LaToya Gonzales

User Experience

22 Feb 2024


User Interface (UI) Frameworks

After being introduced to HTML and CSS, we have now moved on to implementing UI frameworks. I had never used an UI framework prior to this, so I could definitely see how it can be said that the experience could be seen as learning a new programming language. Although there can be challenges and difficulties with learning the ends and outs and rules of an UI framework, I believe that there are definitely software engineering benefits of UI frameworks.

Advantages

While researching I came across Sencha which lists some of the benefits of using UI frameworks to include:

  1. Security against vulnerabilities and bugs
  2. Faster development from use of ready components, templates, and elements
  3. Consistent design and user experience
  4. Cross-platform compatibility
  5. Reduced development costs
  6. Responsive design principles that automatically adjust and optimize layout and appearance
  7. Cross-browser friendly
  8. Support and community to include documentation, tutorials, and forums
  9. More efficient and and productive web development

Limitations

Along with the advantages, a few disadvantages or limitations include:

  1. Performance considerations in complex applications
  2. Performance overheads
  3. Potential compatability issues with other libraries or frameworks
  4. Versioning and maintenance updates could introduce incompatibilities
  5. Vendor lock-in which could make it difficult and expensive to switch frameworks later if needed

Bootstrap 5

My experience with my first UI framework,Bootstrap 5, has been … interesting. The attached image is the first product that I built using the framework. As a homework assignment, we were challenged to complete it in three different sections. I did not make the time limit at all. Following our most recent practice assignments, I have gotten better and more confident with using the framework. However, I still struggle with specific formatting.

Conclusion

Despite my challenges and frustrations, I believe that the benefits of implementing UI frameworks outweigh the difficulties. Especially once they are learned and you become proficient at them. I believe that it saves a lot of time and energy. Also, at the end of the day it’s all about the user experience and satisfaction.

Source: Sencha