Merb + Rails = Rails 3

This is incredible, but a fact - the developers of Ruby on Rails and Merb decided to combine the best that is in these projects. Yes, yes, Merb 2.0 = Rail 3.0.

What is the result?

• Modularity. Rails will contain a separate rails-core package with the most basic, for those who want to select everything manually. For the lazy, everything will still be out-of-the-box Rails.
• Agnostichnost. Now you can easily choose ORM (ActiveRecord, DataMapper or Sequel), tests (test / unit or RSpec), template language (Erb, HAML ...), JavaScript framework (jQuery fans are jubilant :)). Of course, it was possible to remake the Rails stack before, but now it is legal, without any hacks, and is taken into account in the architecture.
• Speed. Optimization from Merb (for example, compiling routers) will be transferred to Ruby on Rails.
• Public API. A public API will be announced, which they will try not to change. Plugines will break less often (unless of course you are using a public API).
• Rack. Rails will be fully ported to Rack.

When?

Developers believe they can make a beta version of RailsConf 2009 (early May). The reality will probably be less optimistic, but the work has already begun.

see also

• David Hansson (Rails) on merging ^(Eng)
• Yehuda Katz (Merb) about the union ^(Eng)