Why You Should Use JAMstack For Ecommerce?

Though the Ecommerce industry is the fastest growing industry, online stores are facing lots of challenges. They compete with each other with increasingly demanding customers. Fulfilling these demands and overcoming challenges is getting harder as it needs flexibility, readiness to make changes fast. Online store face some challenges such as- poor user experience, slow page speed, high maintenance cost, developing new features take more time. But JAMstack evolves as a solution to these issues. So here we’ll see the reasons to use JAMstack for ecommerce. But before digging into it, let’s see what is JAMstack?

What Is JAMstack?

JAMstack is an architectural pattern of web app development. It is a tech stack that includes client-side javascript, reusable APIs and prebuilt markup. Chief components of JAMstack are explained as below-

Javascript- It is the most widely used language to write web apps and it includes lots of frameworks and SDKs. 

APIs- APIs carry out the HTTP requests to transfer data to server-side of the application through interface or resource.

Markup- It is HTML rendered before time through a static content generator. Markup is responsible to impart the appearance of web app’s pages. it is either built with the static-site generator or it is dynamically assembled when the page loads. 

With traditional website development systems, APIs controlling the plugins and extensions for web platforms were limited by boundaries of the monolithic systems. But JAMstack gives more freedom to APIs. One of the main goal of JAMstack is to help developers in fast building, securing and scaling the web solution. It does this by providing a possibility to use tools and workflows that support productivity.

Also know- Best Ecommerce UX Tips For 2021

Why You Should Use JAMstack For Ecommerce?

1. Best-Of-Breed Approach-

JAMstack is a great solution for the developers who are going by best-of-breed approach. Best-of-breed solutions are flexible and economical also, because you pay only for what you need. This lets you choose the best tools, tech stacks and CMS to offer best services to your clients. Best aspect of this approach is that every tech stack has its own individuality and functionality. Though tech stacks are performing in integration with other tools, any update, issue or change in one tool won’t affect others. If you don’t need one specific tool in the whole group, you could keep the rest. This makes the best-of-breed approach safer compared with all in one solutions.

2. Faster Loading Speed-

JAMstack provides a simple setup as the static files are hosted on CDNs. It ensures that the static websites works with speed and maintain higher performance. Speed of website impacts SEO and user experience also. According to the SEO, even a one-second delay in page loading speed will reduce the conversion rate by 7%.

3. Better Developer Experience-

Developers don’t have to be full-stack developers who take care of implementing layout to connect it with the backend layer. JAMstack eases this makes it possible to use APIs, programmers can depend on ecommerce solutions such as Shopify and concentrate only on creating front-end layers. Thus the development time and cost reduces.

4. Improved Time To Market-

As mentioned above, better developer experience results in improved time to market. JAMstack improves development process and helps to-

• Add new touchpoints without needing to use extra software.
• Develop new features or implement changes quickly because it is possible to work on front-end and back-end layers at the same time
• Build user interfaces according to your choice
• Personalize customer experience 

5. You Can Sell Your Products Everywhere-

Developing an eCommerce store means decoupling the front-end layer with the back-end layer. So you can publish and display your products and contents on various platforms such as Amazon, Facebook and so on. Such a possibility accompanies the simplicity of managing all digital sales channels at one place rather than checking data in each channels independently.

https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/why-you-should-use-jamstack-for-ecommerce/

How To Optimize Performance Of React App?

Since the inception of React, it has transformed a way to build web applications. By using virtual DOM, React can make UI updates more efficiently. Mostly this makes web apps more irritable. Developers complain that medium sized react web apps perform so poorly and slowly. So here we came with some tips to optimize performance of react apps. Let’s have a look at those tips.

Also know the best react component libraries at- 10 Best React component libraries you should know in 2020

Tips To Optimize Performance Of React Apps-

1. Multiple Chunk Files-

Your app starts with a few components. You start adding new dependencies and features and before you know it, you end up with a big production file. Consider having separate two files by separating your vendor or third-party library code from app code by leveraging CommonChunkPlugin for webpack. You’ll end up with vendor.bundle.js and app.bundle.js. By dividing your files, browser caches less frequently and parallel downloads resources to minimize the load time wait. If you’re using latest version of webpack, consider SplitChunksPlugin.

