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At JetRuby Agency, we understand that while technology constantly evolves, certain frameworks, like Ruby on Rails, delivers lasting value. Ruby on Rails goes beyond being a framework — it’s a philosophy for building clean, efficient code.
However, as with all software, each version eventually reaches its End of Life (EOL), meaning it no longer receives official support, updates, or security patches, leaving applications vulnerable.
New Ruby on Rails maintenance policy
Recently Ruby on Rails has introduced a new maintenance policy that can be confusing for new and existing projects.
The new policies apply to releases starting with Rails 7.2. One of the most significant changes is that releases will now have a fixed maintenance period of 1-2 years.
- New features will be added every six months, but only in major and minor releases, not in patch releases. If there isn’t a new release within a year, support for the latest release will be extended until the next one.
- Bug fixes will be applied to minor releases for one year from their release date, with fixes backported to the latest stable version when necessary. For example, support for Rails 7.2.1 (released on December 1, 2024) will continue until December 1, 2025. Current bug fix support dates are 7.2.x until August 9, 2025, and 7.1.x until October 1, 2024.
- Security fixes are provided for up to two years after a minor release, after which the version is marked end-of-life (EOL). The current timelines for security support include 7.2.x until August 9, 2026, and 7.1.x until October 1, 2025. Security support is vital for ensuring project compliance, and developers should keep track of these updates to maintain app security.
You can find updated support details and end-of-life dates to keep your project compliant at endoflife.date/rails.
Keep track of Rails’ official EOL dates to ensure your application remains secure. Upgrading keeps your app protected and introduces new features and performance enhancements.
Why Upgrade the Ruby on Rails Version?
Security Updates within Rails Versions
Upgrading your project’s Rails version is vital for security. Unsupported versions leave your application vulnerable to known security flaws that can be exploited. Every new release of Rails contains security patches, making it vital to stay current.
In a world where cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, staying ahead of security threats is non-negotiable. By upgrading, you protect your application from current and emerging threats, which builds user trust by ensuring their data is secured with the latest security protocols.
Functional Improvements and Tech Debt Reduction
Beyond security, upgrading brings functional improvements that can significantly enhance application performance. Every Rails release optimizes backend operations, improving load times, database interactions, and responsiveness.
Upgrading also helps reduce tech debt. Outdated code creates bottlenecks and increases development costs, making upgrades essential. A Rails upgrade enables teams to refactor outdated functionalities, streamline processes, and focus on innovations without being held back by old code. This aligns your application with modern technologies, ensuring competitiveness and long-term scalability.
Potential Challenges After Updates
Lack of Backward Compatibility
Rails upgrades may introduce changes that are not compatible with older code. This can result in higher development costs as teams may need to rewrite or refactor parts of the application. It’s important to carefully evaluate the impact before proceeding for larger projects.
Inability to Roll Back Updates
Legacy projects can be difficult to roll back if issues arise during an update. Complex codebases, especially those developed over time by multiple teams, can make rolling back an update time-consuming and disruptive, leading to prolonged downtime.
Inconsistent Library Updates
When Rails releases a new version, some libraries update faster than others, creating compatibility issues. Some libraries (gems) may depend on an older version of Rails, making it difficult to update both the framework and its dependencies simultaneously.
Beyond Tools: Expertise That Delivers Results
Contact Our Legacy Modernization Expert
Book an introductory call with our subject matter expert on updating the legacy Ruby on Rails codebase, and share your pain points, so we can handle them jointly.
Book a Call
Sergey Goncharov
Head Of Business Unit
The success of any project isn’t just about the technology — it’s about the expertise of the team behind it. At JetRuby, we’ve spent years cultivating expert Ruby on Rails developers who follow best practices and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements.
Whether you’re building an MVP or a large-scale enterprise application, our team knows how to optimize Rails for security, scalability, and performance.
Here’s how our Tech Leads ensure the seamless and secure implementation of updates:
Ensuring Security
Our Tech Leads stay informed on the latest Rails versions and their End of Life (EOL) dates. They maintain timely updates to protect our applications from vulnerabilities, prioritizing upgrades when security patches are released to mitigate potential threats. To further enhance security, we utilize tools like Brakeman, a Ruby library that checks code for common vulnerabilities, and other services that notify us of the end-of-support dates for both the framework and the libraries we use. Tech Leads continuously monitor these dates to ensure compliance with security standards.
Planning and Strategy
Our Tech Leads collaborate with project stakeholders to strategically plan updates, integrating them smoothly into the development cycle. They assess the impact on current features, schedule any required downtime, and ensure minimal disruption to the workflow.
Technical Guidance
JetRuby’s Tech Leads provide expert technical direction throughout the update process, ensuring best practices are followed. They oversee testing on new Rails versions, address compatibility issues, and review dependencies to ensure optimal performance.
To maintain security throughout the update process, we use advanced scanning tools like Snyk and AWS image scanning to detect vulnerabilities in the codebase and its dependencies. Additionally, we incorporate tools like Brakeman, a Ruby library that identifies common code vulnerabilities, for thorough code reviews. Our Tech Leads also track end-of-support dates for the language, framework, and libraries in use, ensuring we stay proactive in addressing potential security or compatibility risks.
Code Quality and Performance
Regular updates offer performance improvements, and our Tech Leads ensure that new Rails features are leveraged to boost efficiency. They refine the codebase, remove deprecated functionalities, and uphold long-term code quality.
Team Collaboration and Training
Tech Leads cultivate a collaborative environment by informing the team about the benefits of upgrading and providing training on new Rails features. This ensures the team remains aligned and proficient with the latest tools and versions.
Through these efforts, JetRuby guarantees that our applications stay secure, efficient, and prepared for future growth.
Rails is the Answer, and JetRuby Makes It Work
With the release of Rails 7.2, the maintenance strategy for Rails applications is shifting significantly. For teams using older versions, it’s essential to understand the impact of these updates. Operating on an unsupported or soon-to-be End of Life (EOL) version exposes your project to serious risks, including security vulnerabilities and performance issues. Staying informed about the new maintenance policies will allow your team to plan effectively and prioritize upgrading to a supported version.
If you’re ready to upgrade your Rails application but unsure where to start, we’re here to help. Let us handle the upgrade and ensure your application remains secure and up-to-date!
