Munckfish.net

Finally got around to reading Modular Architectures with Ruby from Ruby Code and Style.

The article shows how to write extensible modular architectures in Ruby. Essentially it describes what maybe more commonly recognised as a “plugin” architecture. Where new functionality can be added to an application almost transparently with minimum cost in configuration and code, simply by adding a “pluggable” module to an application’s library path. The author cites Eclipse, Javadoc and the Apache HTTPD webserver as three examples of well known modular systems.

It’s appears to be pitched at programmers new to Ruby but not necessarily new to programming, as well as developers who need to create extendable systems. Actually, because Ruby is so concise and readable it’s great as a general introduction to “plugins” in general, regardless of what language the reader knows. This also makes it ideal for students interested in software architecture and design patterns.

See the discussion board threads for some interesting thoughts on ways to make the example more “Ruby-like” and resource efficient.