Don't use backbone.js... yet

http://skyhighcode.blogspot.com/2012/06/dont-use-backbonejs-yet.html

by th3byrdm4n • 14 years ago

13 6 14 years ago

skyhighcode.blogspot.com

jeffehobbs• 14 years ago

This isn't "yet" as much as "at all". They're all tools, use the best one(s) for the job.

I agree with the premise of learning the fundamentals. However, the fact that jQuery has "free" support for features like data binding is not enough justification to forgoe using a framework like backbonejs or emberjs. What about routing? In a large client-centric app, I'd argue that routing is as important as data binding.

There's no question that understanding the mechanics behind these frameworks will yield much better apps, even if you skip out and go barebones jQuery. But there's always going to be a tradeoff between writing all the boilerplate and structure yourself, rather than relying on a framework to lessen the burden. With emberjs, you get immensely reduced boilerplate and some pretty sound opinions on structure. If you want to exchange writing more code for less of an opinion and more flexibility, then go with backbonejs.

Each of these frameworks bring key strengths to the table, having been written by amazing devs (like Yehuda Katz) with the additional benefit of "community consensus" to boost their usefulness. The article makes valid points, but keep in mind there's definitely more to this story.

tbranyen• 14 years ago

This doesn't look like a whole lotta free. This is also not achieving all that Backbone gives you. Interesting slides though, can't wait to see the talk video.

lukifer• 14 years ago

The slides are interesting, I definitely learned some things. The only item I wasn't clear on is how $.Callbacks fits in.

But these techniques are hardly as clean or powerful as Backbone or Angular. In fact, rather than using vanilla jQuery, he seems to be rolling his own minimal data-binding library. (I'm tempted to package up his code into a jQuery plugin.)

Looking forward to seeing the actual talk.

megaman821• 14 years ago

Please do. This looks pretty nice for a simple data bind scenario.

tjholowaychuk• 14 years ago

I don't always write trivial frameworks, but when I do I have a conference about it. Blows my mind, enterprisejs ftw

Don't use backbone.js... yet

Related Stories