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UNIT V
NON-FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF APP FRAMEWORKS
Non-functional characteristics of app frameworks, also known as non-functional
requirements or quality attributes, are important aspects that describe how an application
framework performs and behaves beyond its basic functional features. These characteristics
are crucial for evaluating and selecting an app framework based on your project's specific
needs. Here are some non-functional characteristics of app frameworks:
1. Performance:
Speed:
The framework's ability to execute operations quickly and efficiently.
Scalability: How well the framework can handle increasing workloads and
user demands.
Resource Efficiency: The framework's utilization of system resources such as
memory and CPU.
2. Reliability:
Stability: The framework's ability to operate without unexpected crashes or
errors.
Fault How well the framework handles errors and failures without
compromising the entire application.
3. Security:
Authentication and Authorization:
Features for user authentication and
access control.
Data The ability to encrypt sensitive data to protect it from
unauthorized access.
Vulnerability Management: How well the framework addresses security
vulnerabilities and provides patches or updates.
4. Maintainability:
Code Maintainability: The ease with which developers can understand and
modify the framework's code.
Documentation: The availability and quality of documentation for the
framework.
Versioning and Updates: How well the framework handles updates and
backward compatibility.
5. Scalability:
Horizontal and Vertical Scalability: The ability to scale the application
horizontally (adding more servers) and vertically (upgrading server hardware)
to accommodate growing traffic and data.
Load Support for distributing incoming requests across
multiple servers.
6. Usability:
Developer-Friendly: How easy it is for developers to work with the
framework, including the availability of helpful tools and features.
User-Friendly: The framework's impact on the end-user experience,
including responsiveness and accessibility.
7. Interoperability:
Integration: The ease with which the framework can be integrated with other
technologies, services, and APIs.
Cross-Platform Support for running applications on multiple
platforms (e.g., web, mobile, desktop).
Compliance:
PREPARED BY JAYAVANI.R AP/CSE
2021 REGULATION CCS 332 APP DEVELOPMENT UNIT5
3
8.
Web Application
1. Ruby on Rails:
Ruby Language:
Pros: Convention over configuration (CoC), DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself)
principles, strong community support, rapid development, and a wealth of
plugins (gems).
Cons: May not be as performant for very high-traffic applications.
2. Django:
Language: Python
Pros: High-level framework, follows the "batteries-included" philosophy,
excellent documentation, robust security features, and ORM (Object-
Relational Mapping) support.
Cons: Can be heavyweight for simple applications, a steeper learning curve
for beginners.
3. Node.js with Express:
Language: JavaScript
Pros: Lightweight and fast, highly customizable, ideal for building real-time
applications, extensive npm ecosystem, and non-blocking I/O.
Cons: Requires more configuration than some other frameworks,
less opinionated, which can lead to inconsistency across projects.
Mobile Application
1. React Native:
JavaScript Language:
Desktop Application
1. Electron:
Languages:
JavaScript, HTML, CSS
Pros: Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux), wide developer adoption,
huge library of plugins, ability to reuse web development skills.
Cons: Higher memory usage compared to native desktop apps.
2. Qt:
Language: C++
Pros: Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, and more), native look and
feel, high performance, extensive libraries and tools.
Cons: Steeper learning curve due to C++.
3. WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) and WinForms (Windows Forms):
Language: C#
Pros: Officially supported by Microsoft, deep integration with Windows OS,
extensive UI controls and libraries.
Cons: Platform-specific (Windows only).
Build Performance
Build performance" typically refers to the speed and efficiency of the build process in
software development. The build process is the set of tasks and operations that convert
human-readable source code into executable or deployable software. This process can vary
depending on the type of application (web, mobile, desktop) and the technology stack used.
Build performance is crucial because faster builds lead to quicker development cycles and a
more productive development team. Here are some key factors that influence build
performance and tips to improve it:
1. Hardware:
PowerfulUse fast and modern hardware for building, such as multicore
Hardware:
processors, SSDs (Solid State Drives), and ample RAM. These components can significantly
reduce build times.
2. Build Tools:
1. Interactive Debuggers:
Breakpoints:
Developers can set breakpoints in their code, allowing them to pause the
execution of the program at specific points to inspect variables, stack traces, and the program's
state.
