Extjs Tutorial For Beginners: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Earlier

December 9, 2021 4250 Views

This tutorial gives ten important lessons to new developers of ExtJS JavaScript. Get to know how to create large web applications quickly, how to remove the mistakes most people make, and how to learn faster. This is on the part of developers and teams that update business solutions with Sencha ExtJS and other front end JavaScript frameworks.

Building large-scale applications is not easy. Not every JavaScript framework can handle the job. Ext JS, Extensible JavaScript, is one of the leading JavaScript frameworks for enterprise apps. It powers both web and mobile solutions at scale. Unlike basic UI libraries, it offers 140+ ready-to-use components. It also provides strong data handling and developer productivity tools. Global enterprises trust it for mission-critical apps. Banks, insurance firms, and logistics companies use it daily. They choose Ext JS because it reduces risk and speeds up delivery.

JavaScript developers, frontend engineers, solution architects, and enterprise IT teams will find this guide useful. Some may be modernizing old systems. Others may be building fresh prototypes. Knowledge of Ext JS, Extensible JavaScript, is good because it saves time and prevents setbacks.

By the end, you will discover ten lessons that make the journey smoother. You will see how to avoid common mistakes. You will also significantly shorten the learning period and assist your team in adopting Ext JS faster, avoiding weeks of trial and error.

Why You Should Know JavaScript And OOP Before Ext JS

Learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript first. It also needs a good knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). It lets you make code neat, make it reusable, and complex interfaces are easily built in any Java web application framework or JavaScript web app framework.

Ext JS is based on the basics of HTML(HyperText Markup Language), CSS, and JavaScript. So, it is a must for you to have a solid grasp of them before using ExtJS.

If you have knowledge of HTML and CSS, then you can make complex interfaces easily. For example, if you have prior understanding of CSS(Cascading Style Sheets) layouts and JavaScript events, then it is simpler to create a custom grid or form.

Knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP) has its own importance. Ext JS, Extensible JavaScript, uses classes, which are blueprints for components. You can extend classes to make new ones. It is the process of inheritance. Some code is kept private.

You only use the parts you need. This is called encapsulation. Ext JS utilizes them for organizing code, reusing it, and maintaining it easily. Using OOP improves code reuse and maintainability. Imagine a dashboard with multiple widgets. Proper class design lets you reuse a widget across pages without rewriting code.

Developers from C, C++, or Java backgrounds will find similarities. Ext JS uses class-based components and method overriding. Understanding JavaScript prototypes and constructors makes the framework easier to master.

Recommended Learning Resources Before Diving Into Ext JS

Before you get into JavaScript ExtJS, the suggested learning resources are as follows:
For the first step, check out trusted MDN and JavaScript.info. Next, read books such as Learning JavaScript Design Patterns, and take online courses. With these basics, you will save time and write cleaner code for both React JS application development and web application Java frameworks.

You must begin with the Mozilla Developer Network (MDN). This gives you a great learning experience in HTML(HyperText Markup Language), CSS, and core JavaScript. You get clear guidance here which are easy to follow.

Next, you must go to JavaScript.info. You will get deep coverage of modern JavaScript in it. OOP concepts also get cleared in simple terms here.

Books can help too. “Learning JavaScript Design Patterns” by Addy Osmani is at the top on the recommendation. This tells you how to structure code for reuse and maintainability.

Consider some online courses as well. Platforms like Udemy and Pluralsight offer beginner-friendly JavaScript OOP courses. You get to practice your learnings on these platforms.

You can save your time if you have the right basics before starting with ExtJS JavaScript. You will write cleaner code and avoid common mistakes. You will get ready to build enterprise-friendly apps faster.

Why Sencha Cmd Is Essential For Ext JS Projects

You need Sencha Cmd to work with your projects. It makes project building, setup and release the same across the team. This tool will save you a lot of time, and can be used with CI/CD pipelines to get up and running quickly in any web application development framework.

