Discover the quirky journey of building web applications for trading. From adopting a Chrome-only approach to simplifying code through WebSockets, Matt and Ben share their insights. They dive into the challenges of balancing user experience with programming correctness and transform testing with headless browsers. Tune in for experiments comparing custom protocols to JSON, and hear strategies for optimizing performance in real-time trading apps. It's a blend of nostalgia and technical revelations in the world of web development!
49:59
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Quick takeaways
The podcast highlights the importance of using Chrome exclusively for web apps to prioritize speed and simplicity in trading environments.
By utilizing WebSockets for real-time communication, developers can mitigate latency issues and enhance responsiveness in high-frequency trading applications.
A novel approach to treating the DOM as a testable object allows for more effective unit testing, separating data behavior from UI presentation.
Deep dives
The Joe Approach to Web Development
The podcast delves into a unique approach to web development inspired by a figure referred to as Joe, emphasizing the importance of a simplified methodology. Joe advocates for using only Chrome for web applications, ignoring other browsers, and leveraging native web standard APIs. This strategy allows developers to build applications without heavy frameworks, focusing instead on straightforward HTML and JavaScript interactions. The result is an efficient, streamlined development process that prioritizes speed and ease of use, significant in fast-paced trading environments.
Performance Considerations in Web Applications
Performance is critical in web applications, especially for trading systems where milliseconds can impact decision-making. The podcast discusses how avoiding complex DOM manipulations and effectively using fixed positioning can enhance responsiveness. It emphasizes that using WebSockets can facilitate real-time communication, thereby reducing latency issues associated with traditional HTTP requests. Through example scenarios, they illustrate how optimized data communication leads to rapid updates for users, which is essential in high-stakes trading contexts.
Testing Web Applications Effectively
The discussion highlights an innovative approach to testing web applications, focusing on the DOM's role as a testable object. By treating the DOM as a data structure, developers can create functions that manipulate and return HTML elements based on input, allowing them to write comprehensive tests. This process not only simplifies unit testing but also fosters a clear separation between data behavior and UI presentation. Ultimately, the podcast suggests that this method of testing leads to more reliable and maintainable web applications.
Frameworks vs. Pure Web Standards
The podcast addresses the ongoing debate about the necessity and benefits of using frameworks in web development versus sticking to pure web standards. The speakers argue that while frameworks can offer convenience, they often introduce complexity and potential pitfalls. Learning and understanding web standards can empower developers to make informed decisions about whether to adopt frameworks or not. The consensus is to leverage frameworks cautiously, only when they offer substantial benefits—encouraging a fundamental understanding of the underlying technologies.
Evolution of Tools and Techniques
The evolution of web development tools and techniques over the past decade is discussed, underscoring the adaptive nature of the industry. With the emergence of headless browsers and tools like Karma, testing and developing web applications have become more streamlined and effective. The speakers share their experiences with transitioning from manual testing to automated processes, highlighting the efficiency gained through modern technologies. This evolution reflects a broader trend towards embracing innovative solutions to enhance the development workflow and maintain high standards of performance.
Matt and Ben discuss the idiosyncratic way that they learned to build web applications for trading. If latency and correctness were paramount, and you could tell all your users which browser they had to use, what would you do? Here's what we did.
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