Open source enthusiasts Konnor Rogers and Cory LaViska discuss Web Awesome, a library of web components that works with any framework. They cover the benefits of web components, styling challenges, Kickstarter success, premium components like rich text editors, and the evolution of layout components in web development.
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Quick takeaways
Web Awesome is an open source library of web components based on standards.
Web Awesome aims to provide consistency and efficiency in maintaining interfaces across frameworks.
The project leverages browser APIs to streamline component functionalities and simplify development processes.
Deep dives
Evolution from Font Awesome to Web Awesome and Shoelace
Font Awesome and Web Awesome represent an evolution from a successful icon project to a modern web component library. Shoelace, the predecessor, originally developed in 2017 as a response to the limitations of existing CSS frameworks, transitioned into a web component library by 2020. The focus on bleeding edge technology and the adoption of web standards allowed shoelace to gain popularity and adapt to modern browser support.
Advantages of Web Components and Design System Unification
Web Awesome aims to provide a design system approach by offering a comprehensive set of web components that can be used across different frameworks and projects. The use of web components allows for easier integration, reducing the need to re-implement components for various platforms. By unifying the design system using web components, companies can achieve consistency and efficiency in maintaining and updating their interfaces.
Benefiting from Browser APIs and Future Improvements
The incorporation of browser APIs like the Close Watcher API showcases the project's commitment to leveraging native browser features to streamline component functionalities. Future enhancements like the Popover API and anchored regions demonstrate a move towards platform-native solutions for common interface elements. By reducing custom code and relying on standard browser implementations, Web Awesome aims to simplify development processes and improve consistency across projects.
Development of Rich Text Editors and Challenges with Licenses
Rich text editors have been a significant development, with available options having restrictive licenses and high costs, making accessibility a challenge for many users. The speaker discusses building a rich text editor for rails using TipTap, which is based on ProseMirror, a highly regarded text editor library. Other emerging libraries like Lexical from Facebook are mentioned, highlighting the complexity of integrating various libraries to create functional rich text editors.
Innovations in Component Development and State Management
The conversation delves into the intricate world of component development, including the challenges of state management. The speakers emphasize using tools like lit, focusing on properties and signals for effective state management. They explore the evolving landscape of frameworks, predicting a shift towards custom elements and enhancements in SSR capabilities, driven by community collaboration and experimentation.
Font Awesome is back with Web Awesome, an open source library of web components that will work with any framework because it’s based on standards. Today on Syntax we have Konnor Rogers and Cory LaViska here to talk all things Web Awesome.