Site Performance Tips When Calling Librarie
After years of reviewing many projects, I've encountered several issues related to calling libraries or frameworks. In this article, I will detail each issue along with its solution to help you save on used space, avoid unnecessary files in your project, and prevent performance issues as your project grows.
1. The Need
The Issue:
Libraries or frameworks are called for tasks that can be accomplished with just a line or two of code, without needing to load an entire, large library with many files. For example, imagine a simple task where you need to change text after a few seconds, but you end up loading a large Content Slider Script that comes with many features you don’t need for this simple task.
The Solution:
Perform the task with just one or two lines of code, as long as you don’t need all the features provided by the framework or library.
2. Duplication
The Issue:
A library or framework is called multiple times because different team members each need a particular library. As the project grows, this issue becomes more prevalent.
The Solution:
Document everything being done and maintain regular coordination with the team members to review the libraries added to the project by other team members.
3. Same Functionality
The Issue:
Multiple libraries are called for the same task in the project. This often happens when each person is assigned a specific task and calls the library they are most familiar with, without checking if other libraries might already accomplish the same goal.
The Solution:
Familiarize yourself with the libraries already in use in the project and study them to determine if any are suitable for the task at hand before adding a new one.
4. Different Versions
The Issue:
A library or framework is called in different versions, meaning the same library is included twice, but with different versions. This causes an increase in page size, site slowdown, and conflicts between versions. For example, one team member might call a library in one version while another calls it in a different version, causing class mismatches and functionality issues.
The Solution:
Standardize on one version of the library for the entire team to use, ensuring that everyone is working with the same version.
5. Appropriateness
The Issue:
Libraries and tools in the project are unnecessarily large, while smaller, more efficient alternatives exist.
The Solution:
Study the market, test available libraries and tools, and read comparisons to find the most suitable options in terms of requirements and size to maintain site speed and performance.
6. Unused Libraries
The Issue:
A library or framework is called in the project but is not actually used anywhere.
The Solution:
Document your work, and if a feature or idea is removed from the project, make sure you remove all associated files as well.
7. Outdated Versions
The Issue:
Using an outdated version of a library can cause a variety of issues because everything around it is evolving and providing better options.
The Solution:
Update libraries and test to ensure everything works smoothly.
8. Uncompressed Files
The Issue:
Using an open development file for libraries you will never modify increases the page size because the file is large.
The Solution:
Use the minified version of the library, designed for use in production environments, to reduce file size and improve performance.
This article highlights several key issues related to libraries and frameworks in web development, providing practical solutions to optimize performance and avoid common pitfalls. By implementing these strategies, you’ll improve site speed, avoid unnecessary file bloat, and enhance overall performance as your project grows.