2. Using Production Mode Flag In Webpack-

If you have used webpack 4 as a module bundler for your app, set the mode option to production. Basically it tells webpack to use the built-in optimization:

   module.exports = {
      mode: 'production'
    };

Alternatively, you can pass it as a CLI argument:

webpack –mode=production

This will limit optimizations, like minification or removing development-only code to libraries. It won’t expose source code, file paths and so on.

3. Function/Stateless Components and React.PureComponent-

In react development, function components and PureComponent provides two different ways of optimizing react apps at component level. Function components prevent constructing instances of class while minimizing the overall bundle size as it minifies better than classes. Conversely, so as to optimize UI updates, you can convert function components to PureComponent class. If component doesn’t use state and other life cycle methods, the initial render time is somehow more complex when compared to function components with faster updates. 

When to use React.PureComponent?

React.PureComponent does a shallow comparison on state change. Meaning that it compares values when looking at primitive data types and compares references for objects. Because of this, you must ensure two criterias fulfil when using React.PureComponent:

• Props/State should not have multi-level nested object. 

Tip- All child component of React.PureComponent should be a Pure or functional component.

• Component State/Props is an immutable object;

4. Use React.Fragments to Avoid Additional HTML Element Wrappers-

React.fragments allows you to group a list of children without adding an extra node.

class Comments extends React.PureComponent{
    render() {
        return (
            <React.Fragment>
                <h1>Comment Title</h1>
                <p>comments</p>
                <p>comment time</p>
            </React.Fragment>
        );
    } 
}

There is alternate and more concise syntax using React.fragments:

class Comments extends React.PureComponent{
    render() {
        return (
            <>
                <h1>Comment Title</h1>
                <p>comments</p>
                <p>comment time</p>
            </>
        );
    } 
}

5. Using Immutable Data Structures-

Read more

 

11 Best Headless Ecommerce Platforms

People are moving away from traditional web platforms and use modern tech platforms such as IoT and progressive web apps(PWA). So traditional ecommerce stores and business owners need to deliver content on these modern platforms to match the growing needs of customers. If an ecommerce business wants to survive, they have to adapt to these modern technologies. But implementing this modern technology needs big development and IT teams with experienced developers. It can be expensive for most ecommerce businesses. Here comes the need of headless content management and headless ecommerce platforms. Here we’ve curated the definitive list of best headless platforms. Let’s have a look at the details of each one.

11 Best Headless Ecommerce Platforms-

1. The.Com-

This headless ecommerce platform takes you to a new level of experience in WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). And this makes it highly customizable according to your expected look and feel. The.com allows you to design and customize your site without any boundaries, all the while keeping your site fast and secure. Also it has integrations with Mailchimp, Typeform, Formstack and other business applications. This headless ecommerce platform works out of the box with applications such as Shopify, that makes it a go-to option for fast-loading ecommerce sites.

2. OroCommerce-

It focuses on solutions for the B2B industry. The platform can be customized to fit any B2B2C, B2B, B2B2B and B2C ecommerce needs. Inventory management features of OroCommerce allows you to conduct multi-website and multi-warehouse management. You can personalize catalogs and adjust pricing too. With OroCommerce you can take your brand to the mobile and web with the platforms that supports both headless ecommerce and traditional ecommerce. It works on an open-source philosophy and has an active community to support each other. With OroCommerce, you can keep your eCommerce and ERP in sync. It seamlessly integrates with CRM apps and ERP apps.

3. CommerceTools-

It is an omnichannel headless ecommerce platform that uses revolutionary eCommerce architecture. Commercetools efficiently manages the data flow between frontend client and backend ERP system. And it is a fully API enabled platform and its all functionalities are covered by APIs. It has important inventory management features like return management, adjusting inventory, tracking inventory, multi-store management and so on.

4. Shopify Plus-

It is a headless commerce platform for big brands having high volume & growth, coupling speed, agility and scalable foundation to these brands that need to grow. You can break the rules of traditional eCommerce through unlimited integrations, customizations and extensibility. It also provides accelerated and customizable checkouts and localized customer experiences.

