be found at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10.
• Open the WSL terminal, then choose the necessary Linux distribution.
• After starting the WSL terminal, we can follow the same installation process of Linux as mentioned above.

These instructions may be used to install RVM on macOS, Linux, and Windows (with WSL).

Upgrading RVM

To upgrade Ruby Version Manager (RVM) to the latest version, simply execute the command:

This fetches the most recent stable release of RVM and updates it on your system. It is advisable to regularly update RVM to benefit from bug fixes, new features, improvements, enhanced stability, security, and access to the latest tools and enhancements.

Basic Use Cases of RVM

Now that we have RVM installed, let's explore some basic use cases to understand how to leverage its capabilities effectively:

• Installing Ruby versions : RVM provides a simple command to install specific Ruby versions. To install a desired Ruby version, we use the following command:

Here, ruby_version is a placeholder that should be replaced with the actual version that we would like to install. For example, if we want to install Ruby version 2.7.4, the command would be:

RVM will automatically handle the download and setup process, ensuring the chosen Ruby version is installed on our machine. This capability allows us to have multiple Ruby versions available for our projects, catering to different requirements and compatibility needs.

• Switching between Ruby versions : RVM enables seamless switching between installed Ruby versions. To switch to a specific version, we use the following command:

We can replace ruby_version with the desired Ruby version. After executing this command, our current shell session will use the specified Ruby version. This capability is particularly useful when working on projects that require different Ruby versions or when testing compatibility with different versions.

• Creating gemsets : RVM enables the creation of distinct gemsets for individual projects, ensuring the isolation of gems and their dependencies. A gemset acts as a container, preventing conflicts between gems from different projects. To create a gemset, execute the following command:

We can replace gemset_name with a descriptive name of our choice. This command establishes a new gemset within the current Ruby version.

• Using gemsets : Once we have created a gemset, we can switch to it using the following command:

We can replace gemset_name with the name of the gemset we want to use. After switching to the gemset, any gem installations or operations we perform will be isolated within that specific gemset. This guarantees that the gems and dependencies used in one project do not conflict with those used in another.

• Defining project-specific Ruby versions and gemsets : RVM allows us to define specific Ruby versions and gemsets for each project. This ensures that when we navigate to a project directory, RVM automatically switches to the appropriate Ruby version and gemset for that project.

To configure a project-specific Ruby version, create a file named .ruby-version in the project directory and specify the desired Ruby version inside the file. Similarly, to define a gemset for a project, create a file named .ruby-gemset in the project directory and specify the gemset name inside the file.

This way, RVM will automatically switch to the designated Ruby version and gemset whenever we work on that project, simplifying the management of project-specific environments.