DEV Community: Developer Noon

What Is the Difference Between Deep Links and App Links?

Developer Noon — Tue, 10 May 2022 13:13:25 +0000

An App Link is a deep link based on your website URL that has been validated to belong to your website, whereas a deep link is an intent filter system that allows users to immediately access a certain activity in an Android app. When a user clicks on that URL, your app will launch.

Here is a more detailed explanation of each of these topics, with real-life examples:

What is Deep Links?

Deep links are a navigational concept that allows users to move between the web and apps. They are essentially URLs that route visitors to specific information in applications.

What is App Links?

App Links, commonly known as Android App Links, enable an app to declare itself the default handler of an application domain or URL. Unfortunately, it is only compatible with Android versions 6.0 (API level 23) and higher.

Deep Links Used for App Content

When a user clicks a URL, the Android system tries each of the steps below in succession until the request is successful:

If one is specified, open the user's favorite app that can handle the URI.
Open the only program that can deal with the URI.
Allow the user to choose an app from a drop-down menu.

I hope you can now understand the difference between a deep link and an app link.

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The Complete Guide to HTML Frameworks and How They Can Help You Build Websites Faster

Developer Noon — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:56:07 +0000

HTML is a Markup language to create basic web applications. It's a simple language with CSS and JavaScript can be used to create complex web applications. These web frameworks called HTML frameworks, are inspired from the basic HTML.

Frameworks are designed to provide a common structure so that developers don't have to start from scratch and can reuse the code already written.

In this article, we will learn what is a HTML Framework, What are the advantages of using a HTML framework, and What are the best HTML frameworks.

Introduction: What is an HTML Framework?

The HTML framework is a set of defined concepts, procedures, and criteria for dealing with a certain type of problem that may be used as a guide to help us approach and solve new challenges of the same sort.

A framework in web design is a collection of files and directories containing standardized code, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Documents, that may be used to facilitate the construction of websites and provide as a starting point for developing a site.

What are the Best HTML Frameworks?

There are many types of frameworks that are designed in different ways for different types of functions and uses. Here are 4 top HTML framework for you to use in 2022:

1. Skeleton

Skeleton is a responsive CSS boilerplate for HTML5 websites and apps that is simple and clean. It has exactly what you need and nothing more.

A responsive layout grid, standard media queries for device-specific CSS style properties, a CSS class for responsive image elements that scale with the layout grid, a PSD template for mocking up your web designs.

An HTML5 shiv for old web browsers are just a few of the notable features. If you want to get started with responsive design quickly, this open source project is a good place to start.

2. Foundation

Another popular responsive front-end framework is Foundation. With this cutting-edge HTML5 framework, you can approach web design from a mobile-first perspective or from large displays to small screens.

It includes features such as rapid prototyping, a responsive grid system, and much more. The main foundation of Foundation Framework is the ability to quickly design responsive websites.

3. HTML Kickstart

HTML5 Kickstart, one of the newest kids on the block, is a lean package of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that promises to save UI developers hours of work.

HTML Kickstart is a 300KB HTML template that includes UI elements such as stylish buttons and navigation bars, scalable icons, using Font Awesome, a responsive grid layout, and a touch-enabled slideshow component.

4. HTML5 Boilerplate

HTML5 Boilerplate, released in 2010, was one of the first and most widely used open source front-end web development tools for quickly launching HTML5 websites and web apps.

It's a collection of web development solutions that make our websites compatible with modern browsers. This framework with the ability of quick responsive design, you can learn this project to started.

A mobile-friendly HTML template, placeholder icons, CSS resets for normalizing/standardizing your stylesheet property values, standard media queries for popular viewing screens, an HTML5 shiv for non-modern web browsers, and more are included in HTML5 Boilerplate.

👉 How to Use Go for Machine Learning 👈

How to Choose Which HTML Framework Fits Your Needs?

Deciding the best HTML framework is very important. It's not actually about the best framework, but it's actually about the most suitable framework for your project or business. Here are all the criteria's you should consider before choosing the correct framework for you:

1. Popularity

The framework will be more "alive," dynamic, and comprehensive as it becomes more well-known and recognized: new concepts, the quantity and quality of plug-ins, and so on.

2. Sustainability

Make sure that the framework you choose will be able to keep up with you for the term. This makes it easier to maintain and upgrade your apps.

3. Community Support

Another factor to consider is the simplicity with which you can obtain answers to your inquiries and receive assistance. Determine what kind of help is available, both from the publisher and from the community.

4. Documentation

It is critical to assess the nature, volume, and quality of current literature on a
framework since a well-documented tool is easier to use and improve.

