# Just learn Rails

DevFeed: [Just learn Rails](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/just-learn-rails-21024.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://jakeyesbeck.com/2015/05/17/just-learn-rails/>)

Published: 2015-05-17T12:00:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Jake Yesbeck](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/jake-yesbeck.md>)

Topics: [Rails](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/rails.md>), [Ruby](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ruby.md>), [Web Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/web-development.md>), [Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/development.md>)

Tags: [rails](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/rails.md>), [ruby](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ruby.md>), [software-development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-development.md>), [web-development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/web-development.md>)

## AI overview

The article argues that learning Ruby on Rails alone is not enough to become an effective web developer. Rails can help someone start building a product quickly and may support entry into software development, but broader software development skills and multiple tools are needed to handle more complex problems and sustain a pleasant professional experience.

## Source excerpt

Obligatory YoC update: Still going strong, 21 days in a row! The only real city I have lived in is San Francisco. I assume that in other cities, like New York and Los Angeles, people bring up topics relevant to industries popular there. So I would imagine that in New York, a person could overhear something about: banking, stock trading, fashion, and expensive brunches. While in Los Angeles, you might wander by people having conversations pertaining to: making movies and working at the Cheesecake Factory. I have come to this conclusion because everyone in San Francisco talks about writing software. I personally love hearing conversations about software as often as I do (I did move to San Francisco for the purpose of writing it). One theme that seems to pop up often is how people can get into writing software for themselves. This is great, more people in the space means more ideas and more innovation. However, some people seem to be under the impression that breaking into software development (specifically web development) is as simple as "just learning Rails". I hope to explain why that mentality is a little naive. So what's the problem with just learning Ruby on Rails? You might be able to pick up software development through learning a framework and even get a job that will pay you real money. However, I sincerely doubt that it will be a pleasant experience for long. Frameworks are a single tool a person can use to correctly and efficiently do their job. I would wager that everyone is familiar with the type of work that a carpenter might do, but just for laughs, I'll give you an example. A carpenter could be contracted to build a wooden table and chairs for a client. He would shape the wood, sand, treat, stain and polish it until the dining set was made. I highly doubt he would be able to do all that with just a single tool. Can you imagine the quality of his product if he only used a chisel? This is a bit of a stretch but I feel it portrays the point I am trying t