What is Rails gem versioning and how does it work?

What is Rails gem versioning and how does it work?

Rails gem versioning refers to the practice of managing different versions of gems (libraries) used in a Ruby on Rails application. It ensures compatibility and stability by allowing developers to specify which versions of gems their application depends on.

Why is it important to manage gem versions?

Managing gem versions is crucial to avoid breaking changes when updating gems. It helps maintain the application's functionality and security by ensuring that only compatible versions are used.

How can I specify gem versions in my Gemfile?

In your Gemfile, you can specify gem versions using operators like '=', '>=', '<', etc. For example, gem 'rails', '~> 6.1' allows updates to any version in the 6.1 series.

What happens if I don't manage gem versions?

If you don't manage gem versions, you risk introducing breaking changes or bugs when gems are updated, which can lead to application failures.