Hello Rails!

CHIP 4.8: Hello, Rails!

Introduction

In previous assignments, you created and deployed a simple Wordguesser game using the Ruby-based Sinatra framework, and in the subsequent assignment, you explored the differences between the Rails and Sinatra versions of that same app.

In this assignment you will create your first Rails app from scratch: a simple app called RottenPotatoes (inspired by the real web site RottenTomatoes) for cataloging movies. RottenPotatoes lets users interactively (via a Web browser) create database entries for new movies, view or modify the content of movie records (movie title, rating, description, and so on), and delete movie records. We provide some starter code you can copy and paste into specific files, but you will do most of the work. When the app is running, you’ll deploy it on the public cloud.

In later assignments, you’ll add features to the app, such as the ability to filter the list of movies, the ability to associate reviews with movies, and per-user login so each user can maintain their own ratings of movies.

Learning Goals

After this assignment, you should know how to:

Create a new Rails app from scratch, including making necessary adjustments to the Gemfile (specifying which libraries the app relies on) and immediately placing the app under version control so you can keep track of changes

Set up a database to store the Rails models, by writing and executing an initial migration describing the database’s schema

Create a basic set of controller actions and views to support the CRUD actions (create, read, update, delete) on a resource in a Rails app, and specify HTTP routes that map to the controller actions

Run and interact with the app in your development environment, including using the debugger to interactively track down bugs and inspect application state, such as the parameters supplied to a controller action

Deploy the app to the public cloud, in this case using Render.

Team Communication Requirement Update

CHIPS 4.8 & 5.3 (Optional Collaboration): You have the option to work with your assigned groups and complete the “Collaborative” sections together. However, you can also decide to work alone for these CHIPS and ignore the collaborative sections.
CHIP 10.5 (Mandatory Teamwork): This is the only CHIP where working with your team is strictly required. Team feedback will be a component of each individual’s grade for this assignment.

During your first team meeting Berkeley students: see the course website for additional requirements/deliverables that may apply to you.

Pair-Programming Option

Starting with CHIPS 4.8, you will be allowed to form pairs within your team while completing the CHIPS assignments. This pairing must follow the model of pair-programming detailed in this course (Driver and Observer roles, frequent role switching, etc.) and you will work on a shared branch rather than each member having an individual branch.

GitHub Branch Work Requirement

Each member or pair is required to complete the project and push their version of the code onto their branch of the GitHub repo for credit on CHIPS 4.8 and CHIPS 5.3 next week.