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How to Contribute to Redux with Mark Erikson

We are kicking off a brand new series of videos in 2022 to help developers learn how they can contribute code to some of the world’s most popular JavaScript frameworks and technologies. Subscribe to This Dot Media’s Youtube Channel.

For those interested in React state management, I sat down with Mark Erikson, maintainer of Redux recently! If you would like to check out that interview, you can see it here.

What is Redux?

Redux is an open source JavaScript library that helps developers manage and centralize global state in their large-scale applications. By wrapping state in a store, you can alert all code that subscribes to the store of updates to the state.

Mark Erikson

Mark Erikson started contributing to Redux in 2016. After working with JavaScript and Backbone for years, Mark began learning React and Redux, which eventually led him to a chat channel called Reactiflux.

While hanging out on these channels, he noticed a ton of people asking the same questions, which inspired him to volunteer to write an FAQ page for the Redux project. Shortly after, Redux co-creator Dan Abramov gave Mark commit rights to the repository, allowing him to triage issues and answer questions.

This goes to show anyone can contribute to open source - you just need to get started!

What to Know Before You Get Started

Before jumping into contributing to Redux, it's important to know a few key things about the repository:

  • There are three primary repositories within the Redux org. These include redux-core, react-redux, and redux-toolkit.
  • Redux-toolkit is how the team wants people to use Redux today and where the bulk of the open source work is taking place.
  • Each repository is structured similarly, so once you understand one, it'll be easy to understand the other two!

First Steps for Contributing

Since most of the work is taking place in redux-toolkit, new developers will find that it is the most active. In fact, new contributors can learn more, and even help out by reading and responding to questions in the discussions tab located in redux-toolkit as a way to start contributing easily.

Redux-toolkit also has many open issues that developers can work on or triage! Developers can help by reproducing bugs or by editing and adding to documentation.

If you're interested in helping in redux-core, Mark is looking for TypeScript experts who are interested in reviewing types!

If you are interested in contributing but need a little additional guidance, Mark invites you to reach out to him with your questions and he will do his best to get back to you!

Good luck contributing, and we hope you have fun submitting your first PR to Redux!

This Dot Labs is a development consultancy that is trusted by top industry companies, including Stripe, Xero, Wikimedia, Docusign, and Twilio. This Dot takes a hands-on approach by providing tailored development strategies to help you approach your most pressing challenges with clarity and confidence. Whether it's bridging the gap between business and technology or modernizing legacy systems, you’ll find a breadth of experience and knowledge you need. Check out how This Dot Labs can empower your tech journey.

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Angular 17: Continuing the Renaissance cover image

