gistfile1.rb

# Merb controller

class Users < Application
  def foo
    "Foo'ed!" # result: string rendered
  end

  def bar
    render "Rabarbar!" # result: "Rabarbar!" text inside layout rendered
  end

  def baz # result: nil (nothing rendered - empty response body)
  end
end

# Rails controller

class UsersController < ApplicationController
  def foo
    render :text => "Foo'ed!" # result: given text rendered
  end
  
  def bar
    render "rabarbar" # result: "rabarbar" template rendered
  end

  def baz # result: "baz" template rendered
  end
end