5 Habitual Mistakes Node.js Developers Often Make

For the past few years, Node.js, accounting for its growth and popularity, has been a talking point for some time now. Well-establish companies like Walmart and PayPal have adapted it, making it one of the most recognized languages at present. However, as many other platforms, Node.js faces a lot of development problems that includes crucial mistakes committed by the developers themselves. This article details out the top 5 common mistakes that the developers are guilty of committing often.

Blocking The Event Loop

Being a single-threaded environment, Node.js makes sure that, no part of run in a parallel. To achieve the concurrency I/O bound operations are handled asynchronously. But this leads to the blocking of the event loop as thousands of clients are connected to it. There is no a clear-cut solution to this problem, other than to address each case individually. 

Initiating Multiple Callbacks

Relying on callbacks is what JavaScript has done forever. In Node.js, callbacks are the only way to make asynchronous elements of the code to communicate with each other. This will be the norm, at least till further enhancements are done. The package developers are also more inclined to design their APIs around the callbacks. With such great importance, the vital error that happens is using a callback more than once. Just being a bit more careful, developers can avoid this critical error.

Deeper Nesting Of Callbacks

Nesting callback so deep is not exactly a Node.js issue, but may cause problems, making the code spin out of control in a short span of time. It gets worse with the complexity of the task. Nesting callbacks in this way will end up with a hard-to-read, hard-to-maintain and error-filled code. One feasible solution is to declare these tasks as small functions and then later link them all up.

Assuming The Callbacks Will Run Synchronously

The USP of JavaScript and Node.Js, that lead to their success and popularity is the process of asynchronous programming with callbacks. With regards to other programming languages, it's easy to predict that two statements will execute one after another automatically unless some special instruction is provided to jump between statement. However is Node.js, that uses callbacks, a single task may not perform well until the previous task is finished. Node.js developers have to make sure, the next task that has to happen after the call, has to be invoked from within it.

Not Testing The Application Enough

Assuming that the application is “done” before running multiple tests on them is considered as a cardinal sin. With the availability of multiple testing tools at the disposal of the developers, there is really no excuse for not testing.

Final Words

By now, it's clear that these mistakes may cause devastating effects on the program. Node.js had made it extremely easy for beginners to learn and get started, but there are areas, where things can be easily messed up. Avoiding these crucial mistakes will let the developers to extract all the advantages, Node.js has to offer.

Common UI/UX Designers Mistakes While Building Mobile Apps

In the digital era, where mobile apps are officially declared as “the next big thing”, it's a cardinal sin to even commit the slightest of mistake when it comes to the development of the mobile apps. Measuring a desirable mobile experience is a complex process and designers are trying hard to create the perfect mobile app with what less information they are presented with. An average mobile app doesn't stand a chance in this fiercely competitive marketplace. The pressure to create a top-notch app is huge and the designers and the developers are the first line of attack, those are destined to face it. Listed below are few crucial mistakes that custom mobile app development services should avoid at any cost while designing.

Note : I have written this article originally for Agriya blog

1. Poor Design

This is by far, the biggest and the most fundamental mistake committed during the app creation stage. UI designers are in-charge of the placement of elements, while the UX designers try to enhance the user experience. Both these designers have to give a thought in the user's point-of-view, try to visualize, how they are able to interact with the app that is being created. A simple and interactive design that works well on multiple levels will be for sure more engaging for the users. The designers should also be equipped with the latest happenings and the trends in the designing arena, so that they can come with innovative designs that will excite the end users. 

2. Unnecessary Features

An app should be designed with only the required amount of features, even if it has to be just a handful. Too much of the features will only make the mobile app slow and affect the overall performance. It's important for designers to identify the primary features that will help in the main functionality of the app and if required can add additional features as updates for enhancement in a later stage.

3. Neglecting the Primary Goals & Objectives

This may happen when the designers commit to a lot of things at the same time. Negligence of the primary goals and objectives will lead straight to the path of failure. It also means that the designers loose track of the expectations of the app's target audience. All the hard work put in will be of no use, if they lose sight of their targeted, end users.

