Server-side validation is a must, but client-side validation is also crucial: when a user attempts to submit a form, providing instant feedback and highlighting the fields with invalid data can be an invaluable guide to help them get things done. There are many ways to handle front-end validation, from adding standard HTML attributes to our inputs (like required and min) to writing our own validation functions. Today, let's explore Zod: a library that can help us validate data not only on the client but also on the server, and even generate TypeScript types to maintain end-to-end type safety a ..read more

When a team works on a project, keeping the codebase up to coding standards might be challenging. Perhaps a team member submits code that deviates from the established coding style, or you make a commit fixing a component but unintentionally breaking another. What can we do to mitigate these risks? We can leverage several command-line tools to safeguard the quality of the codebase even before changes are merged into the repository: Formatters automatically correct the coding style, ensuring consistency across the entire codebase. Linters analyze the code to detect and fix issues, enforce best ..read more

They say there are two difficult things in programming: naming things and cache invalidation. I would add one more to the list: state management in modern web applications! Today, we'll delve into state management strategies in Vue and introduce Pinia, the intuitive store. Vue state management: gotchas and limitations Since the days of Vue 2, we have used the data option to define a method that returns an object containing all the reactive variables our component needs. <template> <div>{{ user.name }}</div> <template>   <script> export default ..read more

Are you searching for a way to enhance the speed of your Vue application development? Let me introduce you to Nuxt, a framework for constructing Vue applications. Initially envisioned as a counterpart to Next.js within the realm of React (hence the similarity in names), Nuxt has evolved to such an extent that it now stands out for its distinctive merits and an impressive array of features. What are these features? Why should you choose Nuxt for your project instead of simply creating a Vue application? Today, I'll answer these questions by exploring some (just some!) of the powerful tools this ..read more

I think of caching as one of those double-edged swords in PHP application development. On one hand, caching strategies can offer considerable gains in performance. On the other hand, those gains may be at the cost of increased complexity within the codebase or infrastructure. Plus, there is always the threat that caching is providing out-of-date data. When we think about the risk versus reward when it comes to caching, I recommend making considerate choices to ensure a successful payoff. The right caching choices have everything to do with your infrastructure, your skill set, and what your app ..read more

As you search for a development partner to bring your company’s application to life, it’s important to evaluate not just a potential partner’s ability to code, but their ability to run and deliver projects. You already know you need expert support in the actual coding of your app–that’s why you’re reaching out to a development partner. But in the face of challenges like aggressive deadlines, stakeholder expectations, and pressure from investors, you also need a partner who knows how to structure a project and run a development team in a way that delivers results. There are a many ways to organ ..read more

At certain points in the evolution of any software, it’s important to get a set of expert eyes on its codebase. Maybe you’re a founder and you built this app as you were learning to code, and you’ve always known you’d want experts to review your decisions. Maybe you’re concerned with the code you inherited from a previous team or offshore contractors. Or maybe you have an active development team, and you’re reading this thinking, “I’ve got a team of experts; why can’t they just audit their own work?” Why Should You Conduct a Code Audit? Regardless of your current situation, there are many reas ..read more

At Tighten, we write custom web applications. And, like all software, they sometimes have bugs, glitches, and unexpected behavior. Programmers, technical leads, and project managers always test our applications by hand as we write them. Write a feature, try the feature out in the browser, make sure it works the way we want. Usually our clients do too—if you’re paying to have software built for you, you’ll usually test how it works when it’s delivered. But this manual testing only covers a small portion of the things that need to be tested in our web apps. And if we don’t have full coverage, th ..read more

Most software projects fail. There are plenty of reasons (excuses?) as to why this is the case. The most common predictor of failure in software projects is a lack of alignment between the development team’s efforts and the purpose of the project. This is where a project purpose statement comes in. It’s not enough for your team to know the general idea of the project, or the laundry-list of expected features. Your software project needs a clear, succinct statement to direct everyone’s effort. A good project purpose statement is a concise, repeatable mantra that states the ultimate reason your ..read more

The hardest part of building a web app for your nonprofit organization can be the first step: figuring out who is going to build it. There are a few routes you can take: build out your own robust team of developers (expensive), hire a variety of contractors to augment your staff (risky), or engage an agency to get it done (we’re biased, but we think this is the best option). Finding the right agency isn’t as cut-and-dried as finding someone available that meets your budget. Those are two extremely important factors, but there are many more to consider. In our guide on how to search for and fin ..read more