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Josh Lavely
Josh Lavely

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My top reasons for using Blazor WASM

This list is just a handful of really good things about Blazor Wasm and my experience with Blazor.

Native-Like Performance:

Blazor WebAssembly (Wasm) PWAs offer near-native performance by executing directly in the browser, leveraging the full power of the client's hardware. This results in a smoother and more responsive user experience compared to React app PWAs, which rely on JavaScript execution and may suffer from performance limitations.

Single Language for Frontend and Backend:

Blazor Wasm allows developers to write both frontend and backend code in C#, enabling seamless code reuse and reducing the need for context switching between different programming languages. In contrast, React app PWAs require developers to use JavaScript for the frontend and often rely on separate backend technologies.

Improved Development Productivity:

With Blazor Wasm, developers can utilize their existing C# and .NET skills, benefiting from a rich ecosystem of tools and libraries. This familiarity and code reuse streamline development processes, reduce learning curves, and boost overall productivity. React app PWAs, on the other hand, involve learning and managing the React ecosystem, including JSX, state management libraries, and build configurations.

Enhanced Code Sharing:

Blazor's shared code model allows developers to share code between the frontend and backend, resulting in reduced development efforts and improved maintainability. This is particularly advantageous for PWAs with complex business logic and data manipulation. React app PWAs often require separate codebases for the frontend and backend, increasing the complexity of code sharing and maintenance.

Improved Performance on Low-Bandwidth Networks:

Blazor Wasm PWAs can provide a better user experience in low-bandwidth or unstable network conditions. Once the application is loaded, follow-up interactions require minimal network communication, as the bulk of the application logic is executed on the client-side. React app PWAs, on the other hand, rely on continuous communication with the server, leading to increased network traffic and potential performance degradation in constrained network environments.

Offline Capabilities:

Blazor Wasm PWAs can leverage service workers and caching strategies to offer robust offline capabilities. By caching the necessary assets and data on the client-side, the application can continue to function even when the network connection is lost. React app PWAs require additional configuration and handling to achieve similar offline functionality.

Tight Integration with .NET Ecosystem:

Blazor Wasm seamlessly integrates with the wider .NET ecosystem, including libraries, frameworks, and development tools. This allows developers to leverage existing resources, such as authentication and authorization libraries, database connectors, and unit testing frameworks, enhancing the overall development experience. React app PWAs may require additional integrations and configurations to achieve similar levels of compatibility with backend services and tools.

Smaller Application Size:

Blazor Wasm applications have smaller initial download sizes compared to React app PWAs. Blazor Wasm leverages WebAssembly and smart linking to optimize the size of the transferred code, resulting in faster initial loading times. React app PWAs, with their reliance on JavaScript bundles, often have larger download sizes, leading to increased load times and potential user frustration.

Cross-Platform Compatibility:

Blazor Wasm PWAs can be deployed across multiple platforms and devices, including desktop, mobile, and IoT devices. The application code is executed within the browser, ensuring platform independence. React app PWAs, while also offering cross-platform capabilities, may require additional frameworks or adaptations to ensure consistent behavior across different platforms.

Security and Code Integrity:

Blazor Wasm offers enhanced security by running the application code within the browser's sandboxed environment. This mitigates the risk of malicious code injection and ensures the integrity of the application. React app PWAs, with their reliance on JavaScript, may be more vulnerable to code tampering and security breaches if not properly secured.

what are your thoughts about Blazor Wasm? give it a shot if you haven't yet; youll be surprised at how inthitive it feels.

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