RubyGems and Bundler are the package management systems for Ruby applications used by developers worldwide. They’re also the backbone of a thriving

A New Chapter for RubyGems: How Ruby Central is Building a Sustainable Future

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2024-11-10 06:00:03

RubyGems and Bundler are the package management systems for Ruby applications used by developers worldwide. They’re also the backbone of a thriving world of Ruby software. For nearly two decades, these tools have simplified how developers develop, share, and install gem libraries, extending the simple Ruby programming language into a powerful and versatile ecosystem.

Software engineers working in Ruby, including Rails, use these tools every day when they initialize their development environment and deploy an application, making them vital to innovation, entrepreneurship, and several aspects of the world economy. However, maintaining this essential infrastructure has been a long and complex adventure that has led to forming a new governance model.

This article explores the historical journey of RubyGems and Bundler, the infrastructure that hosts them, the transition from Ruby Together to Ruby Central, and why a new governance model, spearheaded by the new Open Source Software committee, is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.