17 May 2021

The React framework advantage

We’re big fans of React at Catch. But just what is React, and how do we use it?

React is a JavaScript library used in web development to build interactive elements on the web. The main advantage for end users is the fast interactivity they’re provided with, as there should be very little reload time when new data is presented on their screen. This, in turn, leads to a more positive user experience.

The React advantage for End Users

As you probably know, we’re Drupal experts. Whilst Drupal is an excellent CMS for general website usage, there comes a time when users want a bit more which is when we reach for React to build a ‘web app’ to sit on a page.

Think of Google Maps, for example. What a pain it would be if there was a noticeable page refresh (such as clicking on a link and waiting for the page to reload) each time you zoomed in or out or panned across the map. React helps eliminate this friction, allowing elements to quickly load on a page as the user interacts with them.

React makes it painless to create interactive UIs. Design simple views for each state in your application, and React will efficiently update and render just the right components when your data changes.

ReactJS.org

The React advantage for Developers

React is a JavaScript library that at a fundamental level is used to build many components each with their own independent ‘state’ that tells the component what to do. If you think of a button on a website as a component, the state might include the colour, the text (e.g. ‘Click Here’) and the URL (e.g. ‘https://www.catchdigital.com’). As you build out your React project with components, it allows you to avoid the time-intensive process of coding and testing over and over meaning you can build new features and scale your application.

Developers can reuse the button all over the web app and update the ‘state’ of each of these using ‘props’. The advantage to this is that every button on the site will look and behave in the same way. Of course, components will be much more complicated than just a button, and can do more than just take a user from one page to another.

Below are some helpful definitions to understand the terminology used when discussing React.

State - The current data that is within the component, any time this is updated and the state changes, a re-render will take place
Props - This is how information or data is passed from one component into another. For example if we reuse the button analogy where have colour, text and url managed in the state of the button, we could also have disabled as a state. If the button component is associated with a contact form, we could set the disabled state of the button to be true until all of the fields of the form are completed and then update the state of the button component using props

Developers are able to reuse tested code and know that it will stand up to stress.

The React advantage for our clients

We now know that React is a data driven tool, and allowing our clients to manage the content for a data driven API means we can treat Drupal as a headless CMS for the output of JSON in an API format. New content can be created in the same way new pages can be created. The same goes for content within each page, reducing what could be a time intensive process to update their site (or multiple sites from one data source).

Some examples of our use of React

From quickly adapting to what the user is looking for on the TV Guide on our Freeview web platform:

To helping students filter and book available accommodation in London via IQ Student Accommodation:

To helping global telecommunication company SES provide users with the ability to search for satellite footprint information using their “Our Coverage” tool within their existing Drupal solution:

Or providing the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) Members with a quick and easy way to view Adspend data in a graph that instantly updates as you change dates and add filters:

Catch is experienced in offering our clients effective solutions that take advantages of all the benefits of React.

If you're ready to start your journey and see how we can help you improve your connection with your audience through smart technology like React, don't hesitate to get in touch.

09 Feb 2015

Just launched: Cineworld Movie Planner

Ahead of what is set to be a year of unmissable film, Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema chain, has launched its first-ever Calendar Film Planner - built by Catch! Cinema- goers can download the unmissable films of 2015 straight into their personal calendar, ensuring they never miss a film at the cinema again.

The calendar has been designed to let people know when films are released at the cinema – and serves as a reminder to let them know there is no better way than to watch a film than on the big screen at Cineworld. And with such a stellar line-up of film in place for 2015, it’s a must-have tool for this year.

Furthermore, it can be used on any smartphone, desktop and tablet device across Apple, Android and Windows – and users can synchronise the calendar to their individual iCal, Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook account calendars. Sign-up is completed in four simple steps, with users either subscribing to the calendar via a feed on the Cineworld website or through the Cineworld Facebook page.

And to ensure cinema-goers are only reminded about the films they want to see, users are given the option to select as many or as few films genres as they like. There are up to 12 genres which can be selected; Action, Family, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror, Drama, Art-house, Musical, Bollywood, Documentary and Event Cinema. There is also the option to de-select certain films from ticked genres, should an individual only want to be reminded about certain titles.

When a film is released at a Cineworld cinema, users will receive a calendar alert or Facebook notification (if they have chosen the option to RSVP via Facebook) to let them know about the release along with the option to book tickets at cineworld.com.