Overview
The article discusses the development of a next-generation forms framework at LinkedIn aimed at improving the efficiency and scalability of profile edit forms. It highlights the challenges of the previous implementations and how the new framework significantly reduces code footprint and enhances execution speed.
What You'll Learn
1
How to implement a generic forms framework to reduce code footprint
2
Why using view-based models can enhance form scalability
3
How to leverage internal UI libraries for consistent design
4
When to adopt a new framework for form flows across applications
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Understanding of form design patterns and frameworks
- Familiarity with LinkedIn’s internal UI library (Art Deco)(optional)
Key Questions Answered
What were the main issues with LinkedIn's existing forms implementation?
The existing forms implementation at LinkedIn suffered from an unstructured code base, leading to duplication and inconsistent user experiences across platforms. Each form had a unique implementation, resulting in challenges with scalability and feature parity.
How does the new forms framework improve execution speed?
The new forms framework drastically reduces the code footprint by 80% and increases execution speed by approximately 6X for new forms and 12X for updates to existing forms, streamlining the process of form management across LinkedIn.
What is the role of view-based models in the new framework?
View-based models allow for a generic frontend implementation that abstracts data and use case specifics, addressing issues of feature parity and code duplication while supporting various form input types.
How does LinkedIn's internal UI library contribute to the forms framework?
LinkedIn's internal UI library, Art Deco, provides a consistent design system that standardizes the look and feel of forms, enabling the implementation of a generic framework that adheres to design guidelines across all frontend clients.
Key Statistics & Figures
Code footprint reduction
80%
The new framework reduces the amount of code needed for form implementations.
Execution speed increase for new forms
6X
The new framework significantly speeds up the execution of new form submissions.
Execution speed increase for updates to existing forms
12X
Updating existing forms is now much faster with the new framework.
Technologies & Tools
Frontend
Art Deco
Used as an internal UI library to standardize the design of forms across LinkedIn.
Key Actionable Insights
1Implement a generic forms framework to streamline form management across applications.This approach reduces code duplication and enhances scalability, making it easier to manage forms across different LinkedIn services.
2Leverage view-based models to enhance the flexibility of form implementations.By abstracting data specifics, teams can create a single implementation that supports various use cases, reducing the need for multiple unique forms.
3Utilize internal UI libraries to maintain design consistency.Adopting a shared design system like Art Deco ensures that all forms across platforms have a uniform look and feel, improving user experience.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to standardize form implementations can lead to inconsistent user experiences.
Without a unified framework, different teams may create forms that look and behave differently, confusing users and complicating maintenance.
Related Concepts
Form Design Patterns
UI Consistency
Scalable Frameworks
Frontend Development Best Practices