The rails part is the framework/platform where Ruby, the base programming language was standardized on in hopes of making it more standardized. Ruby has the following features and additions which makes it a favorable development tool to add to already existing applications. First, it uses familiar syntax so you do not get too confused, next is that it is open sourced so nobody has to pay anybody to use it, third is that it is object oriented meaning everything is considered to be an object thus easier to define and use. The next is that it uses a single interface saving you time of having to load a compiler and other program to do something with your code. Dynamic typing allows you to type worry free and the last most admirable feature is the Garbage collector which frees up the memory registers automatically without need for program instructions. This saves a lot of time and shortens the code considerably.