5. Contentful-

Know more at- https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/11-best-headless-ecommerce-platforms/

How To Convert Android App To iOS App?

Few years back, a mobile app development project with one platform was a good strategy but now developing mobile apps on both Android and iOS platforms is the best idea to ensure that the product reaches more target audiences. So if you have an android app then it is perfect to convert your android app to iOS app to stay ahead of your competitors. According to the reports, “iPhone users spend more money on apps than android users”. But conversion of android app to ios is not that much simple as it looks. Here you’ll get to know about how to convert an Android app to ios app.

How To Convert Android App To iOS App?

Convert Android App To iOS App

1. Analysis Of The App Requirements & Functionality-

First of all you must review all the materials of the existing apps. Those materials can be app design, functional specifications and source code. This will help to align the app’s functionality and business logic. There is a need to modify some of the technical elements like content adjustments, push notifications and 3D touch use on iOS. App conversion process divides the project modification in two perspectives: Technical and Business. Hence the best way is to assign two experts such as software programmer and business analysts to perform the gap analysis. This thought allows for preparing the work scope to increase the new application’s potential and performance. Let’s have a look at the checklist of potential deliverables to port an app-

• Market Analysis (optional)
• Work Breakdown Structure is used to organize all project`s elements
• Functional Specification 
• Code Review
• Design Review

2. Modify Design For App Porting-

Layout and user interface should be changed while develop and application from scratch.  One of the most common mistakes is to copy the existing UI rather than adjusting it as required. It can affect the app look, feel or navigation. Let’s have a look at some factors that you should consider when adjusting design for your app conversion.

2.1 Material Vs Flat Design Patterns-

Apple and Google have different design patterns. Hence if you want to convert an Android app to iOS, prioritise the flat design patterns.

2.2 UI Design-

There are various mobile app UI design trends for Android and iOS. You should have knowledge of how to use UI elements like Navigation bar, floating button, main navigation, tab bar segmented control, alert notifications, buttons, icons, UI controls for android and ios both. Before starting the development process, app design should be segmented into assets. If you want to convert Android app to iOS, the app service design should be sliced in 1x *.pdf. Programmers can easily resize it to 2x or 3x if necessary as it is a vector format. 

3. Customize Coding & Architecture Elements-

Besides programming languages, the app uses some libraries and third-party integrations. Hence it is important to check the platform compatibility your ios or android app is ported to with those elements. Otherwise, some alternative tools should be replaced so as to fit functionality. Let’s have a look at the tech stack outlining the elements required after deciding an Android app to iOS conversion.

• Payment Systems: Braintree, Paypal
• Analytics: Flurry, Google Analytics, Fabric, Crashlytics, Mixpanel
• Social networks: Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram

Let’s see te list of pitfalls that you should avoid and it could be challenging when you port an Android app to iOS.

• Check the app localization functionality
• Ensure the work with out of the box solutions(ex, animation)
• Check functionality of push notification or in-app purchases
• Create a Google or Apple account beforehand

4. App Testing And Launch-

Proper testing allows you to develop a great working product. App coding and designing, includes a quality assurance when converting an android app to iOS app. Generally it takes 30% of the total development time. The QA developers test applications in terms of code functionality, design interface and navigation. Have look at the test

Here is a list of possible tests conducted during the QA:

• Functional testing
• Security and Access
• Control testing
• Performance and Load testing
• Usability testing
• Validation testing
• User acceptance

Worth noting that to launch the app to the marketplace correctly, you should use common tools, software and devices. They will help you test the specific platform to meet its guidelines. In general, the App Store of Apple has harsh rules when releasing the mobile application. 

You can also know the tips to reduce mobile app development cost at- 9 Effective Tips To Reduce Mobile App Development Cost

Approaches To Convert Android App To iOS-

1. Use J2OBJC For Code Porting-

J2ObjC is a tool for code conversion. It is an open-source command-line tool which translates the Java source code to objective C. Your android app has non-UI codes like app logic and data model. J2ObjC supports Java language and run-time aspects. Here are some of the prerequisites for using J2ObjC. Have look at it-

• They need JDK 1.8 or higher
• Mac laptop
• Mac OS X 10.11 or higher
• Xcode 7 or higher

One can download and install J2ObjC by following the instructions in the Google/J2ObjC GitHub repository. 

