Ruby OOP Patterns

Ruby OOP patterns teach class design using attributes, accessors, and method visibility to organize object behavior. You define classes with instance variables, use attr_accessor for controlled access, apply private/protected visibility, and organize related functionality into modules for reuse across your codebase.

Module mixins let you inject shared behavior into multiple classes without inheritance. Ruby's include and extend keywords load module methods as instance or class methods, enabling composition-based design. This approach avoids deep inheritance hierarchies and aligns with SOLID principles.

Delegation forwards method calls from one object to another, reducing coupling. Ruby's SimpleDelegator or manual delegation via method_missing or explicit wrapper methods pass calls through. This pattern lets you compose behavior and wrap objects without tight dependencies.

Yes, Ruby modules serve as namespaces to group related classes and prevent naming conflicts. Nest classes inside modules using Module::ClassName syntax. This organization improves code clarity and lets you separate logical domains within large Rails or Ruby projects.

Ruby metaprogramming includes define_method, method_missing, and class_eval to generate methods and behavior at runtime. These techniques power Rails' attr_accessor and database mappings, enabling DRY code. Use sparingly—they reduce readability but solve repetition problems elegantly.

Yes, core OOP concepts—classes, modules, visibility, and SOLID principles—apply universally to Ruby and Rails. Rails builds on these patterns for models, concerns, and service objects. Understanding OOP fundamentals strengthens both pure Ruby scripts and Rails application architecture.