5. Availability of proper resources

You'll want a technical staff to support you during the development process, as well as in the long run for maintenance and updates. To put it another way, make sure that the abilities needed for the tool you're utilizing are readily available.

6. Security

Any application has the potential to be hacked. It is usually preferable to use a
framework capable of guaranteeing security functions to reduce risk.

If you are a beginner, and want to choose the best framework for yourself, we would recommend you should go with the most popular one because it will generally have the most amount of resources available.

Why you should use a Framework?

As we have discussed above, Frameworks can be extremely helpful. To enhance your knowledge of why you should use a framework, here are 5 major advantages:

1. Saves Time

The biggest benefit of a framework is that it saves time and effort while designing an app because the developer doesn't have to deal about data sanitization, session management, error handling, or authentication logic. The framework takes care of the majority of these problems.

2. Highly Customizable

Tweaks might aid in the porting of your program from one platform to another. Add-ons, themes, plugins, and widgets are all terms for things that arise inside framework communities and allow you to customize your application even more quickly.

3. Fast & Scalable

Frameworks are built to be reused, which allows for worldwide quality control and, as a result, a very solid basis on which to build your online product.

4. Code Re-use

Frameworks also encourage code duplication. With a solid framework, you just have to develop a contact form once, for example. Later, you may copy and paste your generic contact from code into all of your projects to save time and work.

5. CRUD

Frameworks are designed to make web development more efficient and straightforward. It includes tools to handle standard CRUD operations like create, read, update, and delete.

Conclusion: Start Using an HTML Framework Today to Build Websites Faster

Some frameworks are forgiving when it comes to name conventions, directory structure, and other details, whereas others are adamant about catching even the slightest faults.

Choosing a framework is a long-term commitment that should not be done carelessly. Make sure you choose the proper one!

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An Introduction to JavaScript Scope and Scope Chain for Beginners

Developer Noon — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 09:21:05 +0000

The notions of scope and scope chain are fundamental to JavaScript and other programming languages. But these important concepts sometimes perplex new JavaScript developers.

You will produce better, more efficient, and cleaner code if you have a thorough understanding of scope and scope chains. And this in turn will help you become a better JavaScript Developer.

So in this article, I'll describe what scope and scope chains are, including their different types, roles, and functionalities.

What are Scope in JavaScript?

Scope refers to the accessibility or visibility of variables in JavaScript. Scope determines which sections of the program can access the variable and where the variable can be seen.

Why are Scope Important?

Here are two most important needs of Scope in JavaScript now-a-days.

We can use scope to prevent unwanted changes to variables from other portions of the program.
Scope is important for security. Scope means you can only access variables from a specific part of the program.

Types of Scope in JavaScript

There are three forms of scope in JavaScript: global scope, function/local scope, and block scope. Let's have a look at what each one means.

1. Global Scope in JavaScript

Variables defined outside a function are said to have global scope. In a JavaScript document, there is only one global scope. You can use a global variable anywhere in your code, even in functions, once you've declared it.

Here is an example of global scope in JavaScript:

var message = 'Welcome';
function greet() {
 console.log(message);
}

// Prints 'Welcome'
greet();

2. Function & Local Scope in JavaScript

Variables defined inside a function are in local scope. For each call to that function, they have a distinct scope. In addition, when a function is called, it establishes a new scope.

Here is an example of Function and Local Scope in JavaScript:

function greet() {
 var message= 'Welcome';
 console.log(message);
}

// Prints 'Hello World!'
greet();

// Uncaught ReferenceError: message is not defined
console.log(message);

3. Block Scope in JavaScript

Unlike var variables, let variables, and const variables can be scoped to the nearest pair of curly braces in ES6. They can't be reached from outside that pair of curly braces, which means they can't be accessed from the outside.

Here is an example of Block Scope in JavaScript:

{
 let message = 'Welcome';
 var lang = 'JavaScript';
 console.log(message); // Prints 'Welcome'
}

// Prints 'JavaScript'
console.log(lang);

// Uncaught ReferenceError: message is not defined
console.log(greeting);

Var variables are not block-scoped, so they can be used outside of the block.

Scope Chain in JavaScript

When you use a variable in JavaScript, the JavaScript engine searches the current scope for its value, just like JavaScript Pointers. If the variable isn't discovered in the inner scope, it will look for it in the outer scope until it finds it or it reaches global scope.

If it still can't discover the variable, it will either throw an error or implicitly declare it in the global scope.

