Technically Easy

Tag: React.js

  • Your First Single Page Application: A Guide

    Your First Single Page Application: A Guide

    You don’t have to waste time creating a multi-page app for your audience. When adopting a single page application architecture, you make it easier for your coders to look at and utilize so they can complete your projects on time.

    And we’re happy to help you get started. Here are some tips you can use to ensure that your team is well equipped and ready to produce their first app!

    So let’s begin!

    What are SPAs?

    While the concept of adopting a single page application architecture sounds good on paper, it can be hard to understand the benefits when building an app.

    At its core, the majority of single page applications are built via Ajax, which is a platform designed for processing and sending request from your server in the background, so you don’t have to reload the entire page.

    What makes them so good?

    As a result, this allows you to create functional apps that have a functionality and UI that’s similar to desktop sites but still fits on one page on your browser.

    One of the main advantages are SPAs is that it allows you to port your applications on the web without making changes to the established workflow or UI. A familiar and smooth desktop user experience is one of the largest strength of single page applications.

    Because SPAs are never reloaded fully, SPAS have more response times. The fact that your page doesn’t have to reload makes workflows that have multiple streams and are streamlined than the traditional web applications where users are forced to reload pages and switch tabs.

    Besides giving a better user experience, single page applications can provide better stability and better performance. When done correctly, Asynchronous requests, when executed correctly takes up less bandwidth and reduces the server load. The main logic behind a single page application is usually downloaded on the first request, which makes it possible to perform operations offline, which is a great solution for slow internet connection.

    What are the best tools for SPA development?

    Despite its desktop-like nature, SPAs are made using developer tools. For instance, the most popular tools are React and Angular.

    React is less universal, but has its own form of advantages. While developers will have to write more lines of code because there are less ready solutions, but you’ll usually get a high-performance app in the end.

    Angular is a popular framework that can be used to make any form of application. It’s popular and is the main language tool for most developers.

    No matter what language you choose, make sure that your IT team knows the coding language you’re trying to develop it as. Stick to either Angular or React throughout the program and then switch to another language once your team completes the first one.

    Conclusion

    Overall, you have to create a fully functional app by adopting a single page application architecture. Once you’ve completed your first one, make sure that your IT team has time to refine it. By doing this, you’ll ensure that your app is fully functioning and ready to be deployed to the public!

  • The Basics of Creating a Progressive Web App Using React.js

    The Basics of Creating a Progressive Web App Using React.js

    Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) are a hybrid between a standard webpage and a mobile app. They allow users to access the PWA from their computers, but they offer the sleek, fluid design of a mobile application.

    As PWAs become more popular, the desire to build them has increased, as well. If you’re wondering how to build a progressive web app using React.js, you’re not alone. The basic steps to building a PWA in React.js are as follows.

    Setting up

    Before you begin setting up your PWA, you’ll want to decide on a server in which to build. Once you know where you want the PWA to be, generate a basic React application using create-react-app.

    When you’re ready, switch to the server you want to build in and run the following.

    npm install -g create-react-app
    create-react-app pwa-experiment

    After that, you’ll need to install something called React Router.

    cd pwa-experiment
    npm install --save react-router@3.0.5

    Now you need to run the standard gist in your App.js. You can easily find the gist by searching “PWA in React.js gist” or something similar. After you run the standard gist, you’ll have created a basic layout with a few navigation options.

    If this is sounding foreign to you already, you might want to consider React 16 training before going further as it may help you fully understand the process and can better ensure success.

    Lighthouse

    Lighthouse is a free tool that Google has created for developers who are building PWAs. Google has a PWA checklist against which it tests your PWA (using Lighthouse) for quality and completeness.

    It’s a simple Chrome extension that you can get from the Google Developers suite. Just search Lighthouse and you’ll find it. Once it’s installed, click Generate Report and you’ll get a comprehensive report on how your PWA is doing.

    Service worker setup

    Next, you need to set up a service worker. It’s basically a small piece of JavaScript that exists between the network and your application. When put into action, it will receive any network requests and deliver cached files.

    Basically, it’s what enables your PWA to work offline. The process is a bit lengthy and complex, but you can find all the code you need online. If you’re not good with code or you’re just starting out, you might seek training instead.

    Run Lighthouse after each step to see how you’re doing.

    Progressive Enhancement

    Progressive enhancement doesn’t just mean to start making things better bit by bit, although you want to do that, as well. Progressive enhancement is a term that basically means your app will be able to function without having to load JavaScript.

    Once you’ve added progressive enhancement, check your app with Lighthouse again. If your score is higher, you’ve done it correctly.

    Adding home screen capabilities

    One of the main “selling points” of a PWA is the ability to save it to your home screen and run it just like an app. To do that, you have to add home screen capabilities to your code.

    Doing this requires you to install a manifest.json file to the public directory on your server. You can find the lengthy code for this online. You’ll also need an icon.png to use.

    Once you’ve done all that, you’ll add a couple more lines of code to the PWA and run Lighthouse once more. Your score should be significantly higher at this point.

    Deploy

    At this point, the only things you should be missing are caching and https, both of which can be taken care of during deployment. To deploy your PWA, you’ll probably want to use Firebase.

    You’ll want to run a new pwa-experiment in the Firebase console and run the following code in your project folder.

    npm install -g firebase-tools
    firebase login
    firebase init

    Once you complete the rest of the deployment process, you’ll have a PWA. Sort of. At the very least, Lighthouse should rank you at 100 percent. But many enhancements and design elements will be missing, even if you follow basic tutorials.

    The beauty of PWAs is that you can make them whatever you want them to be. Whether your PWA is educational or for entertainment purposes, being able to create it in such a way that it can operate with the unique functional capabilities of a PWA can only enhance the end project.

    If you’re still confused as to how to build a progressive web app using React.js, you can obtain training from a variety of services to get a better handle on the process and develop more dynamic and impactful PWAs for your audience.