I have been asked to prototype a web application, which route to take?

Question

I'm given a ninja assignment of developing a simple but working web application, the dead line is extremely tight. Maybe within ten days.

I'm a Java programmer but I don't think Java is going to give the luxury of rapid development. Spring Roo could be an option but my Spring knowledge is somehow rusty and I didn't even touch Spring 3.

So I'm thinking about JRuby on Rails route. What do you think of it?
Should I expect any problems if we are going to deploy it on Tomcat or Oracle WebLogic?

Do you suggest any other option? I worked with Grails but that was last year.
I'm not sure if I have to give Play! framework a shot.

If you were me, what you are going to do? this is the first time I'm asked to prototype quickly and big things are on the line.

Answer 1

If the plan is to demonstrate bare minimum functionality then nothing is faster than a CGI script for prototyping a web application. There are no frameworks to learn and you can use your favorite scripting language with SQLite bindings or even flat files for persistence.

Answer 2

Don't use Ruby on Rails... you're going to spend 5 days struggling with figuring out the framework, and 1-2 more trying to get things smooth with JRuby. Find the simplest way to get it done, and just do it. Even if its just faking it with HTML5/javascript and localstorage.

But if I were you, and had to ask this question.. i'd probably just pay someone =P

Answer 3

For such a tight deadline, I would discourage attempting to learn a new language and a new framework. The Play framework is pretty easy to get into; you should give it a shot.

Answer 4

Use Ruby on Rails. I was productive with Rails after a few hours with Agile Web Development with Rails. Get AWDwR and the pickaxe book Programming with Ruby shipped overnight, and have fun. The only problem is that you won't want to write Java anymore.

Answer 5

Have a look at the Grails/Groovy combination.

Grails is a complete web application framework written in Groovy.

Groovy is a dynamic language which runs on the JVM, more importantly form your point of view all Java code is valid Groovy code, and, all Java classes are accessible from Groovy.

So its a very effective RAD environment, and, you can leverage your Java skills.

Answer 6

I don't know about JRuby, but if you are working with Rails allow a day or two for just learning the platform- it's worth taking the time out just to read Active Web Development With Rails because you will do everything else faster for having read it. Also if you're thinking you might do something with it soon, take some time out now to learn the basics of Ruby and how to get JRuby up and running properly.

When it comes to rapid development and prototyping I would certainly use Rails myself, it's a very useful platform.

Answer 7

You can try Grails its really nice framework (build on Spring/Hibernate stack and it uses JVM) which can help you with your prototyping task

Answer 8

If it's really a prototype and not going to evolve into production code, you can throw a prototyping tool like Balsamiq (http://balsamiq.com/) into the mix. It doesn't build the solution system but allows review of design and limited functionality via mockups, which can often flaws in the design before they live in your code.