To work with ExtJS JavaScript, you need Sencha Cmd. It sets up projects automatically. It also builds the app, and it handles deployment. There is no need to create folders and files manually. For example, a new dashboard app gets generated by just one command.

Sencha Cmd keeps teams consistent. Everyone follows the same build process and folder structure. This is vital in enterprise projects. It reduces errors and improves collaboration.

Another huge benefit is automation. Sencha Cmd is good to go with CI/CD pipelines. You just have to push code and get production-ready builds automatically. This is time-saving and it also prevents mistakes.

Best Practices For Setting Up Your Development Environment

Start with a clean setup. Working with the latest Sencha Cmd and a version control system such as Git. Arrange your project folders in order. Lastly, keep notes of your setup that will help new members of your team to have an easy time joining in when building React web applications or working with a Java web application framework.

You should begin with the latest Sencha Cmd.
Match it with the correct version of Ext JS.
Utilize Git or some other version control system.
Folders must have an organized position for components, themes, and apps.
It is advised to test builds locally before producing.
It is always a wise choice to set up scripts for tasks like code checks and minification.
Document your environment for new team members. ExtJS JavaScript projects can be easier to maintain and scale with a clean setup.

How To Speed Up Ext JS Development With Sencha Architect

Sencha Architect is used to speed up development. Its drag-and-drop model lets you build UIs fast and produces better code. This is because you do not have to worry about repeated UI setup when you can focus on app logic, similar to React web application development and other popular web application frameworks.

Sencha Architect can speed up ExtJS JavaScript development. It has a drag-and-drop interface for UIs. You can place grids, forms, buttons, and charts quickly. For example, building a complex admin dashboard takes fewer hours than hand-coding.

The tool generates optimized code. Architect produce consistent and clean output because of which apps run faster with the ability to handle many components. Teams focus on logic and features, not on repetitive setup.

Errors are also reduced, and manual coding often breaks layouts or functionality. Architect enforces the correct component structure. Connecting a data store to a grid works automatically, which avoids runtime issues.

When To Use an Architect Vs. Hand-Coding

Quick testing and simple UI work with Sencha Architect. Complex logic can be more easily handled by hand-coding. A mix of both is used by many teams to ensure a fast process that is also flexible in any best web application framework or fastest web application framework project.

“Architect” is frequently seen for rapid prototyping and standard UI tasks, and it suits dashboards, forms, and CRUD interfaces. Hand-coding is a better option if you want full control in fine-tuning every aspect of the app. Many teams also combine both approaches. Architect is used to handle the layout, while hand-coding serves to handle complex logic. ExtJS JavaScript projects remain fast and maintainable this way.

Understanding The MVC Design Pattern In Ext JS

The MVC pattern splits an application into three parts: Model, View, and Controller. This setup uses a structure of code to make upkeep of large applications simple. Individual teams are able to work on different parts separately when working with web application testing frameworks or JavaScript ExtJS.

MVC stands for Model-View-Controller. It splits ExtJS JavaScript apps into three parts. The Model handles the data. The View is responsible for the UI, and the Controller looks after the logic and actions of the user.

This structure is helpful in keeping the code organized. So, the larger apps benefit the most from it. There can be separate teams to work on Models, Views, and Controllers. For example, a finance dashboard can have different controllers for transactions, accounts, and reports.

Practical Example – Organizing UI, Data, And Controller Code

Take an example of a dashboard app that has a grid displaying data of users. In this case, the Model explains the user fields. The View will show the grid. The Controller will handle actions such as sorting or filtering of data. By separately managing this, the app maintenance becomes easier, and bugs are also reduced.

Where And When To Use The MVVM Design Pattern

Hard and changing UI is best handled with MVVM. It uses data binding so that the UI and data can be updated automatically, avoiding the need for manual code and reducing the chance of mistakes. This would best suit real-time dashboards built in React JS application development or any best framework for web application development.

MVVM stands for Model-View-ViewModel. It has a different mechanism of working compared to Model-View-Controller. In ExtJS JavaScript, the ViewModel puts restrictions on data to the View model automatically. UI changes are responsible for bringing updates to the data. Viceverca, data changes are responsible for bringing updates to the UI.

