Is it time to try merb?

Question

With a quick approach to Merb 1.0, I would like to know what Merb / Rails users recommend?

Is it time to try Merb? What was the drawback for you when you switched to Merb from Rails?

Answer 1

Yes.

Disadvantages:

• Lack of documentation, although this is getting better (not really a problem for some, since the code is very well documented).
• Plugins Rails, Merb uses Gems, and not all were ported (the most used ones)
• Performing the direct port of a Rails application will not use some of the interesting features in Merb (plus the syntax is different in places)

But, Advantages:

• Faster and thread safe (added advantage when using DM or Sequel, as they are thread safe)
• Modular (you can choose what you need, along with your favorite ORM, JS Lib, Templating Lang)
• Less magic
• Well suited for projects with green fields or expanding your API.
• Merb has a stable API (1.0 coming out in a few weeks)

In general, if you are comfortable switching Rails to Merb, it is not difficult. I personally prefer Merb over Rails, as it accepts more Ruby conventions.

Answer 2

I was waiting for release 1.0 so that the API was frozen. This is a little hard to keep up with Merb changes (I can only speak for myself, and this was during the pre-merb-core / more days until the 0.9.x releases) and to find out the reasons for the hacking of the material.

If everything goes according to schedule, Merb 1.0 will be released soon in MerbCamp (October 11-12). Therefore, if I were completely new to Merb, I would wait until that.

Answer 3

Everyone, including many from the Merb Core team, is advised to wait 1.0. But if you're curious at all, grab the last gem and start playing. Just do not expect that it will be put into production and will be suspended on any production work until 1.0.

Answer 4

The biggest flaw is figuring out what makes Merb and Rails different. The biggest plus is that when I ask for help on IRC Merb or mailing lists, I get help, not an insult - unlike Rails.

Answer 5

Defensio's spam service has been with Merb for several months. Merb seems to work very well for them :-)

Disclaimer (even if I’m not trying to sell you anything): I worked at Defensio in the past.

Answer 6

I think it’s now safe to use Merb since they pretty much froze the API. I recently rebuilt my blog using Merb (and version 0.9.7 or so) and it works like a champion. I will need to make some adjustments to bring it to 1.0 API, but I do not expect much work. I say, follow him. Merb is good.

Answer 7

A month has passed, and now that Merb has reached 1.0 , yes, finally, it's time to try Merb and feel comfortable if you are a more conservative look :)