4. Tiring & Exhaustive Tutorials

Tutorials, without a doubt, are very much important to any app development as it acts as a guide that helps the end users. Unfortunately, most of the tutorials are overloaded with excessive information and ends up trying to explain the same point in multiple versions. If the app created, demands an exhaustive  tutorial, make sure it's described in simple terms that the user can understand.

5. Taking Up A Complex Process

A pre-defined process that includes the necessary steps and goals for various time frames is what is required for an app development. Complicating things will only lead to a lot of confusion and will result in a creation of app with very low standards. Sometimes, designers get overambitious and apply multiple design elements, with the thought process that it will make the app unique. Even though this process may work for some apps, users tend to get irritated with over-styled visuals.

You may also like : UX Designer vs UI Designer - Similarities and Differences

6. Trying To Replicate Other Apps

A thumb rule for success in designing is, every product is unique its goals, value, functionality and the end users. An alarming trend that is followed nowadays is to replicate the design and functionality of a successful app blindly. There is no guarantee that, the same will work for the app, that's been created.

7. Ignoring Feedback While Redesigning

Redesigns are part and parcel of the designing process and with the competition this fierce, it's very much important to go through the timely redesign process to keep the mobile application up-to-date. Valuable inputs from the users will be of much value as, those users care more about the operations than the aesthetics. Redesigning the app, ignoring those feedbacks may lead to the discontent of the end user, in-turn, lead to the decline of that mobile app. 

8. Keeping the Users in the Dark

This is, again, another major mistake designers commits during the updating or redesigning process. By not letting the users know about the process can backfire pretty bad. A simple message with not much technicality, explaining the process will do wonders in also enhancing the overall relationship between the app business and the end users.

Read Also : 8 Best UI/UX Tools for Responsive Web Designing

9. Keeping Unrealistic Financial Goals

A financial plan is always considered the backbone of any business and a lot of thought process and work is put into, to create the perfect plan that will suit a particular business. But even after such strains and hard work, many businesses fall flat because they were unable to create a logical and realistic financial plan. The same goes for the creation of mobile applications too. The designers should never ever get into an impression that the app they have created, will bring in high returns on investments. With an ocean of free apps available for the users, projecting the returns with a paid app can be tricky. It's always important to include all possible ways of revenue generation strategies should be included in the financial plan. Few examples are in-app purchases, in-app advertising, etc. The UI/UX designers must walk the thin line with regard to the number of in-app ads or in-app purchases, as too much of these will hamper the user experience and may even reduce the financial impact of the app that was forecasted earlier. 

Final Words

As a mobile application development company, one should always be aware that mistakes, no matter small or big, will always come back to hurt the progress of the company. Improving on the design is a long-going, on-the-work process and proper awareness of the consequences will help reduce such mistakes in the future.

8 Common Mistakes Committed by Newbie Drupal Web Developers

Drupal is a content management system renowned for the top class functionalities it offers to the web developers. Organizations providing open source customization services utilize the exclusive attributes of this  content management system for creating various types of websites. As a result, users can find out thousands of web pages ranging over various niches including corporate blogs created using Drupal. 

Websites developed using Drupal can bring you optimal performance, and fabulous features. The flexibility of a website designed using Drupal CMS is optimal. While creating websites using this rich CMS, every developer should be careful, for it offers a good number of development possibilities that should be done by following certain rules. 

Developers who are at the beginner level make many mistakes while creating web pages using Drupal. In this article, we can analyse some of the quite common errors committed by amateur Drupal web developers.

1. Neglecting the Use of Standard Content Types

Developers should follow a content standard architecture, for it is the life of every website. Content architecture of a website, or CMS is vital while programmers proceed with the terms of development. A developer should  thoroughly know about the content needs of a website, and chart it properly before setting the layout pattern. While working with Drupal, programmers should use the standard content types along with fields to avoid common mistakes.

