Decide on front end library

[Gbaja]

Background

As part of rebuilding BridgeMap, we would need something to render the frontend. We want to decide on which approach to use.

Feel free to explore other options. Suggested list:

• [ ] React
• [ ] NextJS
• [ ] Gatsby

Some things to keep in mind

• Easy to change SEO meta tags
• Must be free
• Must have good docs/stack overflow reference
• Learning opportunity

Outcome

• [ ] List of pros and cons of each option
• [ ] Which one you think we should go with?

References

• Design specification doc

Deadline: 1st June 2021

[sophielevens]

React Best fit for: Lots of state management and DOM manipulation.

PROS

• Easy to Learn, Easy to Use
• Reusable Components
• personal interest as I would like to progress my understanding and ability
• backed by a strong community (ecosystem is great)
• we already have the knowledge so it will scale quicker
• good for volunteers as there are lots of jobs in React.

CONS

• Set up can take time
• issues with SEO
  • however, there are external plugins you can use

Vue Best fit for: prototypes, keeping the focus on the UI and integration demand

PROS

• Tiny size - if we think it’s mostly going to be a small app with not that much
• Easy to learn
• Reactive two-way data binding

CONS

• language barrier
  • lots of docs in Chinese?
• Reactivity complexity
  • having two way binding gets complex
• Lack of experienced developers https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/engineering/pros-and-cons-of-vue-js/

Gatsby PROS

• It is blazingly fast! Take my word, anyone who visits your website will go like Whoa!
• It is a modern site generator: You can build websites using it
• for React Yes, it works with React.
• Great documentation
• Good for SEO

CONS

• Increasing build times
  • As the content in your website increases, the build time also increases. This is not only disappointing during development, but also consumes time during deployment. So if you want to build a site that changes often, Gatsby is not recommended.
• Completely Dynamic website
  • If your website is completely a Dynamic one, then I would recommend you to go with similarly advantageous technology such as Next.js .Gatsby is more suitable for Blogs, portfolios, landing pages and other websites with lesser dynamic activities.
• difficult to develop in windows (?) (this was a comment on a thread, not sure how legit this is)

[Gbaja]

Decided on using nextJS