![]() ![]() You can learn more by reading the IndexedDB docs. close the database connection once the transaction has completed The API also detects changes that allow apps to continue to function as a user moves from one network connection to another (like going in and out of subway tunnels).Īs an example, when a user is on a slower connection, they get an alert that performance may be degraded: if ( != '4g') ) The Network Information API even distinguishes between WiFi and Cellular networks, allowing for fine-grained control over how content is served. This cuts down on the errors a user sees when an app tries to find a connection but fails to open at all. Developers can use this API to create paths that open an app in online or offline mode from the moment a user opens the app. The Network Information API is a critical tool for developers who want to ensure a smooth experience for users. Fortunately, there are a number of existing tools that make it easier for developers to program with Offline First in mind. To put these concepts to work you’ll need the right tools. Those are the concepts you need to be aware of. The idea that everyone wants to constantly be online is one that should be tested against your own assumptions. I do not know if the Kindle App’s developers anticipated people hanging onto books like that, but it is one example of people remaining offline as long as it takes to fit their use cases. Since borrowed books “expire” after a set rental period, she keeps her Kindle offline as long as possible to ensure that if she needs more time to finish a book, she can do so without losing access to it. One personal example is my wife borrowing e-books from the library to read on her Kindle. Track what users actually do with continued testing and surveying when users are offline. ![]() While you should test for a wide variety of situations you cannot account for everything. Uploading only the most important data to your servers saves on storage and the time needed to upload. Knowing what to update along with when to update is an important consideration as well. Update too slowly and you may create more conflicts than necessary and frustrate users. Update too frequently and you may miss out on the benefits of being offline first. No matter what you choose, the app should handle this gracefully. It is up to you if you want the user to pick and choose which version to keep or to institute a “last write wins” rule. There are several solutions for handling conflicting information. Once they know their options, they can choose what works for them. Users should have a clear understanding of what happens when conflict is unavoidable. It may not be enough to simply merge and override all changes except the last time a user was online. Be Ready for ConflictĬonflicting information can be a big problem. Users will appreciate it because you’ll take the guesswork out of understanding your app’s limits when offline. That’s OK! Identify what features need an internet connection, then create messages or alerts informing those features’ needs to users. On the flip side, some features are non-negotiable: you simply have to be connected to the internet to use them, such as location services. Check out some specific strategies for caching in the section on Service Workers below. Apps can be opened and closed while keeping their state that way as well. Cache early, cache oftenĪs the old saying goes, “the early bird caches the worm.” □īad jokes aside, cache your content early and often while connections are stable to save yourself headaches when network connections are more intermittent.Ĭaching content improves app performance since the now-local information is retrieved faster. Here are some of the things you can do to adopt an Offline First mindset. Building Offline First apps increase the utility of your app and lead to better user satisfaction. ![]() This is especially important if you are designing for a mobile audience, who may go offline multiple times per day. Offline First is the software engineering principle that assumes that apps can and will be used without a network connection at some point. Tame any concerns about building offline experiences by learning the fundamentals of Offline First. So as a developer, what do you do? Embrace it. And, you can’t stop your users from accessing your app while their connection is poor or non-existent. WiFi is available everywhere nowadays, but service can be spotty or overloaded with connection requests (such as at large events or conferences). ![]() It’s a hard truth every software developer faces at some point: consistent Internet access is never guaranteed. ![]()
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