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0 pointsSamyPesse12y ago0 comments

Hr is like a backbone-on-steroids, it uses the same code structure: models/collections/views but also brings a base structure and a build system for the application using require.js, less, etc.

The build system brings more consistency to the application: dev or prod mode, code optimization, resources management, logging, caching, etc.

The concepts inherited from Backbone are also evolved: - models are not just key->value (models in Hr could be really complex) - joints between models - views can used templates and sub-components - better events management for classes - and a lot more

(Sorry for my english, I'm french)

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7 comments · 2 top-level

calebgilbert12y ago· 3 in thread

What I really like is that hr.js isn't built on Backbone, it rather is highly-inspired by it. That's a BIG advantage over things like Marionette/Chaplin/etc, because Backbone has certain holes/assumptions (see my comment elsewhere) which cannot be completely negated in an elegant/simple way, or even at all. Overriding the heck out of everything, or adding a gazillion new classes/sub-classes, or tossing the original component is not simple and elegant when done on a grand scale, imho.

This is to say that hr.js seems to be offering more out-of-the-box solutions and flexibility than Marionette/Chaplin/etc, while being a lot cleaner and more straightforward as well. Good on you hr.js :)

SamyPesseOP12y ago

Before building HappyRhino, I tried a lot to improve Backbone because we were using it for building FriendCode (friendco.de) but the code base of Backbone is really not modular and hard to extend (the all backbone code is in one unique file, model/view/collection don't inherit from a "class", etc...)

thenerdfiles12y ago

Yes, I ran into this problem as well when building the first version (0.0.1) of ePantry (epantry.com).

I had a 3,000 line CoffeeScript file with 5-6 Backbone Models, matching Collections, things called "MicroViews" and "AdHocViews". It got heavy really fast.

Thankfully I am a vim'er. But I'm not sure if my use of vim engendered this or was the effect of all of Backbone's lack of modularity. Then again, there's the ultimate question of: What is a Module? (Is it material JS files or is it what is loved into the memory states of the Browser Application?)

thenerdfiles12y ago

Also to mention: A fun name. Let's think of the Happy Rhino's Backbone for a bit.

lazerwalker12y ago· 2 in thread

If that's the case, I'd love to hear how hr differs from all of the other "backbone-on-steroids" projects like Marionette and Chaplin.

thenerdfiles12y ago

Agreed. Marionette has been somewhat of a pain to gain consensus on in terms of application architecture (considering RequireJS integration as well).

lazerwalker12y ago

For what it's worth, it takes very little work (< 20 lines of code, IIRC) to stub out the require() function so that you can use Marionette without RequireJS. (Sadly, the project I was working on that required that wouldn't allow me to open-source that bit of glue code).

Of course, that doesn't address all the other incidental complexity you inevitably have to deal with when using Marionette.

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7 comments · 2 top-level

calebgilbert12y ago· 3 in thread

SamyPesseOP12y ago

thenerdfiles12y ago

Yes, I ran into this problem as well when building the first version (0.0.1) of ePantry (epantry.com).

I had a 3,000 line CoffeeScript file with 5-6 Backbone Models, matching Collections, things called "MicroViews" and "AdHocViews". It got heavy really fast.

thenerdfiles12y ago

Also to mention: A fun name. Let's think of the Happy Rhino's Backbone for a bit.

lazerwalker12y ago· 2 in thread

If that's the case, I'd love to hear how hr differs from all of the other "backbone-on-steroids" projects like Marionette and Chaplin.

thenerdfiles12y ago

Agreed. Marionette has been somewhat of a pain to gain consensus on in terms of application architecture (considering RequireJS integration as well).

lazerwalker12y ago

Of course, that doesn't address all the other incidental complexity you inevitably have to deal with when using Marionette.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse