I'm starting an internship in May and already know what I'll be working on. To stay ahead, I want to learn about developing a framework. Does anyone have tips on how to go about it and any resources you recommend for building one? Thanks!
2 Answers
Before you dive in, it’s essential to know what kind of framework you want to create. If it’s a frontend framework, get really comfortable working directly with the DOM without relying on libraries. Identify tasks you repeatedly perform, then think about how you could streamline them with functions or abstractions.
Keep in mind, unless you’re already an expert in the area, building something for production can be risky. But as a learning project, it could be incredibly beneficial!
When I built my last few open-source frameworks (which have really taken off), here’s what I found helpful: First, you need to decide if your framework will be opinionated or non-opinionated; this choice is crucial. I also recommend implementing a plugin architecture so users can extend your framework easily. Documentation is key—make sure it’s thorough and includes plenty of examples.
Another tip is to build in public to gather feedback. This helps avoid creating a monolithic framework that does too much and loses focus. Integrating your framework with existing tools can also boost user adoption and support opportunities. And don't forget to build it for yourself first; if it doesn’t solve your problems, it probably won’t solve others'.
As for resources, look into "Commercial Open Source Software"; it will give you insights into how big frameworks gain traction. Good luck!
Great points! Would you say building a community around it is also important?
Thanks for the insight! I think I'm realizing that I'll need to clarify my tasks with my company, as they haven't been specific about what they want.