Johannes Schickling - Prisma, Effect and the rise of Local First Development
Apr 21, 2024
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Johannes Schickling, founder of Prisma, discusses local-first development, the Effect library for async code in TypeScript, and building Overtone app. Topics include evolution of programming concepts, challenges for developers, and tools for document generation and TypeScript performance.
Local first approach prioritizes offline functionality and user experience over cloud dependence.
Unique challenges and opportunities in app architecture arise with local first development.
Transitioning to local first approach mandates exploration of new frameworks for improved data availability.
Deep dives
Building Apps with Local First Approach
Local first approach is highlighted as a pivotal shift in app development, aiming to prioritize user experience over cloud dependence. The concept involves creating apps that work fully offline, enabling collaboration and enhanced performance through connectivity. Implementing this approach, however, presents challenges, such as ensuring sync ability to various platforms, while striving for a unified user experience. Despite current obstacles, the shift towards local first app development is expected to simplify software operations and reduce accidental complexity in the long term.
Challenges and Solutions in Local First App Development
Developing local first apps introduces unique challenges and opportunities in app architecture. Solutions like RepliCache by Rosie Corp and Electric leveraging Postgres highlight the growing availability of tools for local first development. Additionally, CRDT implementations like AutoMerge are key foundations for effective data synchronization in this context. While the current landscape offers varied options, the journey towards local first app development is poised to streamline operations and enhance user experiences moving forward.
Adopting Local First Principles for App Development
Transitioning to a local first approach signifies a departure from traditional cloud-centered applications, emphasizing benefits like offline functionality and collaborative capabilities. Initiatives like overtone app showcase the feasibility of hosting app data locally and synchronizing with cloud services for enhanced performance. This shift mandates pioneers to explore new frameworks and implementations tailored for local first strategies, ensuring data availability and resiliency even in offline scenarios.
Rethinking React Development from a Local First Perspective
In exploring local first app development, a rethink of conventional React practices emerges, favoring state management outside React components. Proposing a state management system resembling Redux or MobX but aligned with local first principles indicates a practical evolution in app structuring. This innovative stance challenges existing norms in React development, advocating for a paradigm shift towards decoupling state from UI components for improved performance and scalability.
Move State Outside of React for Simplification and Better Performance
Consider moving state management outside of React to simplify your app and improve performance. By managing state externally, you reduce the number of re-renders and potential synchronization issues, leading to a faster and more efficient application. Using technologies like LiveStore can enable you to leverage reactive SQLite-based systems, enhancing state management and persistence, ultimately providing a more seamless user experience.
Control React Re-Renders and Consider Local First Development
Being mindful of re-renders in React can lead to a smoother development experience. By focusing on managing state efficiently and controlling when React components re-render, you can optimize performance and avoid unnecessary rendering cycles. Additionally, embracing the local-first approach in app development, like utilizing tools such as Nix and OpenCat, can simplify tool management and streamline the development process, potentially improving overall app performance and user experience.
This week we have Johannes Schickling, the founder and former CEO of Prisma. We talk about what he's been up to in the last few years and what he envisions for the future of software development. He is a contributor to the Effect library which is a new way to write asynchronous code in TypeScript. We also talk about the rise of local first development, how it's changing the way we build software, and how he's using it to build his new app Overtone.
