When it comes to web development, an important question arises: should we build a project from scratch using webpack or take advantage of installable boilerplates such as create-react-app to get the job done faster? What are the pros and cons of each approach? And when does it make sense to use one over the other? These are some of the questions this article aims to answer.
The main problem with using webpack to start a project from scratch is the high complexity of initial configuration. Despite its popularity and ubiquity, webpack’s API and configuration are often difficult to master. This makes it difficult for beginners to quickly pick up and start developing with. Furthermore, there is a lack of standard boilerplates or templates that a developer can use to quickly start a web project without requiring extended setup time.
In this article, you will learn why create-react-app is a sensible choice for setting up a project quickly and efficiently. We will discuss the benefits of create-react-app over webpack such as the simplicity of configuration, the extensive internalizing of the frontend builder tools in the CLI, and the fact that new projects are up and running with just one command. We will also go over the downside of using create-react-app as a project starting point, such as the limited ability to add custom webpack configuration and the lack of ability to upgrade to new versions of React without losing any project-specific configurations. Finally, we will discuss when it makes sense to use each approach and what strategies should be employed to ensure a successful project.
Defininitions:
Table of Contents
Webpack: Webpack is a JavaScript module bundler that takes your JavaScript and other assets and translates them into a format suitable for the browser. In a nutshell, it builds the assets you’re using in your app, from source code to optimized production bundles. It’s more efficient than manually navigating all the resources in your project folder structure.
Create-React-App: Create React App is a standard build configuration for React applications that allows developers to easily set up an optimal environment for their React projects. It simplifies the setup necessary for a React project, making it easier to get up and running quickly.
Starting from scratch: Starting from scratch means creating a project from the ground up without any frameworks or templates. This involves manually configuring Webpack, Babel, the NPM packages, the project structure, and many other aspects of the development setup before beginning the actual development work. This could be suitable for advanced JavaScript application development since the custom setup would give the developer complete control over the project configuration.
Non technical readers: Non technical readers are people who lack training in coding or other aspects of software engineering. To make content usable by non technical readers, it is important to define technical terms in plain language, and explain concepts in accessible terms.
Starting a Webpack Project from Scratch
Starting a Webpack Project from Scratch
Webpack is a powerful module bundler used to create production-level applications and libraries. It can bundle and transform various types of resources into static assets that are ready for use in the web browser. Starting a Webpack project from scratch can be a bit confusing for first time users, as it requires configuration of various files and settings.
Prerequisites
Before beginning a Webpack project from scratch it is important to make sure you have the necessary prerequisites installed:
- Node.js and npm
- Webpack CLI
- A text editor (VSCode is recommended)
Once all of the prerequisites are installed and configured, the next step is to create the project structure. The most basic directory structure consists of the src (source) and dist (distribution) directories, as well as the webpack.config.js file.
Adding Dependencies
The next step is to add the dependencies necessary to your project. These dependencies include loaders, libraries, plugins, and other tools that will be used throughout the development process. These can be added via the npm or yarn package managers.
Writing the Webpack Configuration File
The final step in starting a Webpack project from scratch is writing the webpack configuration file. This file is used to set up the Webpack environment and define the entry and output points, as well as specify the loaders, plugins, and other options. Once the configuration file is written, the project is complete and ready to be tested.
In conclusion, starting a Webpack project from scratch can be a daunting task, but with the right prerequisites and configuration, it can be properly set up in no time. By following the steps outlined above, Webpack can be used to quickly create production-level applications and libraries.
Using Create-React-App for a Webpack Project
Webpack is a powerful tool that can be used to compile and bundle Javascript into a single file, making it a fantastic choice for large and complex projects. While webpack is powerful, it can be intimidating to set up from scratch, especially for beginners. This is why many developers have turned towards using Create-React-App to set up their webpack projects, allowing them to benefit from its features without having to configure everything themselves.
Benefits of Create- React-App
Create-React-App is an open-source repository that helps developers quickly get up and running with a React application regardless of prior webpack or React knowledge. Using Create-React-App handles webpack configs for developers so they can get on setting up actual application code. This means developers can skip writing out their own webpack configurations and just get to the coding right away. Create-React-App also helps with development environment setup and build scripts.
Advantages of Using Webpack
Using webpack also comes with its own set of advantages. It allows developers to split up the source code into separate blocks that can then be combined into a single file, decreasing the loading time of the file. It also provides both development and production modes which keeps development process clean and fast. Lastly, it can support any type of language, making it easy for developers to switch between different frameworks without any hassle.
In conclusion, using Create-React-App for setting up webpack projects can be beneficial for developers of all skill levels as it removes the need for manual webpack setup and helps with initial development environment setup and build scripts. On the other hand, webpack is great as it provides various advantages such as building, loading, and deploying code quickly. Therefore, developers have to take their own preferences into consideration while choosing whether to use Create-React-App or Webpack for their project.
Comparing Webpack Creation Strategies
One way to create a webpack project is from scratch. This requires that users know how to write the code that will establish the infrastructure of a webpack-compliant project. Writing code from scratch allows for greater customization options and can be adapted to fit the specific needs and preferences of the user. However, the process is highly technical and can be time consuming and complex.
Another option is to use Create-React-App, a tool developed by the Facebook team for creating ReactJS projects. This process is much more streamlined and requires little to no knowledge of coding and webpack configuration. Create-React-App is extremely user-friendly and allows for the quick and easy set up of a ReactJS project without the need to delve into the nitty-gritty details of project construction.
Advantages Of Webpack From Scratch
Building webpack from scratch allows for a much greater degree of control and customization. This is especially useful for those with a need for specific features. The code written for webpack from scratch is often much more lightweight than using Create-React-App, which can be an advantage if you are looking to optimize performance. The code written from scratch can also be open sourced, potentially allowing others to build off it.
Advantages Of Create-React-App
The main advantages of using Create-React-App are the streamlined setup and the user friendly environment it provides. As mentioned above, Create-React-App requires no coding experience and creates a ReactJS based application in a fraction of the time that it would take to create from scratch. The front-end of the application is provided, as well as a default folder structure which makes navigation easy for the user, allowing them to focus more on the content of the application.
Conclusion
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At the end of the day, what is the best way to get started with webpack? It depends on your project needs, the level of complexity, and how much time you have to dedicate to set up and configure. Those starting from scratch have more control, but may find the experience more daunting. While using create-react-app simplifies the setup process, you may encounter issues with configuring certain aspects of the application.
If you’d like to learn more on the topic of webpack, be sure to follow our blog closely. Upcoming releases are sure to address this and many other permutations of webpack processes.
To help answer some of your pressing questions, here are some frequently asked questions and answers below.
What is the best way to get started with webpack? It depends on the complexity and timeframe of the project, as well as control requirements. Starting from scratch typically offers more flexibility, while create-react-app can help simplify the setup.
Can webpack be used with other build systems? Yes, webpack is completely modular and configurable. To use it with other build systems, the corresponding webpack config can be loaded into the system.
Does learning webpack take a lot of time? It depends on the individual. Those with prior knowledge of configuration or build systems may pick up on webpack more quickly. The official documentation is comprehensive and a great resource for anyone looking to learn webpack.
Are webpack plugins available? Yes, webpack supports a wide variety of plugins and loaders. These plugins and loaders can be used for tasks such as minification, compiling Sass to CSS, or transpiling code into different versions.
Should I use webpack for every project? Not necessarily. Each project should be assessed for its needs, and webpack should only be used if it is the best solution for the job. Other solutions might be more appropriate, depending on the specific requirements of the project.