Updating Ruby gems seem like a simple task, but it could be a bit more complicated especially when you deal with apps that have been around for a while.

Keeping your Ruby gems up to date is essential for maintaining the security, performance, and compatibility of your application. Regular updates ensure you’re not only benefiting from the latest features but also protecting your app from vulnerabilities.

However, as with most things in development, we all know that it’s rarely that simple🤷‍♂️ You’ll likely encounter breaking changes, dependency conflicts, and other challenges that require a more thoughtful approach.

In this post, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to updating Ruby gems, including how to handle conflicts and assess your options when things go wrong. By understanding the overall process, I hope that you'll feel more confident and equipped to tackle these challenges when they arise 😊

Steps to update gems

Updating a gem isn’t just about bumping its version number—it’s a process that requires careful consideration to avoid introducing issues into your app. I tend to follow the structured approach below to make it manageable and easier to communicate changes to the team:

Step1: Read the Changelog:

The first step is to thoroughly read the changelog or release notes. These typically outline new features, improvements, bug fixes, and, most importantly, any breaking changes that could affect your application. (If the repository is well-maintained, it usually includes changelogs or at least release notes.) A few key things to look for in the changelog:

👀 Breaking Changes: These are the changes that can cause your code to break, so you definitely want to pay attention to them. They might involve things like renamed methods, altered method signatures, or the removal of features. If there are significant changes, you’ll probably need to adjust some parts of your code to make everything work with the new version.

⚠️ Deprecations: Sometimes gems mark certain features or methods as "deprecated." This means they’ll still work for now but will be removed in future updates. It might be tempting to ignore them since they aren't technically breaking your app yet, but it’s a good idea to tackle these early on. Fixing deprecations as they pop up saves you from headaches later and makes future updates smoother.

🚀 New Features and Enhancements: Updates often bring new features or performance improvements, and these can be real game-changers. These new additions are designed to make your life easier, so it’s definitely worth taking a moment to explore them.

(By the way, when upgrading to major versions, like updating Rails, you can also look for the “migration guides”. These guides are created specifically to help you navigate the big transition smoothly! )

Step2: Review Dependencies:

When updating a gem, it’s essential to take a look at its dependencies—other gems or libraries it relies on to function properly. Many gems have specific version requirements for their dependencies, and those dependencies might also need to be updated to ensure compatibility.

If the gem you're updating depends on an older version of another gem, you might run into conflicts, especially if that dependency also needs to be updated for your app to function correctly. For example, if you’re updating a gem that depends on an older version of Rails, you may need to update Rails as well or adjust some of your app’s code to match the new dependency requirements. We will talk a bit more about this later.

Step3: Change your codebase if necessary:

Once you’ve reviewed the changelog and dependencies, you can begin making any necessary changes to your codebase. (In some cases, refactoring the existing codebase beforehand can make the gem update process smoother.)

Step4: Test Thoroughly:

Run your test suite before and after the gem update. This ensures the update doesn’t introduce regressions or break functionality(Also, do manual testing when necessary.).

Step5: (optional) Use Dependabot or Similar Tools:

Tools like Dependabot automate dependency updates and alert you to conflicts or vulnerabilities.

What to Do When You Encounter a Dependency Conflict

Updating gems doesn’t always go smoothly. Dependency conflicts can often arise, especially in apps with complex or older codebases.

Understand the cause

Start by reading the error messages or Bundler output carefully. Determine which gem or dependency is causing the issue and why. For example, a conflict could arise because one gem depends on an older version of a library, while another gem requires the latest version.

Knowing the exact cause helps you decide whether you need to update the conflicting gem or whether you need to address other issues in your app’s dependencies.

So what action should I take?

When you exactly know why you have the issue, you can now evaluate your options😃 I listed six options below (but the list is not exhaustive):

==Option 1: Update the Conflicting Dependency==

If the conflict stems from an outdated dependency, the first and most straightforward step is to update the conflicting gem or its dependency to a version that resolves the issue.

This is your go-to option when the conflicting dependency is outdated and you can safely update it without causing issues for other dependencies. (but ensure you understand the changes of conflicting gem and run tests accordingly)

==Option 2: Downgrade the Gem==

If updating the conflicting dependency isn’t feasible (perhaps due to a major release with breaking changes), you may need to downgrade to a version of the gem that’s compatible with the rest of your dependencies.

This option is useful when an update introduces breaking changes that are difficult to address immediately or when the update causes issues that are not easily resolved. If the gem remains functional at a lower version, it can serve as a temporary solution.

However, downgrading a gem is not ideal, as it may result in losing important features, bug fixes, or security patches. Additionally, if the gem is no longer actively maintained, this could leave you vulnerable in the long term. If you choose this approach, it’s essential to have a plan to address the issue in the future. 🙂

==Option 3: Fork the Gem==

When the gem you rely on doesn’t offer a solution or has an issue that the maintainers haven’t addressed, you can fork the gem and apply a patch or modify it to fix the issue. Forking is a good option when the gem is particularly critical to your app and there are no alternatives.

However, it should only be used as a temporary fix, and you should aim to contribute your changes back to the original repository if possible. I personally found that maintaining a fork of a gem can be time-consuming, especially if the gem is updated frequently.

You’ll need to stay on top of changes to the upstream repository to ensure your fork doesn’t fall behind. Additionally, applying your own fixes could introduce unforeseen bugs.

==Option 4: Use Patch Gems or Monkey Patching==

If the conflict is isolated to a specific part of a gem, you can apply a patch to address the issue, or use monkey patching to modify certain methods or behaviors in the gem.

This approach is useful when you need a quick fix for a minor issue in the gem but should be used sparingly. Monkey patching can make your codebase a little harder to maintain and debug, especially if the gem undergoes updates that conflict with your patches. It can also lead to subtle bugs that are hard to trace.

==Option 5: Delay the Update==

If the gem update is not immediately critical, consider postponing it until a more stable version is released or a resolution to the conflict becomes available.

This approach is reasonable if the update is not urgent and resolving the conflict would take significant time or effort. However, delaying an update may not be ideal if the new version includes critical security patches. Assess the risks of delaying carefully, especially if the update addresses vulnerabilities or is part of a broader release that enhances your application’s stability or functionality.

==Option 6: Replace the Gem Entirely==

If a gem consistently causes issues or no longer meets your requirements, it is a time to consider replacing it with an alternative that offers similar functionality without the conflicts.This approach is ideal when persistent conflicts cannot be resolved through updates, downgrades, or patches, and when better-maintained or more compatible alternatives are available.

Keep in mind that replacing a gem can be time-intensive, particularly if it is deeply integrated into your codebase. It may require substantial code changes and adaptation.

Wrapping up

Updating Ruby gems is crucial for keeping your app secure and efficient, but it can sometimes be tricky. By following the steps in this guide, you'll be prepared to tackle dependency conflicts and breaking changes with confidence. No matter what option you choose—whether it’s updating, downgrading, or replacing a gem—just remember to test thoroughly and stay patient. You’ve got this! 💪