MVVM is great for complex UIs. For example, a live analytics dashboard updates charts as data changes. This cuts down manual coding and also reduces errors. Developers have to spend less time syncing the data and UI.

Choosing Between MVC And MVVM In Real-World Projects

When there is a clear separation of UI and logic, it is better to use MVC for apps. MVVM is more suitable for dynamic apps with data binding. There are many enterprise teams that prefer to use both. As an example, it can be said that main modules are handled by MVC, and MVVM gives power to interactive dashboards. Picking the right pattern keeps ExtJS JavaScript projects scalable and easy to maintain.

Why You Should Implement Routing Early

Add routing early on in your project. It is responsible for app state and navigation, and it improves the user experience. Leaving it out will force you to rewrite big sections of your app in the future, which is a common issue in many popular web application frameworks.

Routing is critical in ExtJS JavaScript apps because it is responsible for controlling the navigation and managing the status. Having no routing is a loss for the users because they lose context when moving between views. Take an example of a CRM app, in which routing keeps you on “Customer Details” even after a refresh instead of going back to the dashboard.

Another beneficial aspect is deep linking. Routing helps in creating URLs that are clean and user-friendly. A link like” /orders/123” opens the view of the order details directly. Enterprise users depend on this because it is their routine to bookmark pages and share links with colleagues.

Delaying routing causes problems. Adding it later means refactoring large parts of the app. This increases cost and risk. Take an example of an HR system that has no route to “Leave Requests.” If you fix it late, then it will be expensive and slow.

Tips For Planning Routes In Enterprise Applications

Begin with the mapping of the main modules and assign clear URLs to each one.
It is a must to have parameters in detail pages, such as /employee/:id.
To preserve the state, navigation must be tested early.
Routes should be in alignment with real workflows. This way, the app feels natural to the users. Good routing makes ExtJS JavaScript projects scalable and user-friendly.

Can Ext.getCmp Method be Overused?

Do not use too much Ext.getCmp method. It may cause bugs and make it hard to debug. Instead, use object-oriented patterns and pass component references via settings in a cleaner code approach for both React web applications and web application development frameworks like Sencha ExtJS.

Ext.getCmp looks for components by ID. It works better in small apps. Issues appear in large ExtJS JavaScript projects because of it. Another problem is duplicate IDs, which create bugs and confusion.

Scaling with getCmp is risky.Let’s take a banking app that has many forms and grids. In this case, only a single duplicate ID breaks the flow, and debugging will require more time.

What Are Better Alternatives Using OOP And Component References

Patterns should be object-oriented, and references should be passed through configs.
Use lookupReference for cleaner code.
A sales dashboard can pass chart references directly, avoiding getCmp.

Where To Find Help: Ext JS Documentation First

Never look beyond the official Sencha documentation. It is the sure guide and example book. Do not go and waste time with any random forums where there will be old information or information that is not right.

Look into the Sencha docs first because it is the most reliable source for ExtJS JavaScript. They cover APIs, guides, and working examples.

Answers can be old or wrong in random forums, so don’t waste time there. In enterprise apps, wrong info can delay releases. Docs should always be step one.

Must-Read Guides, API References, And Examples

You should check the API reference for classes and read architecture guides for patterns. Use live examples to see best practices. These save hours of trial and error.

Why Overnesting Components And Functions Hurts Performance

Too much nesting of parts and functions is bad performance. It makes it costly to render and hard to debug. A cleaner structure, with shorter functions, to give quicker and more effective applications.

Too many nested panels slow apps. Each level adds rendering cost. In ExtJS JavaScript, this means laggy dashboards and slow loading. Deeply nested functions also hurt. They are harder to debug. A logistics app with nested grids may freeze. Cleaner structures run faster.

Coding Standards For Scalable Ext JS Projects

Using class inheritance avoids repeated code. Extend base classes for grids, forms, or charts. This reduces duplication and keeps code clean.

