Group 37
Overview Requirements Development Prototype Testing Logs Meta
Overview:
Overview
Our Project
Version Control
Requirements:
Requirements
MoSCoW
Use Cases
Development:
Background Research
Technical Research
Architecture Research
Developing Solution
User Interface
Prototype:
Design Guide
Form Renderer
Dashboard
Visual Report
Testing
Logs:
Design Guide
Form Renderer
Dashboard
Visual Report
Meta:
Project Management
Bi-weekly Reports
Plans for Term 2
Updated: 22/11/2016

Technical Research: ReactJS

ReactJS is a JavaScript library which provides flexible and efficient UI creation. It is quite simple in use and does not require prior knowledge of JavaScript. Moreover, it has a website which lively shows all of the features of the library and the final outcome of each statement. This enables quicker access of the necessary elements while saving time on programming. [1] [2]


Key Features

  • Flexibility and easiness of use
  • Integration with HTML and CSS
  • Support of simultaneous use of alternative frameworks
  • Limits programming to the amount of specified functions


    • Usage

    Our client has recommended this library for its simplicity in learning and development. Design Guide website is using the library for UI elements. This library was in consideration along with other frameworks, such as Angular2, AngularJS, SemanticUI, Bootstrap, Redux and Middleman. Therefore, further comparisons and pros/cons are made in comparison to the other solutions. Additionally, we were discussing the best combinations of these libraries, for instance, ReactJS + Redux or Angular2 + Bootstrap. [3]


    Advantages

  • Is better for components
  • “Tighter” in functions, meaning less semantic errors during development
  • Less complex than the alternatives
  • You can render React on the server-side
  • It ensures readability and makes maintainability easier
    • [4]


    Disadvantages

  • Less popular than AngularJS
  • Not as good in terms of "end-to-end-app"
  • The learning curve can be steep


    • Alternatives

    Below are some popular alternative javascript libraries. Some of which will also be explored in our research.

  • Angular2
  • AngularJS
  • SemanticUI
  • Middleman


    • References

    [1] Facebook.github.io. (2016). Tutorial: Intro To React - React. [online] Available at: https://facebook.github.io/react/tutorial/tutorial.html#what-is- react [Accessed 21 Nov. 2016].
    [2] React-bootstrap.github.io. (2016). React-Bootstrap. [online] Available at: https://react-bootstrap.github.io/components.html [Accessed 21 Nov. 2016].
    [3] Ryver discussions.
    [4] [closed], A. (2016). Advantages and Disadvantages of using ReactJS. [online] Stackoverflow.com. Available at: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/ 28442239/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-reactjs [Accessed 22 Nov. 2016].