Ruby is a dynamic, object-oriented programming language known for its simplicity and focus on developer productivity. Its main claim to fame in web development is the web application framework, Ruby on Rails (RoR), which transformed the way web applications are built by promoting convention over configuration.

Key Features & Contributions to Web Development

• Language Syntax: Ruby’s syntax has an appeasing natural language style. This, paired with its dynamic typing, powerful metaprogramming features, and absence of semicolons, results in clean and expressive code.

• Gems: Ruby’s package manager, RubyGems, simplifies library management, making it easy to integrate numerous third-party extensions.

• Database Integration: ActiveRecord, a popular object-relational mapping system, aids in managing database records via a natural, object-oriented interface.

• MVC Pattern: Rails, in particular, is famed for its adherence to the Model-View-Controller pattern, offering a clear separation of concerns.

• Code Rearrangement: The auto-loading mechanism allows for seamless navigation between related files and classes while coding.

• Ecosystem Consistency: RoR brought about a many-to-many relationship with databases, streamlining and simplifying existing development patterns.

• Strong Community: The language’s supportive community and its commitment to clean, readable code are evident in guiding principles like “Mediterranean” quality and “Matz’s kindness.”

• Test-Driven Development: RoR promotes best-testing practices from the project’s inception, ensuring reliability.

• Giant Corporations’ Indulgence: Prominent organizations such as GitHub, Shopify, and Airbnb have successfully tapped into the potential of Ruby on Rails.

Code Example: Ruby on Rails (RoR) Routing

Here is the Ruby code:

# config/routes.rb
Rails.application.routes.draw do
  root 'welcome#index'
  get 'products/:id', to: 'products#show'
  resources :articles
end

This file configures routes for different URLs, specifying which controllers and actions to invoke. For instance, upon receiving a GET request for products/5, RoR would route it to the show action in the ProductsController with the ID parameter set to 5. Such straightforward setups contribute to RoR’s appeal.