Keep functions short. One function should be limited to one thing only. Break large logic into smaller reusable methods. This makes testing easier.

Naming the conventions is advisable. Classes, variables, and methods must use clear and consistent names. A finance app with 20+ modules becomes easier to maintain this way.

Use Sencha Inspector for debugging. It shows component trees and performance issues. Fixing bottlenecks early prevents slow enterprise apps.

Adopt team-wide coding guidelines. Share best practices in documentation. Consistency makes onboarding new developers faster.

How To Build Custom Themes In Ext JS

Build your own themes with Sencha Themer. This gives a single brand and UI in all your applications. A steady look makes the website easy to use and gives trust.

Default themes are quick. But enterprise apps need custom branding. ExtJS JavaScript themes give consistency across apps.

Sencha Themer makes styling easy. It avoids messy CSS(Cascading Style Sheets) overrides. A hospital portal can match brand colors with little effort.

Themes also work with ExtAngular and ExtReact. Teams can deliver the same look everywhere. That means better UX across platforms.

Best Practices For Consistent UI/UX Across Enterprise Apps

A theme guide is a must to plan before coding. This must give details and define the colors of brands, fonts, and spacing rules. These must be documented so that every developer can follow the same standard.
Variables should be used for styling. Store colors, font sizes, and spacing must be in one place. Changing a variable updates the entire app. This saves hours in large projects.
Keep the design simple, and it is better to avoid too many styles or effects. Clean layouts improve performance and usage. User focus should be on tasks, not design noise.
Apps related to sectors like healthcare, banking, and government must have good accessibility features wise.
Themes must be tested for all types of tech instruments. This is important because enterprise apps often run on mixed hardware. Consistent design and themes build trust with users as well.

Conclusion: Build Faster And Smarter With Ext JS

Ext JS is strong when used the right way. These ten lessons will help you to save time and stop mistakes and create scalable and high-speed apps. Always begin small, practice these lessons and grow big.

ExtJS JavaScript is a little complex to use in the beginning. But the right practices make it powerful. We covered ten key lessons every beginner should know. Each tip saves time and avoids common mistakes.

Sencha Architect is a source of speeding up UI design and Sencha Cmd is meant for automation. Organizing the apps is possible with MVC and MVVM patterns whereas routing brings improvement in navigation with good structure. Your scalability depends on smarter usage of components.

We also saw how themes improve UI/UX. Talking of coding standards, they bring stability on a long-term basis. Debugging tools are a good way to maintain performance. Enterprise apps remain efficient if they follow the above steps.

ExtJS JavaScript is built for large-scale applications. It supports productivity, performance, and scalability. Developers, CTOs, and product teams can deliver faster. Start small, apply these lessons, and scale with confidence.

FAQs

What Is Ext JS, And Who Are Its Users?

ExtJS JavaScript is used for the creation of Enterprise Web Apps. It is suitable for companies and product teams as well as developers who make complex apps.

Do I Need To Be An Expert In JavaScript Before Learning Ext JS?

No, it is not necessary to be an expert. A basic understanding is good enough to learn Ext JS.

Can We Add a Button on the Grid Header ExtJS?

Yes, ExtJS can have custom buttons on the grid headers to add features and interactivity with the user.

How Google Crawls JavaScript Frameworks?

Google now has indexing of the live content that improves visibility of that content to the search engine.

What Is React Framework?

React is an open source JavaScript library to make interactive and reusable user interface parts in a faster and effective way.

Is React a Framework or a Library?

React is a JavaScript library based on its system and features, which makes it more of a framework.

What Component Framework Is Good for React?

Some of the well-known rich component frameworks of React applications are Material-UI, Ant Design and Chakra UI.

Is ReactJS a Framework?

ReactJS is really a JavaScript library, though it is often used by developers to make an interface like a framework.

What Is a Framework in Software?

A software framework offers reusable structures, tools and rules to support platform-free application development.

What Is a Framework in Programming?

A framework in software development is a high-level setup used to make a software program, in which a framework gives a set of pre-written code and libraries.