Angular 17: Continuing the Renaissance

Angular 17: A New Era November 8th marked a significant milestone in the world of Angular with the release of Angular 17. This wasn't just any ordinary update; it was a leap forward, signifying a new chapter for the popular framework. But what made this release truly stand out was the unveiling of Angular's revamped website, complete with a fresh brand identity and a new logo. This significant transformation represents the evolving nature of Angular, aligning with the modern demands of web development. To commemorate this launch, we also hosted a release afterparty, where we went deep into its new features with Minko Gechev from the Angular core team, and Google Developer Experts (GDEs) Brandon Roberts, Deborah Kurata, and Enea Jahollari. But what exactly are these notable new features in the latest version? Let's dive in and explore. The Angular Renaissance Angular has been undergoing a significant revival, often referred to as Angular's renaissance, a term coined by Sarah Drasner, the Director of Engineering at Google, earlier this year. This revival has been particularly evident in its recent versions. The Angular team has worked hard to introduce many new improvements, focusing on signal-based reactivity, hydration, server-side rendering, standalone components, and migrating to esbuild and Vite for a better and faster developer experience. This latest release, in particular, marks many of these features as production-ready. Standalone Components About a year ago, Angular began a journey toward modernity with the introduction of standalone components. This move significantly enhanced the developer experience, making Angular more contemporary and user-friendly. In Angular's context, a standalone component is a self-sufficient, reusable code unit that combines logic, data, and user interface elements. What sets these components apart is their independence from Angular's NgModule system, meaning they do not rely on it for configuration or dependencies. By setting a standalone: true` flag, you no longer need to embed your component in an NgModule and you can bootstrap directly off that component: `typescript // ./app/app.component.ts @Component({ selector: 'app', template: 'hello', standalone: true }) export class AppComponent {} // ./main.ts import { bootstrapApplication } from '@angular/platform-browser'; import { AppComponent } from './app/app.component'; bootstrapApplication(AppComponent).catch(e => console.error(e)); ` Compared to the NgModules way of adding components, as shown below, you can immediately see how standalone components make things much simpler. `ts // ./app/app.component.ts import { Component } from '@angular/core'; @Component({ selector: 'app-root', templateUrl: './app.component.html', styleUrls: ['./app.component.css'], }) export class AppComponent { title = 'CodeSandbox'; } // ./app/app.module.ts import { NgModule } from '@angular/core'; import { BrowserModule } from '@angular/platform-browser'; import { AppComponent } from './app.component'; @NgModule({ declarations: [ AppComponent ], imports: [ BrowserModule ], providers: [], bootstrap: [AppComponent] }) export class AppModule { } // .main.ts import { platformBrowserDynamic } from '@angular/platform-browser-dynamic'; import { AppModule } from './app/app.module'; platformBrowserDynamic() .bootstrapModule(AppModule) .catch((err) => console.error(err)); ` In this latest release, the Angular CLI now defaults to generating standalone components, directives, and pipes. This default setting underscores the shift towards a standalone-centric development approach in Angular. New Syntax for Enhanced Control Flow Angular 17 introduces a new syntax for control flow, replacing traditional structural directives like ngIf` or `ngFor`, which have been part of Angular since version 2. This new syntax is designed for fine-grained change detection and eventual zone-less operation when Angular completely migrates to signals. It's more streamlined and performance-efficient, making handling conditional or list content in templates easier. The @if` block replaces `*ngIf` for expressing conditional parts of the UI. `ts @if (a > b) { {{a}} is greater than {{b}} } @else if (b > a) { {{a}} is less than {{b}} } @else { {{a}} is equal to {{b}} } ` The @switch` block replaces `ngSwitch`, offering benefits such as not requiring a container element to hold the condition expression or each conditional template. It also supports template type-checking, including type narrowing within each branch. ```ts @switch (condition) { @case (caseA) { Case A. } @case (caseB) { Case B. } @default { Default case. } } ``` The @for` block replaces `*ngFor` for iteration and presents several differences compared to its structural directive predecessor, `ngFor`. For example, the tracking expression (calculating keys corresponding to object identities) is mandatory but offers better ergonomics. Additionally, it supports `@empty` blocks. `ts @for (item of items; track item.id) { {{ item.name }} } ` Defer Block for Lazy Loading Angular 17 introduces the @defer` block, a dramatically improving lazy loading of content within Angular applications. Within the `@defer` block framework, several sub-blocks are designed to elegantly manage different phases of the deferred loading process. The main content within the `@defer` block is the segment designated for lazy loading. Initially, this content is not rendered, becoming visible only when specific triggers are activated or conditions are met, and after the required dependencies have been loaded. By default, the trigger for a `@defer` block is the browser reaching an idle state. For instance, take the following block: it delays the loading of the calendar-imp` component until it comes into the viewport. Until that happens, a placeholder is shown. This placeholder displays a loading message when the `calendar-imp` component begins to load, and an error message if, for some reason, the component fails to load. `ts @defer (on viewport) { } @placeholder { Calendar placeholder } @loading { Loading calendar } @error { Error loading calendar } ` The on` keyword supports a wide a variety of other conditions, such as: - idle` (when the browser has reached an idle state) - interaction` (when the user interacts with a specified element) - hover` (when the mouse has hovered over a trigger area) - timer(x)` (triggers after a specified duration) - immediate` (triggers the deferred load immediately) The second option of configuring when deferring happens is by using the when` keyword. For example: `ts @defer (when isVisible) { } ` Server-Side Rendering (SSR) Angular 17 has made server-side rendering (SSR) much more straightforward. Now, a --ssr` option is included in the `ng new` command, removing the need for additional setup or configurations. When creating a new project with the `ng new` command, the CLI inquires if SSR should be enabled. As of version 17, the default response is set to 'No'. However, for version 18 and beyond, the plan is to enable SSR by default in newly generated applications. If you prefer to start with SSR right away, you can do so by initializing your project with the `--ssr` flag: `shell ng new --ssr ` For adding SSR to an already existing project, utilize the ng add` command of the Angular CLI: `shell ng add @angular/ssr ` Hydration In Angular 17, the process of hydration, which is essential for reviving a server-side rendered application on the client-side, has reached a stable, production-ready status. Hydration involves reusing the DOM structures rendered on the server, preserving the application's state, and transferring data retrieved from the server, among other crucial tasks. This functionality is automatically activated when server-side rendering (SSR) is used. It offers a more efficient approach than the previous method, where the server-rendered tree was completely replaced, often causing visible UI flickers. Such re-rendering can adversely affect Core Web Vitals, including Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), leading to layout shifts. By enabling hydration, Angular 17 allows for the reuse of the existing DOM, effectively preventing these flickers. Support for View Transitions The new View Transitions API, supported by some browsers, is now integrated into the Angular router. This feature, which must be activated using the withViewTransitions` function, allows for CSS-based animations during route transitions, adding a layer of visual appeal to applications. To use it, first you need to import withViewTransitions`: `ts import { provideRouter, withViewTransitions } from '@angular/router'; ` Then, you need to add it to the provideRouter` configuration: `ts bootstrapApplication(AppComponent, { providers: [ provideRouter(routes, withViewTransitions()) ] }) ` Other Notable Changes - Angular 17 has stabilized signals, initially introduced in Angular 16, providing a new method for state management in Angular apps. - Angular 17 no longer supports Node 16. The minimal Node version required is now 18.13. - TypeScript version 5.2 is the least supported version starting from this release of Angular. - The @Component` decorator now supports a `styleUrl` attribute. This allows for specifying a single stylesheet path as a string, simplifying the process of linking a component to a specific style sheet. Previously, even for a single stylesheet, an array was required under `styleUrls`. Conclusion With the launch of Angular 17, the Angular Renaissance is now in full swing. This release has garnered such positive feedback that developers are showing renewed interest in the framework and are looking forward to leveraging it in upcoming projects. However, it's important to note that it might take some time for IDEs to adapt to the new templating syntax fully. While this transition is underway, rest assured that you can still write perfectly valid code using the old templating syntax, as all the changes in Angular 17 are backward compatible. Looking ahead, the future of Angular appears brighter than ever, and we can't wait to see what the next release has in store!...

