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Optimizing Developer Experience: Component Playground Integration in Software Development

Authors
  • Engberg, Tilda
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2024
Source
DiVA - Academic Archive On-line
Keywords
Language
English
License
Green
External links

Abstract

The component-driven approach in software development has become a favored approach when developing web applications. Developing and maintaining components are central when using the component-driven approach and it has a lot of advantages. On the other hand, developing and maintaining the components within an Integrated Development Environment can be challenging due to the lack of a visual overview of the components in extensive projects. A component playground could address this issue through its features such as implementing components in isolation that could make the development more efficient and productive in different areas. With that said, it can improve the Developer Experience which is also an understudied area.  This project aims to investigate how a component playground affects the Developer Experience focusing on component creation, development workflow, and overview of the component library. Furthermore, how the integration of a component playground in the Software Development Life Cycle affects the Developer Experience. The chosen methodology was primarily user tests of an implemented web application with the component playground Storybook integrated into it. Besides the user tests, a literature review and interviews were made to support the results of the user tests. The data from the user test were used to answer the research question and the four hypotheses of this project. The results from the user test showed that the overall Developer Experience and the overview of the component library were improved using a component playground, especially for less experienced developers. It also showed a strong indication of improved component creation and more efficient development workflow.  To conclude the Developer Experience is improved by using a component playground. However, it is important to analyze each project and developer's needs. Future research could explore a component playground's long-term effects in real projects. Furthermore, there is a lack of how to measure Developer Experience which could also be investigated.

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