With the evolution of mobile devices, developing Web applications has become increasing difficult. Today, billions of users have access to the Web through tablets, smartphones and other devices. This boom in Internet access and mobile devices has introduced new device capabilities, input methods, screen sizes and platforms, creating new obstacles for developers making Web apps.
To help developers get over the hurdles of modern Web development, Google has built Web Fundamentals, a comprehensive resource for best modern Web development practices.
(Related: Nontechnical pitfalls to mobile development)
“Web Fundamentals’ guidelines are intended to be fundamental to the platform: useful no matter which framework you choose or which browser your users run,” Paul Kinlan, developer advocate at Google, wrote on the company’s blog.
Web Fundamentals will provide guidelines for:
• Multi-device tools: setting up an environment, building your site, and types of testing
• Multi-device layouts: Responsive Web Design basics, Responsive Web Design patterns, and navigation and action patterns
• Forms and user input: creating forms and add touch to your site
• Images, audio and video
• Optimizing performance: optimizing the critical rendering path and optimizing content efficiency
• Device access: user location and click to call
On top of Web Fundamentals, Google also announced the beta release of Web Starter Kit, designed to help apply the best practices in new projects. The kit provides a responsive layout, a visual style guide and optional workflow features.
“Looking ahead, we’ll be adding new content and working with the web development community to refine our advice,” Kinlan wrote. “We look forward to a more modern, multi-device Web!”