Step Into, Step Over, and Step Out: Debuggers enable developers to step
through code line by line, either diving into functions (Step Into), skipping function calls (Step
Over), or returning from functions (Step Out).
2. Variable Inspection:
Watch Windows: Developers can watch the values of variables and
expressions in real-time as they change during program execution.
Local and Global Variables: Debuggers provide access to local and global
variables, making it easier to understand the state of the program.
3. Call Stack Analysis:
Call Stack Viewer:
Developers can examine the call stack, which shows the sequence of
function calls leading up to the current point in code. This helps in understanding the
program's flow.
4. Error Messages and Exception Handling:
Exception Tracing:
Debuggers can capture and display exceptions, along with detailed error
messages and stack traces, helping developers pinpoint the source of errors.
5.
Logging and Trace Statements:
Developers can use log statements to record information, warnings,
Logging:
and errors in the code. These logs can be analyzed to identify issues.
Trace Trace statements allow developers to track the flow of the
program by adding custom messages at various points in the code.
6. Conditional Breakpoints:
1. Modular
Break your app into modular components or modules, each responsible for a
specific function or feature. This modular approach makes it easier to
understand and update individual parts of the app without affecting the whole.
2. Code
Organize your codebase logically by grouping related files and components
together. Follow consistent naming conventions and directory structures to
make it intuitive for developers to find their way around the code.
3. Documentation
Maintain comprehensive documentation that explains the architecture, code
structure, APIs, and important design decisions. Good documentation makes it
easier for developers to understand and work with the codebase.
4. Comments and Code Comments:
Use comments to explain complex or non-obvious parts of the code. Be sure to
keep comments up to date as the code evolves.
5. Version
1. Clear
Provide comprehensive and well-organized documentation that includes
installation instructions, setup guides, usage examples, and API references.
Clear documentation helps developers quickly understand how to use your
tools or libraries.
2. Sensible Defaults:
Set sensible default configurations and behavior for your development tools or
frameworks. This reduces the need for extensive configuration and makes it
easy to get started quickly.
3. Developer-Friendly APIs:
Design APIs and interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use. Follow
established design principles, such as the principle of least astonishment, to
make your APIs predictable and consistent.
4. Developer
Develop or provide developer tools that simplify common tasks, such as
debugging, profiling, and code analysis. These tools can significantly enhance
the development experience.
5. Automation:
Automate repetitive tasks like building, testing, and deployment.
Implementing CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment)
pipelines can streamline development workflows.
6. Code
Create code generators or scaffolding tools that help developers set up project
structures, boilerplate code, and configurations quickly.
7. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Support:
Ensure compatibility with popular IDEs and code editors, and provide
extensions or plugins that enhance the development experience.
8. Community and
Foster an active developer community by offering forums, chat channels, and
support resources. A vibrant community can provide valuable assistance and
share best practices.
9. Testing and Debugging Support:
Integrate testing frameworks and debugging tools that make it easy to identify
and resolve issues during development.
10. Real-Time
Offer real-time feedback during development, such as error messages, code
linting, and live previews, to help developers catch and address problems
early.
11. Standardization and Consistency:
Encourage standardization and consistency in code style, project structure, and
naming conventions. This simplifies code reviews and collaboration among
developers.
12. Component Reusability:
Promote component-based development, where reusable components can be
easily integrated into various parts of the application. This reduces redundancy
and speeds up development.
13. Version Control
UI/UX
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) are two essential aspects of app development
that significantly influence how users interact with and perceive your application. A well-
designed UI and a positive UX can enhance user satisfaction, engagement, and overall app
success. Here's an overview of UI/UX considerations in app development:
1. Visual Design:
Create an aesthetically pleasing and visually consistent design that aligns
with your app's branding and target audience.
2. Layout and Navigation:
Design intuitive layouts and navigation structures that guide users through
the app seamlessly.
Use clear and organized menus, buttons, and navigation bars.
3. Typography and Readability:
Choose appropriate fonts and text sizes for readability.
Ensure adequate contrast between text and background colors to enhance
readability.
4. Color Scheme:
Select a harmonious color scheme that not only looks appealing but also
communicates the app's purpose and mood effectively.
5. Responsive Design:
Ensure that your app's UI is responsive, adapting to various screen sizes
and orientations for a consistent experience on different devices.
6. Consistency:
Maintain visual consistency in terms of color, typography, and design
elements throughout the app to create a coherent and polished feel.
