Examples, benefits, & when to use UI Components
When building a website, it’s important to choose the right structure for your content. In this article, we will discuss the differences between UI components, jQuery widgets, and static layout blocks, as well as when to use each type.
Static Layout Blocks
Examples of static layout blocks are the logo, navigation, hero images, and other simple content blocks on a homepage. There is nothing really complex or interesting happening with the content displayed in these blocks. They are used for basic static content that doesn’t need any advanced functionality.
jQuery Widgets
When a bit more dynamic functionality is needed, but still not too advanced, jQuery widgets can be used. A great example of this is an image carousel on a product detail page, where users can click on thumbnails to view larger images of the product, pan over with arrows, zoom in and out, and close the modal. This is a more dynamic feature compared to static layout blocks, but it doesn’t require complex logic or state management. jQuery widgets usually use an implementation of a jQuery UI component.
UI Components
When advanced presentation logic, complex calculations, or communication with other components on the page is required, a UI component should be used. A great example of a UI component is a mini cart, which allows users to view their cart contents, update quantities, and remove items dynamically, all without reloading the page.
UI components are the best choice when any advanced logic is needed because they are easier to extend and add new features to. They are also able to communicate with each other based on Magento’s implementation of these UI components.
Takeaway
To recap, standard layout blocks are used for basic static content, jQuery widgets are used when implementing a jQuery UI component with slightly more dynamic functionality, and UI components are used for complex logic, advanced presentation, and communication with other components on the page. Understanding the differences between these structures will help you make the right choice for your website’s content and functionality.