Evaluation of UI Component Libraries in React Development
Salonen, Sanna (2023)
2023
Tietotekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Information Technology
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2023-05-22
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202304274742
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202304274742
Tiivistelmä
UI component libraries in applications are used to streamline the front-end development process by providing pre-built components. The adoption of these libraries results in saved time and costs, giving the developer the chance to focus on implementing more features and improving the application's overall quality. The thesis aimed to discover if there are criteria that can be used to evaluate these libraries and find the most suitable option for each project.
The evaluation criteria were narrowed down to 5 categories. Components and resources addressed the selection and versatility of the features the library provided. Documentation studied the factors which make up high-quality documentation. Compatibility addressed library's usability in various use contexts, such as with different platforms, devices and users. Restrictions addressed general and technical limitations the library may have. Reliability addressed how active development and community can increase library's long-term reliability.
The thesis applied the criteria to 3 UI component libraries: React Bootstrap, MUI and Ant Design. What it discovered was that the criteria effectively differentiated the studied libraries from each other and defined them with clear pros and cons. React Bootstrap proved to be a decent small project alternative, MUI was a highly versatile option for mid-range projects and Ant Design was most suitable for advanced enterprise applications. While personal preferences and familiarity most often factor into the selected library, there are other important factors that should be considered before making the choice for a project.
The evaluation criteria were narrowed down to 5 categories. Components and resources addressed the selection and versatility of the features the library provided. Documentation studied the factors which make up high-quality documentation. Compatibility addressed library's usability in various use contexts, such as with different platforms, devices and users. Restrictions addressed general and technical limitations the library may have. Reliability addressed how active development and community can increase library's long-term reliability.
The thesis applied the criteria to 3 UI component libraries: React Bootstrap, MUI and Ant Design. What it discovered was that the criteria effectively differentiated the studied libraries from each other and defined them with clear pros and cons. React Bootstrap proved to be a decent small project alternative, MUI was a highly versatile option for mid-range projects and Ant Design was most suitable for advanced enterprise applications. While personal preferences and familiarity most often factor into the selected library, there are other important factors that should be considered before making the choice for a project.