7. Accessibility:
1. User Research:
Conduct user research to understand your target audience, their needs,
preferences, and pain points.
Create user personas and user journey maps to guide design decisions.
2. Information Architecture:
Organize content and features logically to make it easy for users to find what
they need.
Utilize clear hierarchies and categorization.
3. Usability Testing:
Conduct usability testing with real users to identify usability issues and gather
feedback for improvement.
4. Task Flow and User Flows:
Design user flows that align with common user tasks and goals. Ensure a
smooth and logical progression through the app.
5. Minimize Cognitive Load:
Simplify the user's decision-making process by presenting information and
options in a clear and concise manner.
Minimize distractions and irrelevant information.
6. Performance:
Optimize app performance to ensure fast loading times and smooth
interactions.
Implement lazy loading and efficient data fetching to reduce wait times.
7. Error Handling:
Provide user-friendly error messages and guidance when errors occur. Suggest
solutions when possible.
8. User Feedback:
Encourage user feedback and provide channels for users to report issues
or suggest improvements.
9. Personalization:
Offer personalization options and recommendations based on user
preferences and behavior.
10. Onboarding:
Create an effective onboarding experience for new users to help them
understand how to use the app and its key features.
11. A/B Testing:
Conduct A/B testing to experiment with different UI/UX variations and
determine which designs and features perform best.
12. Continuous Improvement:
PREPARED BY JAYAVANI.R AP/CSE
2021 REGULATION CCS 332 APP DEVELOPMENT UNIT5
3
Continuously gather user feedback and data analytics to make iterative
improvements to the UI/UX.
13. Cross-Platform Consistency:
Maintain a consistent UI/UX across different platforms (e.g., web,
mobile) to provide a seamless experience for users who switch between devices.
Reusability
Reusability is a fundamental concept in software development that refers to the ability to use
existing code, components, or modules in multiple parts of an application or across different
projects. It promotes efficiency, maintainability, and consistency in software development.
Here are key aspects of reusability and how it can be achieved:
1. Modularization
Break your code into modular components that perform specific functions or
encapsulate specific features. These modules can be easily reused in different
parts of the application or in other projects.
2. Library and Framework Usage:
Leverage external libraries and frameworks whenever possible to avoid
reinventing the wheel. These libraries often provide reusable components,
functions, or modules that can save development time.
3. API Design:
Design clean and well-documented APIs (Application Programming
Interfaces) for your code. Well-defined APIs make it easier for other
developers (including yourself) to understand and use your code.
4. Design
Implement design patterns, such as the Singleton pattern or Factory pattern, to
create reusable solutions to common design problems.
5. Component-Based Architecture:
Adopt a component-based architecture where user interface (UI) components,
such as buttons, forms, and widgets, are created as reusable building blocks.
6. Template
Use template engines or templating libraries to create reusable HTML, XML,
or other markup templates.
7. Inheritance and Polymorphism:
Use object-oriented programming principles like inheritance and
polymorphism to create reusable base classes and interfaces that can be
extended and implemented by subclasses.
8. Functional
Functional programming techniques, such as higher-order functions and pure
functions, can lead to more reusable code by emphasizing the separation of
concerns and immutability.
9. Dependency
Employ dependency injection to pass dependencies into components, making
it easier to swap out implementations and reuse code across different contexts.
10. Package and Module Management:
Organize your code into packages or modules, making it easier to import and
reuse specific functionalities.
11. Documentation
Thoroughly document your reusable code, including usage examples,
parameter descriptions, and expected behavior. Good documentation helps
other developers understand how to use your code effectively.
PREPARED BY JAYAVANI.R AP/CSE
2021 REGULATION CCS 332 APP DEVELOPMENT UNIT5
3
12. Version
Use version control systems (e.g., Git) to manage and share reusable code.
Hosting code on platforms like GitHub or GitLab can facilitate collaboration
and code reuse.
13. Testing and Validation:
Ensure that your reusable components are thoroughly tested to verify their
correctness and reliability.
14. Continuous
Continuously evaluate and improve the reusability of your codebase. Refactor
and optimize code as necessary to make it more adaptable for future use.
15. Code
Encourage code reviews within your development team to identify
opportunities for code reuse and enforce coding standards that promote
reusability.