2. Installing of Themes in Wrong Directories

The core functioning of a website depends upon the installation of themes as well as modules in the right directories. If a developer installs many of the themes in a wrong directory without doing it in the root level, it will lead to many issues at the time of upgrading the website. To avoid this issue, be sure that you have installed the themes in correct directories.

3. Needless Coding

Writing of unwanted or extra codes is not a standalone issue with Drupal programming. It happens with every CMS. Drupal is a CMS which offers more than 30000 functionalities, hence developers get plenty of options or modules to add multiple functionalities to a website. To avoid needless coding or the inclusion of extra bit of codes, developers can depend on the official Drupal community. Ready made codes are freely available and programmers can save a lot of energy, and get perfect codes tested by the real Drupal professionals.

4. Evading the Backing of Website

Once a developer starts on with the creation of website using Drupal, he should not forget to keep the back up of that website. Keeping the backing of a website is very important, so that they make the changes in websites very easily. If the original data gets damaged, developers can continue the work without much problem by using the back up itself. So a novice Drupal developer must keep the back up of websites they create.

5. Slow Searching

Authentic search functionality used in Drupal is very slow. A programmer must add good options to increase the speed of that authentic search functionality in Drupal. The using of Solr Search will help programmers to add the speed of search functionality in websites created using Drupal.

6. Failure in the Controlling of Spam

Websites created with the aid of Drupal CMS are mostly vulnerable to spam. Hence it is the responsibility of a developer include superior spam controls on a Drupal website. To protect the website from spam Drupal gives good choices, so the developers should keep it on to avoid mistakes that occur due to spam.

7. Failure in Enabling SEO Techniques

Any website which fails to come up high in the list of search crawlers is functionally useless. Drupal as a prominent CMS offers developers a good list of options to add SEO specifications. It will help developers in the indexing of Drupal websites very easily. Hence it is up to developers to add SEO specifications in a Drupal website.

8. Neglecting of Proper Permissions

Proper functioning of the front as well as back end is very vital in the working of a website. Enabling of apt permissions increase the security aspect of a Drupal website. For the smooth working of Drupal websites, a developer must make sure that all the vital permissions are correctly enabled.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, Drupal has many special features, and multiple modules to serve developers in the creation of websites as a part of open source development. Then novice developers are advised to take an extra bit of care while developing websites using Drupal. Here we have only stressed upon some important points that may lead developers in the creation of flawless Drupal websites. 

Common WordPress Mistakes Committed by Newbies

WordPress has been the leader among the various Content Management Systems. Needless to say, the second popular CMS only comes a distant second in terms of popularity. PHP is a platform of WordPress. This CMS, which is free, is based on MYSQL.

Like anybody else, even the WordPress users and developers, during the open source development of it, make some common mistakes. These silly blunders can easily be avoided.

8 Common Mistakes Committed and The Ways to Prevent them

1. Failing to Create Backup for Your Site

This common mistake will cost your dearly. All the information and data will be lost due to sheer negligence. However, it can be prevented by having a manual or automatic backup of the WordPress site. Even in the event of website getting crashed or corrupted, all your data is safeguarded. 

To back up, just go to Tools, after that, to Export. Use WP-DB-Backup automatic plugin. Also, phpMyAdmin tool or Vaultpress can be used for self-hosted wordpress.org.

2. Use of Default and Unfriendly Permalink

Permalink (permanent link), or URL of a web page is by default set. The URL structure, which looks gibberish and meaningless, can be changed to more understandable way. You should use right keywords in a permalink. Doing so helps your website rank better in the search engine results, apart from enhancing the user experience. To change the structure of permalinks, go to Settings and then to Permalinks.

3. Not Installing Google Analytics and Google Search Console

It is yet another avoidable mistake. Hope you know what is Google Analytics! Nevertheless, Google Analytics helps you in tracking and reporting your site's traffic. It offers you lots of insights. You get to know the keywords that are to be incorporated into your writings so that you drive more traffic to your site.

Ensure that you integrate Google search console ( previously Google Webmaster Tools). Submission of XML sitemap to console helps you to get all the pages of your website indexed.