2. Use The MechDome Android To iOS Converter-

While converting an Android app to iOS, you require reliable iOS app development solution. Whereas, if you don’t have skilled developers, MechDome is a cross-platform android runtime that allows you operate existing android apps on iPhone and iPad. If you want to deploy native app to all platforms without spending money, MechDome is the best tool for you. When you work with MechDome, you need to follow some of the steps-

Read more- https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/how-to-convert-android-app-to-ios-app/

Why Should You Develop PWAs For Ecommerce Business?

With the advent of technology, users expect great user experience and organizations need to target their audience more rapidly. Here comes the need of PWAs for ecommerce development. PWA technology plays a game changing factor in the ecommerce industry. It helps eCommerce brands to concentrate on enhancing the user experiences and develop three times quicker than an eCommerce website. According to the reports, we can experience a vast development in mobile-driven commerce by 2024 and progressive web apps are the main reason behind this growth in mobile businesses. Here we’ll discuss the development of PWAs for ecommerce. But before digging into it, let’s have a look at what PWAs are?

What Is Progressive Web Apps?

Progressive web app is a combination of website and app features. It works and appears like a native application. It offers push notifications, offline functions and you can add it to your mobile phone’s home screen. Dissimilar to a native application, a PWA is a mixed strategy for making a platform that works like an application and a website. You cannot download PWAs from an app store but they are easy to use like native apps. As, for eCommerce stores, the main source of traffic is mobile phones, PWAs are the great solution for Ecommerce.

Also know- How To Optimize Ecommerce Checkout Page?

When To Develop Ecommerce PWA?

Here are some of the cases from which you can get an idea of when there is a need to develop PWA for a webstore.

• To provide a great browsing experience for the mobile user.
• Need to focus on mobile users 
• If store owner doesn’t want to publish their app on store
• Store owner sees decrease in growth of conversion rate on their website
• Store owner wants to develop native app for their webstore but they are on a tight budget

Advantages Of PWAs For Ecommerce Stores-

1. Saves Storage Space And Data-

Users always want to save their internet and data costs, this also true regarding ecommerce. PWAs are rescuers for eCommerce organizations. When an app might take 50MB storage space in the phone memory, PWAs would occupy just some MBs only.

2. Offline Functionality With Service Workers-

Cache and service worker APIs are the USPs of PWAs. Service workers work in the background and are responsible for getting cache elements and sending notifications. They store new content in a browser’s cache and syncs local transformations to the local server. Hence, if yous app users can’t be online  due to the weak internet connection, PWAs would help standard navigation. 

3. Responsiveness And Flexibility-

PWAs have a responsive layout, so whatever will be your device, your website’s design must comply with size and resolution. Great user experience boosts online sales and retains genuine buyers. Flexibility synchronizes with the mobile first strategy relying upon addressing the choices of your targeted mobile audience. Mobile responsive websites have more chances to attract user’s attention and engage them.

4. Saves Time And Cost Of Development-

As PWAs’ architecture lays on reusable codes, programmers might use them again and again. Where, to build an application you need to have different code for other platforms. Also the app must fulfill the needs to get approval from reviewers of both platforms. If you want to use devices with different operating systems to target two groups, you should increase efforts, time, money and resources. 

5. Automatic Updates And No App-Store Costs-

In case of PWA, automatic updates work similar to regular website update that occur at the server end. This enables end-users to have an updated website app. Also you have to spend subscription costs to the app stores where you want to upload native app. A PWA assists you with swearing off these high expenses without affecting your site’s visibility. When you launch a PWA, there’s no need to rely on app stores and their terms and conditions. While a native application probably won’t be visible to your users on the application stores, a PWA can be managed by the search engines to boost its visibility.