Nuxt DevTools v1.0: Redefining the Developer Experience Beyond Conventional Tools cover image

Nuxt DevTools v1.0: Redefining the Developer Experience Beyond Conventional Tools

In the ever-evolving world of web development, Nuxt.js has taken a monumental leap with the launch of Nuxt DevTools v1.0. More than just a set of tools, it's a game-changer—a faithful companion for developers. This groundbreaking release, available for all Nuxt projects and being defaulted from Nuxt v3.8 onwards, marks the beginning of a new era in developer tools. It's designed to simplify our development journey, offering unparalleled transparency, performance, and ease of use. Join me as we explore how Nuxt DevTools v1.0 is set to revolutionize our workflow, making development faster and more efficient than ever. What makes Nuxt DevTools so unique? Alright, let's start delving into the features that make this tool so amazing and unique. There are a lot, so buckle up! In-App DevTools The first thing that caught my attention is that breaking away from traditional browser extensions, Nuxt DevTools v1.0 is seamlessly integrated within your Nuxt app. This ensures universal compatibility across browsers and devices, offering a more stable and consistent development experience. This setup also means the tools are readily available in the app, making your work more efficient. It's a smart move from the usual browser extensions, making it a notable highlight. To use it you just need to press Shift + Option + D` (macOS) or `Shift + Alt + D` (Windows): With simple keystrokes, the Nuxt DevTools v1.0 springs to life directly within your app, ready for action. This integration eliminates the need to toggle between windows or panels, keeping your workflow streamlined and focused. The tools are not only easily accessible but also intelligently designed to enhance your productivity. 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The tool allows you to preview and integrate these assets effortlessly within the DevTools environment. These features significantly enhance the ease and efficiency of managing your app's dynamic and static elements. The Runtime Config and Payload Editor The Runtime Config and Payload Editor in Nuxt DevTools make working with your app's settings and data straightforward. The Runtime Config lets you play with different configuration settings in real time, like adjusting settings on the fly and seeing the effects immediately. This is great for fine-tuning your app without guesswork. The Payload Editor is all about managing the data your app handles, especially data passed from server to client. It's like having a direct view and control over the data your app uses and displays. This tool is handy for seeing how changes in data impact your app, making it easier to understand and debug data-related issues. 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How to Start a Developer Relations Program cover image

