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Technology Stack

Roadtrip Planner is built with modern web technologies, emphasizing performance, maintainability, and developer experience.

Core Technologies​

Backend Framework​

  • Rails: 8.0.2.1
    • Latest stable version with new features
    • Solid Cache, Solid Queue, and Solid Cable for improved performance
    • Modern asset pipeline with Propshaft
    • Enhanced security and performance improvements

Runtime & Language​

  • Ruby: 3.4.x
    • Latest stable Ruby version
    • Improved performance and memory usage
    • Enhanced syntax features and developer experience

Database​

  • PostgreSQL: 17
    • Latest stable version
    • Advanced JSON support
    • Full-text search capabilities
    • Robust ACID compliance

Frontend Stack​

View Layer​

  • Phlex: Component-based Ruby views
    • Type-safe view composition
    • Reusable UI components
    • Better testing capabilities than ERB
    • Ruby-native templating without separate template languages

Styling​

  • Tailwind CSS: v4
    • New @import syntax for cleaner configuration
    • Utility-first CSS framework
    • Responsive design utilities
    • Dark mode support infrastructure
    • Custom color palette and animations

JavaScript​

  • Importmaps: No build step required

    • Native ES modules
    • Simplified dependency management
    • Fast development iteration

  • Stimulus.js: Modest JavaScript framework

    • Progressive enhancement approach
    • HTML-centric development
    • Minimal JavaScript footprint
    • Excellent Rails integration

  • Turbo: Hotwire's SPA-like page accelerator

    • Fast navigation without full page reloads
    • Real-time features with Turbo Streams
    • Native mobile app feel

Authentication & Security​

Authentication​

  • Custom Implementation: Secure, lightweight solution
    • bcrypt: Password hashing (~> 3.1.7)
    • Session-based authentication
    • Secure password validation patterns
    • Username uniqueness and validation

Security Tools​

  • Brakeman: Static security analysis
    • Automated vulnerability scanning
    • Rails-specific security checks
    • CI/CD integration for continuous monitoring

Testing Framework​

Test Suite​

  • RSpec: ~> 8.0
    • Behavior-driven development (BDD)
    • Descriptive test syntax
    • Comprehensive matchers and helpers

Test Support​

  • FactoryBot: Test data generation

    • Clean, maintainable test fixtures
    • Flexible data creation patterns
    • Association handling

  • Faker: Realistic test data

    • Dynamic test data generation
    • Locale-aware data generation

System Testing​

  • Capybara: Integration testing

    • Browser automation for end-to-end tests
    • User interaction simulation

  • Selenium WebDriver: Browser automation

    • Cross-browser testing support
    • JavaScript execution in tests

Development Tools​

Containerization​

  • Docker: Consistent development environment

    • Ruby 3.4-slim base image
    • Non-root user for security
    • Optimized layer caching

  • Docker Compose: Multi-service orchestration

    • PostgreSQL service configuration
    • Volume management for development
    • Environment variable management

Code Quality​

  • RuboCop: Ruby style guide enforcement
    • Rails Omakase configuration
    • Consistent code formatting
    • Best practice enforcement

Asset Pipeline​

  • Propshaft: Modern Rails asset pipeline
    • Simplified asset management
    • HTTP/2 optimization
    • CDN-ready asset handling

Deployment & Infrastructure​

Deployment​

  • Kamal: Modern deployment solution

    • Docker-based deployments
    • Zero-downtime deployments
    • Multi-server support

  • Thruster: HTTP asset optimization

    • Asset caching and compression
    • X-Sendfile acceleration for Puma
    • Performance optimization

Background Processing​

  • Solid Queue: Database-backed job processing
    • Reliable job execution
    • No Redis dependency
    • Built-in Rails 8 support

Caching​

  • Solid Cache: Database-backed caching
    • Simplified cache management
    • No separate cache server required
    • Rails 8 native integration

Real-time Features​

  • Solid Cable: WebSocket connections
    • Database-backed Action Cable adapter
    • Simplified real-time features
    • No Redis dependency

Development Dependencies​

Package Management​

  • Bundler: Ruby gem management

    • Dependency resolution
    • Lock file for reproducible builds

  • npm: JavaScript package management

    • Tailwind CSS and plugins
    • Build tool dependencies

Node.js Tools​

  • Node.js: 20.x LTS

    • Stable, long-term support version
    • Required for Tailwind CSS compilation

  • Tailwind CSS Plugins:

    • @tailwindcss/forms: Form styling utilities
    • @tailwindcss/typography: Typography utilities

Version Requirements​

TechnologyVersionPurpose
Ruby3.4.xRuntime environment
Rails8.0.2.1Web framework
PostgreSQL17Database
Node.js20.x LTSFrontend tooling
DockerLatestContainerization
Docker Composev2+Orchestration

Architecture Benefits​

This technology stack provides:

  • Modern Development Experience: Latest tools and frameworks
  • Performance: Optimized for speed and efficiency
  • Maintainability: Clear patterns and conventions
  • Scalability: Built for growth and expansion
  • Security: Best practices and secure defaults
  • Developer Productivity: Fast feedback loops and debugging tools
  • Deployment Simplicity: Container-based deployment with modern tools

Migration Path​

The application is designed to be forward-compatible:

  • Rails 8+: Ready for future Rails versions
  • Ruby 3.4+: Compatible with upcoming Ruby releases
  • Docker: Container-first approach for any deployment target
  • Modern JavaScript: Uses standard ES modules for future compatibility