6. Payment Security-

PWA provides payment security to the ecommerce businesses. But, tedious checkout processes prevent them from completing an online purchase. Because of the integrating payment request API with a browser, customers can experience secure and fast payments. In this payment method, there is no check-out form and so customers can complete their purchase quickly.

7. Easy To Maintain-

If you want to develop separate apps for play store and iOS, then you might need to spend a considerable amount for hiring a developer because the app needs continuous monitoring, regular error fixing and up-gradation. Whereas, pwa saves money and you can upgrade it by identifying requirements for various browsers.

8. Bridges Gap Between Customers And Merchants-

With PWA, users don’t need to download an app. Thus is lowers the cognitive load that users generally face downloading the app. As users get limited mobile storage space, keeping a minimal amount of mobile apps is the current trend. If there are lots of apps on mobile, it gets slower and clog the phone. So mobile centric businesses are developing PWAs.

Prerequisite To Build Ecommerce PWA–

1. Create An App Shell-

App shell architecture is a way to build progressive web apps that immediately load on your user’s screens, like what user sees in native apps. With the help of app shells, PWA performs so fast with the high performance. This is important element of an application with dynamic content and constant navigation.

2. Service Worker-

It helps PWA to work in offline mode or poor internet connection mode. Hence it is a main component that PWA should include. This network script keeps scanning the system and it determines where it should download content from cache or server. 

https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/why-should-you-develop-pwas-for-ecommerce-business/

Top 10 Android App Development Trends For 2022

These days, having a website is not enough for businesses to stay updated in the world and generate revenue. They need to be present around their clients all the time and mobile apps help to achieve this. Android is one of the most used mobile OS in the world and so people get attracted to its large user base. Because of such a large user base, the chances of building and publishing successful apps increases. But just building an app is not sufficient. Your business app must be updated with the latest technology trends. Each new technology brings new functions so the more advanced the app, the more users it drags customers. Here we came with some significant android app development trends that will skyrocket in 2022.

Top 10 Android App Development Trends For 2022-

1. Event Streaming –

Until 2020, we never thought that event streaming will become a trend. Such sites offer more than just watching events online. Users can connect to virtual events, change rooms and interact with other participants. Now users can participate in online events without any effort. And this continues in the upcoming years too. Hence building an event streaming app will be in demand in 2022 too.

2. 5G Technology –

5G Technology

5G technology is finally entering the world. According to the statistics, once 5G launched, it will have 100 million connections immediately. By the end of this year, this number will reach 600 million subscriptions. 5G technology will become the new standard for mobile technology. It will be 1000 times faster than 4G as the speed can reach up to 100 GBs. Also on this network, there is lower latency, which ensures the seamless connections. Faster 5G connection speed results in lots of possibilities in the mobile app development industry. App development that depends on technologies requiring quicker connections to work appropriately, like AR and VR, will get a boost as 5G turns out to be all the more broadly accessible.

3. M-commerce Applications-

M-Commerce Apps

Android mobile phone users spend almost 3 hours daily on their phones. These days phones have become very powerful and almost each daily task can be done using an android smartphone. Shopping is one of them and users use mobile commerce apps to buy everything from their phone. And so m-commerce apps have become so trendy.  It helps businesses to generate more revenue and they can be connected to their customers through android apps. Most of the ec-commerce businesses go with native app development and taking advantage of the android and iOS customer segments simultaneously. M-commerce apps will flourish as they are smaller in size, faster to perform and manageable than websites and web apps. Also, android apps come with improved security provided by OS, so they are first choice in m-commerce transactions.

4. Instant Apps-

Instant applications are the most amazing feature of the android operating system and it is released now. With instant applications, user’s don’t need to download the whole application to use it. Users can try it from the play store and download it only if they like it. Sometimes there may be chances that the application will not run properly on your device hence it is better to test it before install to your device. Instant app features are important in paid applications. With this, users can determine whether the payment is worth it or not. Also, instant apps don’t acquire any space on your mobile phone; so it is much better. Some android apps offer instant app features and this trend will increase over time.

