Rails and Node.js on the Raspberry Pi

Hey John:

I am by no means an expert, so take what I say with a fair bit of salt.

Node.js does not need separate webserver software to run. When you build a back-end in node you build out the server, such as setting up which port to listen to, routing, etc. A quick Google shows there are apparently ways to integrate it into apache and such, but it adds an unnecessary complication.

Rails only works on its own because it comes bundled with the WEBrick webserver software (this is what starts up when you "rails s" in your terminal). However, from what I have read you do not want to rely on WEBrick for a production ready app. So for rails you need an apache, lighttpd, etc. There are other tools/frameworks to make this easier. I believe Unicorn and Passenger are two such tools.

So to sum up, if you want to just mess around with either on your rPi, you don't need extra webserver tech. But if you wanted to push a rails app live, you would want a different webserver (or use heroku, etc )

I hope that helps, and please anyone correct me if I got any of that wrong!

-Andrew

Andrew Kiernan,

Thanks that does help out a little. I wonder which would be least system intensive. Running a web server, Node.js and Rails separately on the same Pi or tie then all together so they use the same web server maybe just different ports... ? My end goal is two fold. One learn Rails and Node as well are the other JavaScript listen in my first post. But also build various home use things like a web enabled shopping list (make a list go to the store buy the stuff and check it off the list from a phone), set bill reminders and appointments etc. I know there are already apps out there for this sort of thing but I'm a maker. It's good practice and its fun.

John

Hey John:

Those all sound like great ideas for projects! I'm actually working on some similar stuff. If you want to bounce ideas or maybe work together on them sometime, give me a shout!

If your goal is to get those up and running I believe you can run them both on the Pi. For your goals I imagine you would be fine with WEBrick running your rails project. Just set up your rails and node projects to listen to different ports and you should be good to go!

-Andrew

Over all I think I would like to make a whole home solution a collection of tiny 'apps' to do/monitor/report various things around the house. My wife an I currently use mint.com to track all of our finances but I think it could be made better maybe I'll go as far as to try to make my own in house version. Collaboration sound great man.

I wish tree house had a built in messenger like hangouts

Yeah a messenger would be a good feature. Maybe we can build one and sell it to them?! :P

I think I put my email in my profile, but its apkiernan@gmail.com if you want to get in touch!