3 min Devops

Pega improves front-end of applications with move to React

Pega improves front-end of applications with move to React

Pegasystems announces many new features and updates to its Infinity software today at its PegaWorld iNspire virtual event. Updates to Pega Platform are an important part of the update of Infinity to version 8.6 (available from the end of Q2). Especially the low-code capabilities get a solid update.

When we talk about low-code, it’s often about the back-end. How can you organize the processes there in such a way that you can build a functional app as quickly as possible? However, the front-end should not be forgotten either. For that, traditionally, you need a professional designer. With the low-code updates in Infinity 8.6 and Pega Platform, Pega wants to change that.

React

The most important announcement regarding application development within the Pega environment, is without a doubt the switch to React. This JavaScript library makes it possible to build better front-ends than was previously possible with Cosmos Design System. According to the company, the new applications perform up to 10 times faster. The company goes on to talk about a 75 percent reduction in payload. By this Pega is referring to how much data goes back and forth while interacting with the app. In addition to React’s greatly improved performance, new templates are also available to developers. These templates should let developers work more efficiently and accurately.

App Studio

An increase in performance of the front-end is only part of the way forward, however. It should also be as easy as possible to design the UI of applications. With reusable design templates in App Studio, that should now be possible. The idea is that while modeling and configuring an application you don’t have to worry about design and layout. It automatically adapts to new configurations. This also applies to elements that have to do with branding of your organization. You only have to set the guidelines for this once.

DX API

APIs are indispensable in application development. This intermediate layer has by now acquired an almost mythical status. You can use it to connect everything together. That in itself is true, but this does not mean that front-end and back-end are fully synchronized. In other words, if something is changed somewhere in the back-end of an application, the traditional API usually does not ensure that the change is also included in the front-end. With the DX (Digital Experience) API, Pega wants to make this possible within its platform. If you create a new field in the back-end of an application, for example, the DX API ensures that this field is also immediately visible in all front-end channels.

The new low-code capabilities within Pega Platform, as well as all other updates to Infinity 8.6 will be available to end users starting at the end of Q2.