Here is an example of Scope Chain in JavaScript:

let foo = 'foo';

function bar() {
let baz = 'baz';
// Prints 'baz'
console.log(baz);
// Prints 'foo'
console.log(foo);


number = 42;
console.log(number);  // Prints 42
}

bar();

When the function bar() is called, the JavaScript engine searches for the baz variable in the current scope and finds it. Then it looks for the foo variable in the current scope, which it doesn't find, so it moves to the outer scope, where it finds it, that is global scope.

Then we add 42 to the number variable, instructing the JavaScript engine to seek for it first in the current scope, then in the outer scope.

If the script isn't in strict mode, the engine will either create a new variable named number and assign the value 42 to it, or it will throw an error.

When you use a variable, the engine will look for it all the way down the scope chain.

Conclusion

A scope is a visible and accessible space for a variable in a nutshell. JavaScript scopes, like functions, can be nested, and the JavaScript engine traverses the scope chain to find the variables used in the program.

The lexical scope of variables in JavaScript is determined during the construction process. The JavaScript engine maintains variables in the lexical environment during program execution.

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5 Tips to Improve your Portfolio's Engagement in 2022

Developer Noon — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 18:45:22 +0000

Portfolio's are an excellent way to show your skills and worth to your potential employer, or client. It's also helpful when you want to showcase your projects to the worth and have some engagement on it.

However, sometimes it can be hard to find engagement on your portfolio as well as projects. To solve this problem, we have talked about some of the best 5 ways to improve your portfolio's design as well as portfolio's engagement.

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1. Use Images & Visuals

Using images and visuals in your portfolio is a huge plus point and it help the visitor to understand everything quickly, and therefore the engagement increases.

How to correctly use images in portfolio?

Here are some of the best ways to use images in your portfolio, that increases engagement and sales:

Have a cover image for your blogs.
Same small video clips, or have a collection of images of your projects, that shows the visitor everything about the project.
Use illustration and graphics in important areas of the website. Here are 15 Best Websites to Find illustrations for Free Online.
Use images of certificates, awards, and pictures of event to show that you have practical experience.
Showing something is better than telling something.

2. Use Animation

Similarly than images and illustrations, Animation is a new and modern way to engage your visitors and to show them your skills. Animations can effect the user experience as soon as the visitor starts interacting with the website.

Best Practices of using Animation

Here are some of the best practices of using Animation in your website.

An animated starting screen is really important now-a-days to improve user experience.
If possible, try to make animated cover images for your projects and blogs.
Animated profile picture, logos could be extremely beneficial.

3. Have an contact form

One of the main motive for your portfolio can be to get clients, to for your potential employers to contact you. Just putting an email address instead of a contact form can decrease the websites CTA (Call to Action).

The best way, we recommend is to have a small contact form at the end of each page, and a full contact form with all the desired categories should have a total different page, which should be linked at the top of the main page.

How to Design a Contact Form?

Make sure to put all the things, we discuss below to put it on your contact form.

Make it small, but not incomplete.
Have required boxes for email, name, and a message.
If you wish to have more information, you can add optional contact forms for phone number, company name, website, and social media.
Check marks are an great ways improve the engagement of the form.
Don't ask useless information, that you don't require in the form. It can be done later, through email or on a call.
Make sure that your submit button are easily visible.
You can add a Confirm Human integration, this is complete optional.

4. Have a custom Error / 404 Page

The default 4o4 pages of any libraries and frameworks are not very good looking, and of course, doesn't match the overall overall theme of the website.

Though, default 404 pages are good enough to show the visitors that they are at the wrong page, but it definitely decreases the engagement of the visitor.

How to improve a 404 page?

Custom Error / 404 pages are essential now-a-days. I have seen many websites that either don't have a custom 404 page or just uses a very bad looking one. Here are some of the way to improve it:

Make it small and precise, so that the visitor can easily understand it.
If you can, write a funny small quote instead of this page doesn't exist.
Make sure to illustrations, and memes on the page.
Make sure to add a button that redirects to the main page of website.
If you are using ads, please don't put ads on this page because it will definitely not give a good first impression of your website.

5. Check the 5th Tip on our Complete Article on Developer Noon. This Tip is Really Important.

Conclusion

In this article, we talked about some of the best ways that you can implement on your portfolio to improve the engagement, and the sales of your products. These tips are highly effective, and are used by some of the most visited portfolios in the world.

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25 NPM Packages for Developers to Boost Productivity

Developer Noon — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 08:30:10 +0000

The JavaScript programming language has its own package manager, NPM. It consists of a command-line client, commonly known as NPM, and the NPM registry, an online database of public and paid-for private packages.

