Many web applications evolve over time. What was once the bootstrapped MVP of an early stage company grows to accommodate an ever-increasing number of use cases and business needs. This often results in the company’s application or platform employing a combination of disparate user interface (UI) frameworks like Bootstrap, jQuery, Angular or React.
Supporting multiple UI frameworks can inhibit an application’s maintainability and often leads to exposure to vulnerabilities in out-of-date frameworks. Inconsistent UI elements can also negatively impact the user experience.
When the Crosslake team discovers multiple UI frameworks in practice, we often recommend standardization to one framework for three key reasons:
- It is significantly easier and less expensive to maintain one framework than multiple that frameworks evolve over time.
- The company’s attack surface is reduced due to less exposure to different technologies.
- It is easier to find and maintain staff with the skills to support one platform, rather than many.
This is often a process that requires time and investment. However, UI standardization establishes a path toward long term supportability, maintainability and scalability of the company’s platform.