4. Continuing the use of Default Favicon

Favicon, or favorite icons are small icons. They could be seen adjacent to page title in the browser window, or the browser's address bar. It is one major mistake done by WordPress newbies, i.e., to continue with the default favicon. Changing the default favicon to you own one would exhibit your professionalism. To replace, checkout for a free favicon generator on the web, visit the images section, replace the default one with your own.

5. Failing Your Mobile Users

Increasingly, people are switching over to smartphones. Failing to make your site mobile-friendly and tablet-friendly will result in you paying the price. What price? Your site will slowly lose traffic. So, to address this issue, use a plug-in like WPtouch for customizing the site for mobile devices. Using responsive Wordpress theme also helps in adapting your site to diverse devices.

6. Not Installing a Caching Plugin

Yet another major blunder. Installing a caching plug-in is of utmost importance. Apart from caching plug-in, Content Delivery Network also has to be used. The reason for this need is that your site wouldn't crash and can even sustain a massive traffic. That said, caching helps in improving efficiency, preventing downtime and also decreases the site's load time. 

W3 Total Cache is the best-known plug-in that could help in speeding up the WordPress blog. Also, WP Super Cache is another plug-in

7. Paying No Attention to WordPress Updates

Every time a bug is found or any susceptibility to it is found, WordPress gets updates. Neglecting any updates will only result in your site becoming prone to attacks from hackers. So take no chances when it comes to security.

8. Creating too Many Categories

While you should be thankful to WordPress for allowing to create as many categories, this may also result in cluttering your site. Properly categorize and structure all the topics accordingly. Offer a pleasant experience to the visitors of your site.

Conclusion

Ensuring that these mistakes aren't committed will help in the success of your WordPress site. Make a list of to-do's so that you do not miss on anything. After all, it is always advised that you "look before you leap."

Common Mistakes Made by PHP Web Developers

The popularity of PHP is obviously known. Going by the market demand, this server-side scripting language that is used in web development is the most desired programming language. It is estimated that PHP was installed on 39% of the websites. This proves the point that PHP is the most preferred language among the web development community. 

 "To err is human..." goes the adage. True to that, in the course of coding, it is common that most PHP developers, at times even ninjas, commit some easily avoidable blunders, be it basic or complex ones. 

The many frameworks in PHP have only made the language more sophisticated, further increasing the chances of making mistakes. Avoiding these mistakes is, however, important, and will help you to speed up your development process. 

Failing to use Database Caching

Are you using a database in the PHP application? If so, ensure that you use some kind of database caching. Memcached, which is free, has now become the famous caching system. Use of Memcached will also contribute to the performance of the database. 

Use of incorrect Comparison Operator

Combining comparison operators in the code is definitely not so good practice. It is necessary to be very familiar with operators like =, = =, !=. These are a few operators which are misused, and knowing them better will drastically enhance the programming speed. Also, you do not have to spend too much time on debugging if the operators are understood better. 

Continuing the use of MySQL Extension

MySQL extension is not reliable and is insecure. It also misses on few modern MYSQL features and even doesn't support SSL. Surprisingly, many developers still continue to opt mysql extension. Having said that, it is now time for you to opt for MYSQLi.

Not using PHP Data Objects

MySQLi may be ahead of MySQL extensions. It is certainly fast, reliable and secure, but is MySQL specific. So, it will be instead better to use PDO. Doing so allows you to use object-oriented syntax. It will also make you ready for the SQL databases. 

Apart from that, PDO enables using of named parameters. Moreover, it would save a lot of time by allowing you to inject the fetched data into new object. 

Failing to rewrite URLs

Rewriting of URLs is very important. Having a URL full of variables will not be easy to memorize the URL. And so is not acceptable to today's needs. Hence, the URL has to be clean, easy to read and easy to remember. Make use of the guide that is offered by frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, Zend, Phalcon in setting up clean URLs. 

Conclusion

PHP web development will continue to gain popularity even in the coming days and there can be no doubt about that. Coding on a language like PHP will surely be a breeze if some of the commonly made mistakes are avoided.