Understanding the Rails Framework is essential for beginners looking to develop applications using Ruby. Rails, known for its 'convention over configuration' philosophy, streamlines the development process by providing a set of conventions that developers can easily follow. This framework allows developers to focus on the logic of their application rather than mundane configuration details. To get started with Rails, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with its core components, such as the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, routing, and database migrations.

One of the great features of Rails is its active community, which contributes a wealth of resources, gems, and plugins that can make development even faster. As a beginner, you should also pay attention to the Rails asset pipeline, which helps manage and serve JavaScript, CSS, and images in a clean and efficient manner. By leveraging the built-in features of Rails, new developers can rapidly build and deploy web applications. Start exploring the framework by creating a simple project, and you'll soon appreciate the power and simplicity that Rails has to offer.

Speeding up your Ruby on Rails development can significantly enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow. Here are top tips to help you optimize your coding process:

1. Utilize Rails generators: Save time by using built-in generators to create models, controllers, and views quickly.
2. Implement caching: Boost performance by caching views, fragments, or even entire pages.
3. Leverage eager loading: Use eager loading to prevent N+1 query issues and improve database performance.

Additionally, consider these strategies to further enhance your development speed:

1. Organize your code: Keep your project structure clean and well-organized for easier navigation and maintenance.
2. Use gems wisely: Take advantage of community gems to add functionalities without reinventing the wheel.
3. Test as you go: Writing tests alongside your code can help catch issues early and reduce debug time later.

When working with Rails, developers often encounter common pitfalls that can hinder productivity and app performance. One significant issue is the improper use of ActiveRecord. Many developers tend to load large datasets into memory without using pagination or appropriate scoping. To avoid this, implement find_each or use will_paginate for pagination, ensuring that the application remains responsive even with large datasets.

Another frequent error is overlooking security best practices. Rails provides built-in features to safeguard against common vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection or Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Neglecting these can lead to severe consequences. Always validate user input using strong parameters and escape output in your views. Following these recommendations will help you sidestep security issues and develop a robust Rails application.