Designing with Cosmos React
Cosmos React offers early adopters a new low-code paradigm for developing applications quickly by using out-of-the-box components and behaviors. This still-expanding framework creates products that require less maintenance and upgrade effort, but supports a narrower feature set and requires a slightly different approach to development when compared to Theme Cosmos.
Cosmos React is an opinionated framework that promotes ready-to-use low-maintenance solutions. Consequently, some classic Pega Platform components work differently in Cosmos React. The following table lists some of the changes to the design process:
| Component | Change in Cosmos React | Best practice |
| Custom controls and JSP | For consistency and maintainability, the application does not support custom code. | Use fields in views. The system pairs the field automatically with an optimal out-of-the box control. |
| Editable data pages | The application removes editable data pages at the end of a requestor life cycle. | Use saveable data pages. |
| Live editing | Cosmos React applications do not include the Design button and do not support live editing. | Use App Studio to build and edit views. |
| Reports and report browser | Cosmos React do not support complex reporting features with sub-reports and joins. | Use the Explore Data landing page and Insights. |
| Sections and harnesses | Cosmos React supports template-based views that you design in App Studio. You cannot edit views in Dev Studio. | Use App Studio to build and edit views. |
| Styles, skins, and custom CSS | To maintain consistency, Cosmos React applications rely on the Cosmos design system for styling. | Use styling tools in App Studio. |
| Temporary pages | Cosmos React architecture is stateless, so it does not support temporary pages. | Use data pages for populating data. |
- UI architecture comparison
Pega Platform version 8.6 introduces Cosmos React, a modernized UI architecture that uses ReactJS libraries to create a new run time. Cosmos React offers superior efficiency and responsiveness, but supports a narrower feature set than the default architecture of Theme Cosmos. By understanding the limitations of either framework, you can better meet your business needs.
- Best practices for using Cosmos React in new and existing applications
Cosmos React is an exciting UI framework that offers improved performance, interactivity and response time. As a new and still-expanding architecture, it offers a narrower feature set than the section-based Theme Cosmos UI. By familiarizing yourself with best practices for the use of Cosmos React, you can make the best UI choice for your business.
- Feature limitations in Cosmos React
While fully production-ready, the Cosmos React architecture is an expanding product that is best suited to early adopters. Consequently, the framework does not support some classic Pega Platform features. By understanding the feature set of the new framework, you can make better choices about your UI.
- Tools for debugging Cosmos React
Identify issues in the Cosmos React UI more conveniently by using recommended tools and techniques. Debugging helps you adjust your application to make it issue-free and easier to maintain.
Previous topic Cosmos React (early adopter) Next topic UI architecture comparison