Today, businesses are adopting multi-vendor platforms such as Microsoft SharePoint to streamline work and business collaboration as the digital landscape continues to evolve.
SharePoint has a wide collection of services and tools and sharepoint consultant has wide knowledge to meet different business requirements.
It is just as important to know development methodologies for the purpose of maximizing productivity.
Businesses operate depending on four development methodologies: Farm Solutions, SharePoint's Sandbox Solutions, SharePoint Add-ins, and the SharePoint Framework. Let’s break down each one and understand.
Farm Solutions
Farm Solutions was the first SharePoint customization model when representative in 2001. It gained prominence with the introduction of MOSS in 2007.
This model revolves around the deployment of managed custom code on the farm share point servers directly.
It utilizes the server-side object model for interaction. Collaborating with an experienced SharePoint consultant can unlock the full potential of SharePoint development for your organization.
The developers package related files and XML into assemblies, which then into a solution package. When the package is deployed, it needs to have a .wsp extension.
The deployment can only take place with the approval of the farm administrator, as the packages must first be uploaded to the farm’s solution store.
It is important to note that Farm Solutions works using unrestricted access, which means their data can be used freely without any environmental restrictions.
Pros of Farm Solutions:
Extensive Customizations: Full access to server-side object models means wider customization
Broad Scope: No collection site, web application, or farm site is off-limits.
Consideration:
Stability Risks: Erroneous code can lead to a compromised SharePoint farm's serenity.
Shallow Cloud Integration: Most suitable for these deployments on-site rather than SharePoint online options.
Sandbox Solutions
Modern SharePoint development relies on innovative tools and frameworks, and a knowledgeable SharePoint consultant can help you leverage these effectively.
In an attempt to improve the flaws within Farm Solutions, Microsoft created Sandbox Solutions.
This system offers deploying custom code, but with limited access to the environment so that any potential damage stays contained.
All actions that could compromise the stability of the farm are not allowed within a sandbox's Controlled Environment. It is a solution for scenarios in which site collection administrators wish to implement specific tasks allowance for the solution is given, but without the ability to perform other admin tasks on the farm.
Pros of Sandbox Solutions:
- Higher Security: Restricted delegation limits damage to the environment.
- Delegated Deployment: Collection administrators can deploy solutions with no need of aid from the farm administrator.
Concerns:
Limited Functionality: The calm environment will not allow for most needed features.
Use Not Allowed in SharePoint Online: Microsoft has put restrictions on the use of Sandbox Solutions due to removed environments within SharePoint Online so the application is useless in cloud situations.
SharePoint Add-ins
As modern businesses progressed, the need to do with it led Microsoft to Sustainable and Cloud-oriented customizations which is an Add-in model. Add-ins are standalone applications that function with SharePoint and do not require any custom code to be added to the server.
This article includes the final two types of Sharepoint Add-ins which are SharePoint Framework (SPFx) and Sharepoint Hosted Add-ins, along with their advantages, disadvantages, and characteristics.
There are two main types of add-ins on SharePoint:
SharePoint-hosted Add-ins that are embedded within the SharePoint environment and make use of client-side technologies, for example, JavaScript.
Provider-hosted Add-ins that are capable of utilizing server-side code. As these add-ins are hosted outside of SharePoint, they are accessible via APIs.
SharePoint adds one's activities include the following –
Customizations within Add-ins cannot impact the core SharePoint environment, providing the benefit of isolation.
The Cloud is ideal for these add-ins as they are designed for cloud deployment, especially on SharePoint Online.
With benefits come disadvantages such as the following:
- Provider-hosted ads can increase complexity due to the external hosting requirements, introducing the risk of complexity towards hosting.
- Performance Considerations are also a factor depending on the particular hosting environment.
SharePoint Framework
SPFx is the latest framework by Microsoft, which focuses on development on the client side. Its primary characteristic is loose coupling with modern web technologies.
This means that developers can build components that are mobile-friendly and responsive easily using popular frameworks such as Angular, React, and Vue.js.
A key advantage of SPFx is that the solution is maintained on the browser in context with the current user and connection, allowing for strengthening of user experience.
Advantages of SPFx:
- SPFx’s modern development practices improves users effectiveness when combined with other popular javascript frameworks.
- User experience is further increased with the implementation of SPFx through the creation of more appealing, responsive, and dynamic interfaces.
Considerations:
- Development strategies: Developers used to traditional server-based development will need time to get familiar with client-side approaches.
- Dependencies on Browsers: SPFx solutions, being a client-side framework, are dependent on browser speed and ability to run the client.
Final Remarks
Choosing the right SharePoint development approach in an organization is always key to fulfilling organizational goals and technical needs.
Farm Solutions have strong adoption capabilities, but some inherent risks limit their usage to on-premises deployments. Sandbox Solutions are faster to deploy and safer but offer less than ideal adoption hopes.
SharePoint Add-ins and the SharePoint Framework are born out of the need to properly develop features these days – scalability, security, and usability above all. Choose a SharePoint consultant to guide you and bless your business.