How to Start a Developer Relations Program

Developer Relations (DevRel) is a role that’s often misunderstood, undervalued and underrepresented. Some think it's just a marketing department, while others believe it's solely responsible for developer relations. In fact, DevRel is a key part of your company's product team and should be involved at every stage of the product lifecycle—from inception through launch and beyond. The goal of this article is to help you understand the basics you need to start a DevRel program so you can hire the right people, build an effective team structure, measure success, and report on it effectively. What is developer relations? Developer relations (DevRel) is a cross-functional role focused on building relationships with developers, who are users of your product. DevRel plays a critical role in helping teams build and promote their products, by providing support and advocacy for developers. A DevRel team may also be responsible for enforcing developer guidelines, building examples or integrations into your product, or curating content about your product or platform. All of these combined help create a great and sustainable developer experience. How does DevRel fit into your organization? Simply put, DevRel is a strategy and set of tactics that can be used to launch products and platforms aimed at developers. DevRel is not a replacement for product marketing and community management—it's an extension of both, and usually overlaps with these two other practice areas quite often. In smaller organizations, you may have a team doing all three simultaneously! Nevertheless, any DevRel team should be focused on keeping developers engaged in your product throughout its lifecycle. While many companies have developer relations teams, many companies also do not do so intentionally. Some DevRel focused team members may have started out as developers, community managers, or even customer success managers who did outreach to developers on their own initiative. The DevRel role has also been known as Developer Outreach or Developer Marketing; some companies use these terms interchangeably with DevRel. Regardless of what name you choose for this function at your company (or if you choose none), remember that the job is fundamentally about relationships: engaging with people who are interested in your technology through communication channels such as events, blogs/forums/discord/slack/social media accounts, github, etc. When should you start building a devrel team? You should start building a developer relations team when you have a product or platform that is ready to launch and you have a clear strategy for how to launch the product. You should also be able to answer the following questions: - Who is your target audience? - What does your product do? - How does your product work? - What goals are you trying to achieve? If you don’t have a clear answer to these questions, then you need to figure out the answers before you start building a developer relations team. A DevRel person can help you refine how a customer learns about your product, where they can learn more about it (building out developer onboarding experiences), and help you refine the strategy to create a more cohesive developer experience for increased stickiness and adoption. How do you measure success and report on devrel? You can create metrics to measure the success of your devrel program, but you should also keep in mind that it's important not to get too hung up on numbers. When you're tracking impact, it's easy to obsess over data; however, there are other important factors that need to be considered as well. For example, if your developer relations team has been working hard for months and has acquired only a few new customers, that is still worth celebrating because it takes time to build community! You cannot force community and community adoption. It is something that grows with time. When starting, and throughout your devrel program, you want to measure the success of your devrel efforts by looking at more top of the funnel metrics like how many people are visiting or downloading your public-facing content, your social media profiles, and communities. How much value are they getting from your content? Focus on providing value, because consequently, if developers find your content and product/ platform valuable, they will share those links. You should also do competitor research and general industry research in your specific niche and create a baseline! How often are product updates being shared by influencers? How are other products getting developer adoption? These metrics will help give you an idea of what works best for your particular industry. The key is experimenting with different ways of gathering data until something sticks! Conclusion At the end of the day, developer relations is a complex field that can be difficult to understand. But, it’s also not rocket science. It requires an understanding of the market, best practices, and most importantly, authenticity. Luckily, there are many resources out there to help you learn more about it! If you’re interested in learning more about devrel and how it can benefit your company as well as your customers, take a look at some of our favorite articles: - Defining a career path for Developer Relations by Bear Douglas, Developer Advocacy Lead at Slack - What Is Developer Relations? by Justin Warren for Forbes - What is developer relations? Understanding the 'glue' that keeps software and coders together by Owen Hughes for ZDnet - What is Developer Relations by Sam Julien - What is Developer Relations? by Kim Maida We also help with this at This Dot! If you’re interested in learning more about our developer relations program, send us an email anytime! tracy@thisdot.co or sarah@thisdot.co!...

Being a CTO at Any Level: A Discussion with Kathy Keating, Co-Founder of CTO Levels cover image

Being a CTO at Any Level: A Discussion with Kathy Keating, Co-Founder of CTO Levels

In this episode of the engineering leadership series, Kathy Keating, co-founder of CTO Levels and CTO Advisor, shares her insights on the role of a CTO and the challenges they face. She begins by discussing her own journey as a technologist and her experience in technology leadership roles, including founding companies and having a recent exit. According to Kathy, the primary responsibility of a CTO is to deliver the technology that aligns with the company's business needs. However, she highlights a concerning statistic that 50% of CTOs have a tenure of less than two years, often due to a lack of understanding and mismatched expectations. She emphasizes the importance of building trust quickly in order to succeed in this role. One of the main challenges CTOs face is transitioning from being a technologist to a leader. Kathy stresses the significance of developing effective communication habits to bridge this gap. She suggests that CTOs create a playbook of best practices to enhance their communication skills and join communities of other CTOs to learn from their experiences. Matching the right CTO to the stage of a company is another crucial aspect discussed in the episode. Kathy explains that different stages of a company require different types of CTOs, and it is essential to find the right fit. To navigate these challenges, Kathy advises CTOs to build a support system of advisors and coaches who can provide guidance and help them overcome obstacles. Additionally, she encourages CTOs to be aware of their own preferences and strengths, as self-awareness can greatly contribute to their success. In conclusion, this podcast episode sheds light on the technical aspects of being a CTO and the challenges they face. Kathy Keating's insights provide valuable guidance for CTOs to build trust, develop effective communication habits, match their skills to the company's stage, and create a support system for their professional growth. By understanding these key technical aspects, CTOs can enhance their leadership skills and contribute to the success of their organizations....