As a developer in an environment where business and technology are rapidly racing each other, a faster project initiation becomes crucial to keep up with the pace. One practical approach to improve project workflow is through the use of project scaffolding or templates. In this article, we’ll delve into the benefits of adopting Project Scaffolding in your development processes, how to initiate, precautions, and common mistakes
What is Project Scaffolding?
Project scaffolding is a pre-configured project structure that simplifies development by providing initial files, directories, and configurations. Like building scaffolding on a real-life construction site, it provides a simple and fast structure that will help to build a real and more complex structure. However different projects usually require different structures. How do we identify those before even getting our hands on the requirements?
How Project Scaffoldings are Initiated?
Oftentimes in the project’s development phase, the core framework is usually decided. Although language or framework specificity isn’t essential for project scaffoldings, customized scaffolds can enhance dependency management and maintainability.
But how do we make differences in frameworks appear more common? These are keys to consider to start tapping into this approach:
Simplicity Concept for Scaffolding Design
Define the simplest architectural structures for all the technology stacks. The testable lifecycle can be evaluated by the smallest, simplest, and most maintainable structure. Code and conventions are also important to be defined beforehand. Following the best practice of conventions not only helps to progress faster but also lessens the time to scale the modules when needed.
Modular structure is also encouraged. In most of the projects, new features are usually added one after another, and integrating external libraries or modules is necessary. Having a defined hierarchical structure of where to put components, models, and services enables more flexibility in reusing them in other places. This modular design not only supports scalability but also simplifies future updates without disrupting the overall project. Any updates can be made to specific modules without requiring changes throughout the whole system, helping to keep technical debt low.
Speaking of modular enhancement, incrementing projects usually face repetitive work when managing more components. Manual process usually is the big cause of mistakes — human errors are expected yet hardly predictable. Tools that help to ease up the hassle are considered worth the effort. For example, code formatters like Linter, document generators like Docusaurus, or centralized UI component guides like Storybook.
Additionally, quality control is the key to software development. The testing frameworks can also be prepared, for example, in PALO IT Thailand we implement BDD (Behaviour Driven Development) which involves testing the application based on user’s behaviors. An end-to-end automation framework setup for such practice is crucial to be pre-configured.
With these principles, providing documentation and ongoing feedback ensures that the scaffoldings remain valuable and adaptable to various project needs.
Example of Our Scaffolding
At PALO IT Thailand, our team has been dedicated to creating a range of robust scaffolds for both web and mobile applications. We are excited to introduce and discuss our React Native scaffold specifically designed for mobile platforms. This scaffold streamlines the development process, allowing for faster and more efficient creation of high-quality mobile applications.
Dependencies
To effectively research and compare alternative libraries for each area, we have established a thorough process. Each library has its own trade-offs, so our selection process must consider various aspects, including performance, compatibility, community support, and future scalability. Additionally, we prioritize making the transition to the chosen library as seamless as possible, ensuring that the implementation is flexible and adaptable to future changes.
Default Screens
In our React Native scaffold, we have designed a variety of default pages and common use cases to showcase best practices and standards for utilizing this framework effectively. These include examples like authentication screens, listing screens, navigation setups, API request handling, loading indicators, error boundaries, and more.
By incorporating these elements, the scaffold serves as a versatile foundation that can be adapted to numerous applications, ensuring developers can implement consistent and efficient solutions across different projects.
Precautions and Common Mistakes
While the benefits of project scaffolding are clear, there are some precautions to consider.
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Avoid creating templates that are too rigid, as this can limit flexibility.
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Ensure comprehensive documentation accompanies each template to guide developers in using them effectively.
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Regularly review and update your templates to keep them aligned with current best practices within the industry.
- Neglecting Security Practices, failing to implement basic security measures such as input validation and authentication.
Conclusion
By adopting project scaffolding, companies can streamline their development processes, enhance project quality, and reduce time-to-market. Following the guidelines provided and being mindful of common pitfalls can lead to significant improvements in your workflow. Utilizing project templates can set your organization up for success in today’s competitive tech environment. Consider implementing these strategies to improve your development efficiency and deliver better products more quickly.