5. IoT-

Internet Of Things

IoT technology has been used in production processes where machines effectively cooperate so as to accomplish the desired goal. But it is an emerging trend in mobile apps. With the consumer version of IoT system, computers and home appliances communicate and cooperate to keep the home running smoothly or achieve goals. Any machine or system in IoT system includes a unique identifier that allows it to send and receive messages from others through the internet. An ever increasing number of gadgets like smartphones and wearables will be added to the IoT system in the coming years. Their addition will give users significantly more sophisticated tools for controlling their machines and home appliances.

You can also know the details about how to develop IoT apps at- How to Develop Internet of Things Applications?

6. Beacon Technology-

Beacon Technology

The Beacon technology is gaining more popularity for mobile app development, and it will continue in 2022 too. This technology provides a link between the offline and online world. It analyses how mobile app users interact with physical stores and  allows businesses to understand their customers’ purchase behavior. With this technology, you can get valuable information such as the number of times a customer visits your stores etc. and send them relevant adverts. Also, this technology is very useful to navigate through busy shopping malls with some stores. In the next few years, the technology will continuously expand. Mobile phone users also expecting from developers to integrate advanced features such as mobile payment with beacon technology in 2022.

7. AR Integration-

Know more at- https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/top-10-android-app-development-trends-for-2022/

How To Secure An Ecommerce Website And App?

Ecommerce industry is booming worldwide and is not showing signs of returning. So developing an ecommerce website will be advantageous for your business. But one thing that most of the entrepreneurs overlook or perhaps even forget is the security of their eCommerce website. You shouldn’t think that your website is safe just because it’s small at the moment. In fact, small businesses are actually targeted more often than the larger ones. Financial fraud, data damage and security breaches can damage your brand’s reputation. So whether your website is small or large, you must secure it. Here are some easy tips to secure your ecommerce website. But before that, let’s see what’s see ecommerce security?

What Is Ecommerce Security?

Security is one of the most important features of an eCommerce website. In case of any security issue, owners put their brands and their customers at a risk of financial or reputational loss. If you will not spend money on an insecure site, why should you expect your customers to feel secure while making money transactions on your website? And once a threat happens, it will be difficult to gain your customer’s trust back. 

Most Common Ecommerce Website Attacks-

1. Cross-Site Scripting(XSS)-

Cross site scripting is a client-side code injection attack on a website. Goal of an XSS attack is to execute malicious, harmful scripts into a web browser by injecting the code into the web page. Generally, website becomes a delivery system for malicious scripts. This attack is most harmful and effective when used with forums, message boards or any web page that allow user input or comments. Also, XSS attack may change you content or redirect your website to another website.

2. SQL Injections-

SQL is a standard coding language which is used to access database. With SQL, user can manage databases and execute queries like data retrieval and record removal. SQL injections are the most common attacks that use rogue commands to get access to sensitive data stored on a database. There are 3 types of SQL injections- In-brand SQL injection, Inferential SQL Injections, Out of Band SQL Injections.

In-band SQL injections-

These are simple and efficient, this makes it the most common SQL injection attacks. It uses of a language to communicate with websites database and show sensitive information or even gain administrative access. It launch the attacks on same channels as it does to collect results of the attack. If you’re not protecting the code, hackers can hack the data easily.

Inferential SQL Injections-

It needs an attacker to send data packets to the server and lets them observe the server’s responses and behavior. Through this, an attacker can understand the server’s structure. Generally this type of SQL injection is slow to execute but harmful.

Out-of-Band SQL Injection-

This type of SQL injection can be carried out when specific features are enabled on the server. It depends on your website’s server’s capacity to create DNS or HTTP request that transfers data to hackers.

3. DDoS and DoS-

These are the most common attacks that you might face. It executes with the same goal but technically different. DDoS attacks also clog your website traffic. These attacks uses various devices or botnets to attack. Botnets operate as a group of computers and are generally infected with malware to cause further damage to ecommerce website. DDoS attacks shut down eCommerce website by spamming it with illegitimate traffic.

4. Malware Infections-

It is a common way for hackers to access your eCommerce website. Malware includes viruses, ransomware, spyware, worms and so on. It steal customer data, erase data, infect website visitors and even hold website hostage.