NPM packages helps Developers to boost their developer experience and productivity. It is used by more than 11 million developers worldwide, NPM is committed to making JavaScript development elegant, productive, and safe.

Here are some of the best NPM packages, developers should use according to their uses and requirements.

Best Frontend NPM Packages

Here's are some of the best frontend packages:

1. React

React manages sections of a page as independent components using a virtual DOM, which allows you to refresh a component without reloading the full page. It's frequently used in conjunction with React-dom and React-router-dom.

2. Svelte

Svelte is a new approach to web application development. It's a compiler that translates your declarative components into efficient JavaScript that updates the DOM cleanly.

3. Vue

Vue was created by merging the finest elements of React and other frameworks, with an emphasis on making Web app development faster, easier, and more enjoyable. Exceptional documentation. Vue-router and Vuex are frequently used together.

Best Backend NPM Packages

Here's are some of the best backend packages:

1. Express

Node.js web framework that is fast, unprejudiced, and minimalist. It's simple and straightforward, with numerous capabilities available as plugins. Often referred to as a standard Node.js server framework.

2. Sails

Hapi was designed with the Express framework in mind. With Hapi, you can create robust, scalable applications with minimum overhead and complete functionality right out of the box.

3. Hapi

Sails is the most popular Node.js MVC framework, supporting current project requirements such as data-driven APIs and a scalable, service-oriented architecture.

Best Web Socket Packages

Here's are some of the best Web Socket Packages:

1. Socket.io

Socket.IO allows for bidirectional, real-time, and event-based communication. It's compatible with any platform, browser, or device, and it prioritizes both dependability and speed.

2. WS

Web Socket client and server implementation that is easy to use, quick, and extensively tested. A nice, less abstract, and stripped-down version of Socket.io.

Best Database Packages

Here's are some of the best Database Package:

1. Sequelize

Sequelize is a Node.js ORM for Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and Microsoft SQL Server that uses promises.

It includes transaction support, relations, eager and lazy loading, read replication, and other features.

2. Mongoose

Mongoose is a tool for modelling MongoDB objects in an asynchronous context. Promises and callbacks are both supported by Mongoose.

Best Styling Frameworks Packages

Here's are some of the best Styling Frameworks Packages:

1. Bootstrap

The most popular framework for creating responsive, mobile-first websites in the world. Though big in stature, it is intuitive and powerful. Many current UI kits, such as React Bootstrap and React strap, are built on it.

2. Styled-components

For quick UI creation, a low-level, utility-first CSS framework. It was designed from the ground up to be very customizable.

3. Tailwind

A CSS-in-JS tool that bridges the gap between components and styling, with a variety of features to get you started styling components in a practical and reusable way.

To get started with CSS, Check out This Article for CSS Basics 👉 https://developernoon.com/css-basics/

Best Static Site Generator Packages

Here's are some of the best Static Site Generator Packages:

1. Next JS

Next JS is first and foremost a server rendering framework that also enables statically created content. Server less functions can also be defined as API endpoints.

2. Nuxt JS

In the Vue ecosystem, Nuxt JS is essentially a Next JS counterpart. The purpose of NuxtJS is to make web development more powerful and performant while also providing a nice developer experience.

Best Data Generators Packages

Here's are some of the best Data Generators Packages:

1. Uuid

More complicated universally unique identifiers can be generated quickly and simply with this small software (UUIDs).

2. Faker

This package can be used to generate large volumes of bogus data in the browser using Node.js.

Best Web scraping and automation Packages

Here's are some of the best Web scraping and automation Packages:

1. Cheerio

Cheerio is a popular web scraping tool that can also be used to automate operations. Because it is based on jQuery, it is fairly snappy and responsive.

Cheerio is a wrapper for the Parse5 parser that can parse any sort of HTML or XML document.

2. Puppeteer

Puppeteer is a popular tool for automating browser functions, however it can only be used with the Google Chrome headless browser, also known as chromium.

Puppeteer can also be used to scrape data from the internet. In comparison to the Cheerio module, it is far more powerful and feature-rich.

Best CLI Packages

Here's are some of the best CLI Packages:

1. Inquirer

A stylish and easy-to-embed command-line interface for Node.js. It has a fantastic inquiry session flow.

2. Chalk

Chalk is a very simple library with only one goal in mind: to style your terminal strings.

3. Debug

A small debugging tool for JavaScript. Simply supply the name of your module to a function, and it will return a decorated console. You can use this error to pass debug statements to.

Conclusion

Of course, you are not required to install and study all of them. Choosing one from each category should usually suffice.

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