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By, Jim Jones For dynamic apps, Rails has taken a backseat to client side frameworks such as AngularJS, Ember and Backbone. Learn how to use server side javascript effectively to greatly simplify your code base and reuse your view logic. We'll implement parallel apps with vanilla Rails js responses, AngularJS and Ember.js so that we can contrast the implementations and evaluate the tradeoffs.
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In the presentation titled "Your Front End Framework is Overkill - Server Side Javascript w/ Rails" by Jim Jones at RailsConf 2015, the discussion centers on leveraging server-side JavaScript within the Rails framework to simplify the development of dynamic applications. Jones addresses the prevalent trend of utilizing client-side frameworks such as AngularJS, Ember.js, and Backbone, asserting that while they have their benefits, they may not always be necessary. The session highlights several key points: - **Overview of Dynamic Sites**: Jones emphasizes that Rails can effectively handle dynamic site functionalities using its existing architecture without the need for extensive JavaScript frameworks. - **Comparison of Technologies**: The talk introduces various technologies including raw JavaScript, jQuery, Backbone, Ember.js, and AngularJS, highlighting their advantages and uses in web development. - **Demonstration of Server-Side Rendering**: Through a live coding session, Jones demonstrates how to dynamically update a user listing in a Rails application by leveraging Rails' built-in capabilities, such as AJAX with the 'remote: true' flag for asynchronous requests. - **Utilizing Built-In Functionality**: He shows how to create user instances and update the table without pulling in additional dependencies, stressing that many developers overlook these capabilities in favor of heavier client-side frameworks. - **Caveats and Challenges**: Several pitfalls of server-side JavaScript responses are discussed, including debugging issues, event handler management, and ensuring that dynamic changes appropriately reflect in the UI. - **Best Practices**: Jones advises against over-engineering solutions by recommending a minimalist approach toward using frameworks and emphasizing the importance of evaluating needs critically before incorporating additional complexity. - **Concluding Advice**: He quotes Dan McKinley from Etsy, emphasizing the principle of solving problems without unnecessary complexity, advocating for a thoughtful examination of whether additional frameworks are needed for dynamic updates. In conclusion, Jones claims that utilizing server-side JavaScript with Rails can lead to cleaner, more maintainable codebases while providing efficient user interaction without the overhead of client-side frameworks. The insights shared encourage developers to rethink their reliance on full-fledged front-end frameworks, especially for applications that could be handled perfectly well within the Rails framework itself.
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