Know the amazing ecommerce platforms at- Top 10 Ecommerce Platforms To Know In 2021

Best Tips For Ecommerce Website Security-

1. Use HTTPS-

It is an online protocol to secure communication over internet and is one of the most easy way to protect ecommerce site. HTTPS websites marked with green padlock icon in the browser address bar are considered secure because they are verified. Meaning that it is not a fake website hosted on the internet to trick users into getting access credentials, credit card details and so on. Obtaining SSL certificate is the initial step and needs to be carefully implemented into an e-commerce solution. It’s benefits are beyond security and reliability. Small and medium scale businesses should plan their e-commerce website’s HTTPS security. 

2. Choose A Secure eCommerce Platform-

https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/how-to-secure-an-ecommerce-website-and-app/

What’s New In PHP 8.1?

Technology world is moving forward and the same holds for PHP too. PHP 8.0 brought many new features, performance improvements and changes such as the new JIT compiler. Now, PHP 8.1 will be released on November 25, 2021 with some exciting features. Let’s see the amazing new features of PHP 8.1.

New Features In PHP 8.1-

1. Enums-

PHP 8.1 is adding support for enums. They’re user-defined data type consisting of a set of possible values. One of the most common example in programming language is boolean type with true and false as possible values. According to the RFC, enums in PHP will be restricted to “unit enumerations”. According to the PHP team’s survey, it has been found that you can categorize enumerations into three categories- Fancy Constants, fancy Objects and full Algebraic Data Types (ADTs).

PHP implements “Fancy Objects” enums so as to extend it to full ADTs in the future. Conceptually and semantically it is modeled after enumerated types in Swift, Rust and Kotlin, though it’s not modeled on any of them. RFC makes use of famous analogy of suits to explain how it’ll work:

enum Suit {
  case Hearts;
  case Diamonds;
  case Clubs;
  case Spades;
}

Here, enum defines four possible values: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. One can access those values using syntax: Suit::Hearts, Suit::Diamonds, Suit::Clubs, and Suit::Spades.

As enums are built atop classes and objects, this usage may seem familiar. They have almost the same requirements and behave similarly. Enums share the same namespaces as interfaces, traits and classes. Also, you can define Backed Enums if you want to give a scalar equivalent value to any cases. But, backed enums can only have only one type, either int or string (never both).

enum Suit: string {
  case Hearts = 'H';
  case Diamonds = 'D';
  case Clubs = 'C';
  case Spades = 'S';
}

Besides, all different cases of backend enum must have a unique value. You can never mix pure and backed enums.

2. Fibres-

Fibres are PHP’s way of handling parallelism through virtual threads (or green threads). It tries to eliminate the difference between synchronous and asynchronous code by allowing PHP functions to hinder without influencing the entire call stack. You can use Fibres to develop full-stack, interruptible PHP functions that you can use to implement cooperative multitasking in PHP. As Fibres pause the execution stack, you can rest assured knowing that it won’t impact rest of the code.

To illustrate the Fibres use, its RFC uses the simple example-

$fiber = new Fiber(function (): void {
    $value = Fiber::suspend('fiber');
    echo "Value used to resume fiber: ", $value, "\n";
});
 
$value = $fiber->start();
 
echo "Value from fiber suspending: ", $value, "\n";
 
$fiber->resume('test');

In the above code, you’re creating “fibre” and immediately suspending it with string fibre. The echo statement serves as a visual cue for fibre’s resumption. Retrieve this string value from the call to $fiber->start(). Resume the fibre with string “test”, that is returned from call to Fiber::suspend(). The complete code execution results in an output that reads –

Value from fiber suspending: fiber
Value used to resume fiber: test

Most of the PHP programmers will never deal with Fibres directly. Considering the performance benefits, you can expect PHP libraries and frameworks to leverage this new feature. 

3. New fsync() and fdatasync() Functions-

PHP 8.1 adds new file system functions named as- fsync() and fdatasync(). It’ll seem familiar for those used to Linux functions of the same name because they’re related as implemented for PHP. fsync function is just like PHP’s existing fflush() function, however it differs in one way. fflush flushes the app’s internal buffers to the OS, fsync() goes one step further and also ensures that internal buffers are flushed to physical storage. This ensures a complete and persistent write so that one can retrieve data even after an app or system crash.

