Ruby on Rails, often referred to as Rails, is a powerful web application framework built on the Ruby programming language. It follows the MVC architecture, which divides application logic into three interconnected components: Model, View, and Controller. This separation allows for cleaner code and greater maintainability. If you're just getting started, it's important to install Ruby and Rails on your local environment. You can follow the official Ruby installation guide for guidance, and then proceed with the Rails installation steps.

Once you have everything set up, the next step is to create your first Rails application. You can achieve this by opening your terminal and executing the command rails new myapp. This will generate a new directory called myapp filled with necessary folders and files. Next, navigate to your application folder using cd myapp, and start the server with rails server. Your app will be available at http://localhost:3000. To sum up, here are the initial steps:

1. Install Ruby
2. Install Rails
3. Create a new Rails application
4. Start the server

RESTful routes in Rails are a powerful way to create a structured and organized interface for your web applications. They follow the principles of Representational State Transfer (REST), which emphasizes stateless communication and the separation of client and server concerns. By defining your resources with standard HTTP methods—such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE—you can allow seamless interaction with your data. In a typical Ruby on Rails application, these routes are defined in the config/routes.rb file, where you can use the resources method for a straightforward mapping of CRUD actions to routes.

When exploring RESTful routes, it's essential to understand how they improve the maintainability and scalability of your application. Each route maps directly to controller actions, promoting a clear and intuitive structure. For instance, a simple blog application might include routes for articles as follows: GET /articles for listing all articles, POST /articles for creating a new article, GET /articles/:id for showing a specific article, PATCH/PUT /articles/:id for updating an article, and DELETE /articles/:id for removing an article. This organized approach not only enhances user efficiency but also streamlines development and debugging. For more detailed insights, you can refer to Rails Routing from the Outside In.

When developing with Ruby on Rails, many developers, both novice and experienced, often encounter similar pitfalls. One of the most common mistakes is neglecting the importance of Rails conventions. Rails is built on a set of conventions that can significantly streamline the development process. Ignoring these conventions can lead to unnecessary complexities and hinder maintainability in the long run.

Another crucial mistake is overlooking testing. Some developers skip writing tests in the initial stages, believing that they can add them later as an afterthought. However, this can result in a fragile codebase that's difficult to refactor or expand. Incorporating a robust testing strategy from the beginning ensures that your application remains stable and bug-free. Remember, as the saying goes, 'A program is only as good as its tests.' For a comprehensive guide to testing in Rails, check out Rails Testing Guide.