Decision to use React.js and Material UI¶

Status: Accepted
Deciders: Bryce Curtis, Aaron Reed, Evan Countouris, Dan Gisolfi
Date: 2023-02-03

Context and Problem Statement¶

There are several component libraries that can be used to write a web application. The initial limited-function POC was written as a single page app using jQuery. Since a complete redesign of the app was needed to turn it into an MVP, several Javascript frameworks and component libraries were considered.

Decision Drivers¶

Component-based architecture
Open source
Community support
Usage in Discover

Considered Options¶

jQuery
React.js with Material UI
Angular

Decision Outcome¶

Chosen option: "React.js", because it is a component-based architecture, it supports typescript, it is open source with a large and active community, and it is widely used in Discover.

Chosen option: "Material UI". Once React.js was chosen, the next decision was which component library to use. The overriding factor for choosing Material UI was because it is widely used by Discover. It also supports typescript, and it is open source with a large and active community.

Note: The relevance of each of these technologies to Discover was an important consideration because the initial code was written by Discover, who had great trust and high regard for these technologies as well as much experience developing in such an environment.