Boost OrbitalSim With ComplexTable: A React Component Refactor

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Boost OrbitalSim with ComplexTable: A React Component Refactor

Hey everyone, let's dive into a cool project: refactoring the Table component in our OrbitalSim widget. We're aiming to modernize how we handle tabular data, improve accessibility, and ensure our code is consistent across the epo-react-lib codebase. Basically, we're giving the OrbitalSim a facelift, making it more efficient and user-friendly. So, grab a coffee (or your favorite beverage), and let's get started!

The Current State of Affairs: Why the Refactor?

So, what's the deal with our current Table component? Well, it's built using the good ol' <table> HTML tags. While tables are great for displaying data in a structured way, modern web development best practices lean towards using CSS grids for layout purposes. The goal is to improve the overall design and functionality of the application. Our team is all about mobile-friendliness and accessibility. Table components are great since it supports ARIA. They help screen readers and other assistive technologies navigate the data more effectively. But here's the kicker: Our existing Table component relies on react-md and SASS for styling. We're moving away from SASS towards CSS Modules. This will help maintain consistency across all our epo-react-lib components. It's like giving everything a fresh coat of paint, but making sure the color matches throughout the house.

The Importance of Accessibility

Accessibility is not just a buzzword; it's a core principle. Making our OrbitalSim accessible means that everyone can use it, regardless of their abilities. This includes people with visual impairments who rely on screen readers. Semantic HTML tables with proper ARIA attributes provide the necessary context for screen readers to interpret the data correctly. Using CSS Modules ensures that our styles are scoped and don't conflict with other parts of the application. The goal is to create a seamless user experience for everyone. So, accessibility is a big win for everyone.

Why CSS Modules?

We're making the switch to CSS Modules to keep everything consistent in the epo-react-lib codebase. CSS Modules help us write modular and maintainable styles by scoping our CSS to individual components. This prevents style conflicts and makes it easier to manage and update our styles. The change to the CSS Modules is to ensure code cleanliness. This makes it easier for other developers to understand and contribute to our projects.

Diving into the Task: Refactoring the Table Component

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Our main task is to refactor the Table component in the OrbitalSim to use either the SimpleTable or the ComplexTable component from epo-react-lib. This is the core of our refactoring project. Then, we need to migrate the styling to CSS Modules. This will involve updating how the component is rendered and how the styles are applied.

Choosing the Right Component: SimpleTable vs. ComplexTable

SimpleTable is suitable for displaying straightforward tabular data. ComplexTable offers more advanced features like sorting, filtering, and pagination. In this case, we'll need to evaluate the requirements of the OrbitalDetails component. Do we need these advanced features, or will a simple table suffice? If we want sorting, filtering, and pagination, then we go for the ComplexTable. It gives us more flexibility. If we need something straightforward, then SimpleTable is the best choice.

Migrating Styling to CSS Modules

This involves creating CSS Modules files and importing them into our component. CSS Modules helps create a clean and organized code. We'll replace the existing SASS styles with CSS Modules. Then we will ensure everything looks the same. The process includes:

  1. Creating CSS Modules files. These files will contain our component's styles.
  2. Importing the CSS Modules into our component. This allows us to use the styles.
  3. Applying the styles to the component's elements. We will use the class names defined in our CSS Modules files.

Step-by-Step Refactor

  1. Analyze the current Table component: Understand how it's structured, how it's used in OrbitalDetails, and what styles are applied.
  2. Choose the appropriate epo-react-lib component: Decide between SimpleTable and ComplexTable based on the features needed.
  3. Replace the existing Table component: Remove the old component and integrate the chosen epo-react-lib component.
  4. Create CSS Modules: Write the CSS styles for the new component, ensuring they match the original design or desired improvements.
  5. Apply CSS Modules: Import the CSS Modules and apply the styles to the component's elements.
  6. Test thoroughly: Make sure the component functions correctly. Ensure it looks the way we want it to, and is accessible.

Benefits of the Refactor

Refactoring the Table component brings several advantages, making our code cleaner and more efficient. The improved user experience is key. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Improved Accessibility: Using semantic HTML tables with ARIA support ensures that the data is accessible to all users, including those who use assistive technologies.
  • Consistent Styling: Migrating to CSS Modules ensures that our styles are consistent across all epo-react-lib components, making the codebase easier to maintain and understand.
  • Enhanced Maintainability: Using CSS Modules helps prevent style conflicts, making it easier to update and maintain our styles.
  • Modern Practices: Adopting CSS grids (where appropriate) and CSS Modules aligns with modern web development best practices.

Code Example: Implementing ComplexTable with CSS Modules

Here’s a simplified example of how we might implement the ComplexTable with CSS Modules:

// OrbitalDetails.jsx
import React from 'react';
import { ComplexTable } from 'epo-react-lib';
import styles from './OrbitalDetails.module.css';

const OrbitalDetails = ({ data }) => {
  const columns = [
    { header: 'Property', accessor: 'property' },
    { header: 'Value', accessor: 'value' },
  ];

  return (
    <div className={styles.orbitalDetailsContainer}>
      <ComplexTable columns={columns} data={data} />
    </div>
  );
};

export default OrbitalDetails;

/* OrbitalDetails.module.css */
.orbitalDetailsContainer {
  width: 100%;
  padding: 20px;
}

In this example, we import ComplexTable and a CSS Module file (OrbitalDetails.module.css). We then apply the styles from the CSS Module to a container element. The ComplexTable component handles the rendering of the table. It also handles the accessibility.

Testing and Quality Assurance

After refactoring, it's critical to test thoroughly to ensure everything works as expected. This involves:

  1. Manual Testing: Checking the component in various browsers and devices to ensure the layout and functionality are correct.
  2. Accessibility Testing: Using tools like screen readers and accessibility checkers to make sure the component is accessible.
  3. Automated Testing: Writing unit and integration tests to verify the component's behavior.

Conclusion: A More Modern and Accessible OrbitalSim

By refactoring the Table component, we're making the OrbitalSim more modern, accessible, and maintainable. This helps to ensure a solid foundation for the project. The transition to ComplexTable (or SimpleTable) and CSS Modules improves the overall code quality. It also makes it easier for the team to collaborate and make future updates. This also makes the application more accessible to everyone. We will enhance the user experience and ensure that the OrbitalSim remains a valuable tool for our users. By taking these steps, we're not just improving the code; we're also making the OrbitalSim better for everyone.

Let's get those refactors done, guys!