Salesforce has announced Lightning Web Components, a programming model that makes it easy for JavaScript developers to code on the Lightning Platform.
This standards-based programming model gives developers freedom to use the tools they love to build components, or reusable building blocks for creating Lightning apps and experiences. By using Lightning Web Components in conjunction with other Lightning developer services and low-code tools, organizations can better utilize all of their existing developer and admin resources to collaboratively build high-performing web experiences.
Shifting to a Standards-Based Model
Widely considered one of the core technologies that power the internet, JavaScript is used in 95 percent of all websites, and IDC estimates there are 7.04 million full-time developers using JavaScript worldwide. However, there remains a massive shortage of developer talent today. Research shows there are approximately 250,000 unfilled developer jobs in the U.S. alone.
This underscores the importance of JavaScript and other standards-based approaches, as they empower companies to leverage existing skills rather than be forced to seek out developers versed in platform-specific languages.
Lightning Web Components: Standards-Based, High-Performing, Easy to Use
Lightning Web Components empowers any JavaScript developer to build on the Lightning Platform with skills they have and in languages they are familiar with, and includes a standards-based component authoring format, compiler and rendering engine.
Features include:
Standardized for enhanced productivity: Lightning Web Components uses the modern language of the web, and with support for ES6+, developers can use the most modern JavaScript features like classes, modules and imports.
Engineered for performance: With Lightning Web Components, more of the code is executed natively by the browser instead of JavaScript abstractions, leading to faster component performance and a better overall end-user experience.
Compatible and easy to use: Lightning Web Components can run side-by-side with Aura Components (Aura is the existing programming model, built by Salesforce in 2015) and, once created, can be similarly leveraged by admins and business users to create and customize apps with clicks, not code.
Lightning Combines Developer Services and Low-Code Tools To Drive Innovation
The Lightning Platform already includes a host of other powerful developer services to quickly implement enterprise app capabilities including Lightning Data Service, Lightning Locker and the Base Lightning Components, a library of more than 70 building blocks that accelerate app development. In addition, by combining Lightning Web Components with the broader Lightning Platform capabilities — including pro-code tools like Salesforce DX; low-code solutions like Lightning App Builder and Lightning Flow; and enterprise services like Salesforce Einstein and Salesforce IoT — companies can build large-scale customer experiences, extend the functionality of CRM, create apps for specific departments ranging from HR to finance, and more.
Availability
Lightning Web Components will be generally available in February 2019 and will run in any Salesforce org. To create a Lightning Web Component, customers will need an Enterprise, Unlimited, Performance or Developer Edition org.