How to use it?-

$doc = 'kinsta.txt';

$kin = fopen($doc, 'ki');
fwrite($kin, 'doc info');
fwrite($kin, "\r\n");
fwrite($kin, 'more info');

fsync($kin);
fclose($kin);

Including the fsync() call at the end ensures that any data held in PHP’s or OS’s internal buffer gets written to storage. Other code execution are blocked until then. fdatasync() is used to sync data but not necessarily metadata. For data whose metadata is not important, this function call makes the writing process very rapid. 

4. New array_is_list() Function-

PHP arrays can hold both integer and string keys meaning that you can use it for lists, hash tables, dictionaries, collections, stacks, queues and so on. One can have arrays within arrays, creating multidimensional arrays. You can check whether a specific entry is an array. It is not that much simple to check any missing array offsets, out-of-order keys and so on. Simply, you can’t verify immediately whether an array is a list.

array_is_list() function checks whether an array’s keys are in sequential order without any gaps. If all the conditions are satisfied, it’ll return true. Have a look at some of the examples of using it with true and false conditions met:

// true array_is_list() examples
array_is_list([]); // true
array_is_list([1, 2, 3]); // true
array_is_list(['cats', 2, 3]); // true
array_is_list(['cats', 'dogs']); // true
array_is_list([0 => 'cats', 'dogs']); // true
array_is_list([0 => 'cats', 1 => 'dogs']); // true 

// false array_is_list() examples 
array_is_list([1 => 'cats', 'dogs']); // as first key isn't 0
array_is_list([1 => 'cats', 0 => 'dogs']); // keys are out of order
array_is_list([0 => 'cats', 'bark' => 'dogs']); // non-integer keys
array_is_list([0 => 'cats', 2 => 'dogs']); // gap in between keys

PHP array list with out-of-order keys are a source of bugs. Using this function to enforce adherence to list necessities prior to moving ahead with code execution is a great addition to PHP.

5. New $_FILES: full_path Key For Directory Uploads-

PHP maintains a large number of predefined variables to track lots of things. One of them is $_FILES variable that holds an associative array of items uploaded through the HTTP POST method. PHP <8.1 supported this functionality but with a big caveat. You can’t upload a folder with its exact directory structure or relative paths as PHP don’t pass this information to $_FILES array.

Those changes in PHP 8.1 including new key named full_path to the $_FILES array. With the use of this new data, you can store relative paths or duplicate the exact directory structure on the server.

Test this data by outputting the $FILES array using the var_dump($_FILES);  command.

6. The never Return Type-

PHP 8.1 inlcudes new return type called never. It is helpful to use in functions that always exit or throw. According to the RFC, URL redirect functions that always exit are great example of its use:

function redirect(string $uri): never {
    header('Location: ' . $uri);
    exit();
}
 
function redirectToLoginPage(): never {
    redirect('/login');
}

Never declared function should satisfy three conditions:

• It shouldn’t have the return statement defined explicitly
• It must end its execution with an exit statement (explicitly or implicitly).
• Also, it shouldn’t have the return statement defined implicitly (e.g. if-else statements).

never Return type shares lots of similarities with void return type. It ensures that the function or method doesn’t return a value. But it differs by stricter rules. For instance, void– declared function can still return without explicit value, but you can’t do the same with never-declared function.

Also, never is defined as a “bottom” type. So any class method declared never can “never” change its return type to else. But you can extend void declared method with never declared method.

7. New MYSQLI_REFRESH_REPLICA Constant-

PHP 8.1 adds a new constant called MYSQLI_REFRESH_REPLICA. It is like existing MYSQLI_REFRESH_SLAVE constant. This change was introduced in MySQL 8.0.23 to address racial insensitivity in tech vocabulary. Apps and programmers can still use the older constant.

8. First-Class Callable Syntax-

https://solaceinfotech.com/blog/whats-new-in-php-8-1/