Project 02 Sprint 2 MVP Vertical Slice Scalemailted CSCI4208-Portfolio-2025

Hey guys! Let's dive into Project 02 Sprint 2, focusing on delivering that MVP (Minimum Viable Product) vertical slice. This sprint is all about building a functional, end-to-end feature within our application. We're aiming for a solid foundation that showcases how data flows from input to state management and finally to the rendered output. Think of it as constructing a mini-application within our larger project, ensuring all the core components work seamlessly together.

Our primary goal here is to ship a running SPA (Single Page Application) skeleton. This means we need a functional application shell capable of handling user interactions and displaying information dynamically. This involves constructing the basic structure of our application, setting up routing and view management, and implementing a central store for managing application state. The key is to build something that demonstrates the core functionality without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

🎯 Task Breakdown

Let's break down the task into smaller, more manageable chunks. This will help us stay organized and ensure we cover all the necessary ground. Remember, our objective is to create a cohesive vertical slice, so each component needs to integrate smoothly with the others.

1. Single-Page Shell with Router/View Manager + Central Store

First up, we need to build the single-page application shell. This involves setting up the basic structure of our SPA, ensuring smooth transitions between different views, and implementing a centralized store for managing application state. This is the backbone of our application, so it’s crucial to get it right.

Setting Up the SPA Shell

The SPA shell is the foundation of our application. It's the core structure that holds everything together. We need to choose a framework or library that suits our needs – think React, Angular, or Vue.js. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so pick one that aligns with your team's expertise and the project requirements. Once you've chosen your framework, you'll need to set up the basic project structure, including routing, view management, and state management.

Router and View Manager

The router and view manager are responsible for handling navigation within our SPA. They allow users to move between different views or sections of the application without requiring a full page reload. This is what gives SPAs their snappy, responsive feel. We'll need to define routes for different parts of our application and ensure that the correct view is displayed when a user navigates to a specific route. This might involve using a library like React Router or Angular Router, depending on the framework we've chosen.

Central Store Implementation

A central store is where we manage the application's state. It's a single source of truth for all the data our application needs. This makes it easier to manage and update data, as well as ensuring that different parts of the application stay in sync. Libraries like Redux, Vuex, or the Context API in React can help us implement a central store. The store will hold data like user information, application settings, and any other data that needs to be shared across components. Proper state management is crucial for building a maintainable and scalable application.

2. ≥3 Domain Classes; ≥6 ES Modules; Retry/Backoff + AbortController

Next, we need to define at least three domain classes, ensure we have at least six ES modules, and implement retry/backoff logic along with AbortController where relevant. This step focuses on the architecture and robustness of our application.

Defining Domain Classes

Domain classes represent the core concepts in our application's domain. Think of them as the building blocks of our data model. For example, if we're building a task management application, our domain classes might include Task, Project, and User. Each class should have properties that describe its attributes and methods that define its behavior. Defining clear and well-structured domain classes is essential for creating a maintainable and understandable codebase. This also helps in organizing the application logic and data in a cohesive manner.

Structuring with ES Modules

ES modules are a way to organize our code into reusable, modular pieces. They allow us to import and export functions, classes, and variables between different files. This makes our code easier to understand, maintain, and test. We need to ensure that our application is structured using at least six ES modules. This might involve splitting our code into modules for different components, services, or utilities. Proper modularization is key to building a scalable and maintainable application. ES modules help us avoid global scope pollution and make our code more predictable.

Implementing Retry/Backoff Logic

Retry/backoff logic is crucial for handling network requests that might fail temporarily. For example, if we're fetching data from an API and the server is temporarily unavailable, we don't want our application to simply fail. Instead, we can implement retry logic that automatically retries the request after a delay. The backoff part means that the delay between retries increases each time, preventing us from overwhelming the server with requests. This is particularly important for building resilient applications that can handle network issues gracefully. Using a retry/backoff strategy makes our application more robust and user-friendly.

Using AbortController

AbortController is a powerful tool for managing asynchronous operations. It allows us to cancel ongoing requests, which is particularly useful in scenarios like user navigation or component unmounting. For example, if a user navigates away from a page while a data fetch is in progress, we can use AbortController to cancel the fetch request. This prevents unnecessary network traffic and potential errors. Implementing AbortController where relevant can significantly improve the performance and responsiveness of our application. It's a best practice for managing asynchronous operations in modern web development.

3. 30–60s GIF of Local Boot → GET → Render → PUT/POST; README MVP Section Updated

Finally, we need to create a 30–60 second GIF demonstrating the application's local boot process, a GET request, rendering the data, and a PUT/POST operation. We also need to update the README file with an MVP section. This step is all about showcasing our work and documenting the MVP features.

Creating the Demonstration GIF

The GIF is a visual representation of our application in action. It should clearly demonstrate the key features of our MVP vertical slice. We need to show the application booting locally, making a GET request to fetch data, rendering that data in the UI, and performing a PUT or POST operation to update data. This gives stakeholders a quick and easy way to understand what we've built. A well-crafted GIF can be incredibly effective in communicating the functionality of our application. Use tools like OBS Studio or similar screen recording software to capture the demonstration and convert it into a GIF.

Updating the README MVP Section

The README file is the first thing that people see when they look at our project, so it's essential to keep it up to date. We need to add an MVP section that describes the features included in our vertical slice. This should include a brief overview of the application, instructions on how to run it locally, and a description of the key functionalities demonstrated in the GIF. A clear and concise README makes it easier for others to understand and use our application. It's also a great way to document our progress and highlight the achievements of the sprint. Remember to include details about the technologies used and any dependencies required.

📅 Due Date

This sprint is due on 2025-10-08 at 23:59:00-05:00. Make sure to manage your time effectively and prioritize the tasks to meet the deadline.

✅ Acceptance Criteria

To ensure we're all on the same page, let's recap the acceptance criteria:

• [ ] Single-page shell with router/view manager + central store.
• [ ] ≥3 domain classes; ≥6 ES modules; retry/backoff + AbortController where relevant.
• [ ] 30–60s GIF of local boot → GET → render → PUT/POST; README MVP section updated.

These criteria define what we need to deliver to consider the sprint successful. Make sure to review them regularly and track your progress against them. Each criterion represents a key aspect of the MVP vertical slice, so addressing them comprehensively is crucial for success.

📖 Course Repository Instructions and Rubric

Don't forget to consult the course repository for detailed instructions and the rubric. The rubric outlines the grading criteria, so it's a valuable resource for ensuring we meet the required standards. The repository also contains helpful information and examples that can guide us through the sprint. It's a good idea to review these resources early in the sprint to get a clear understanding of the expectations. Pay close attention to any specific requirements or guidelines provided in the repository. Using the course repository effectively will contribute to the overall success of the project.

--- ## Key Takeaways

This sprint is all about building a functional vertical slice. We're focusing on creating a mini-application within our larger project, ensuring that data flows seamlessly from input to state management and rendering. This involves setting up the SPA shell, defining domain classes, structuring our code with ES modules, implementing retry/backoff logic, using AbortController, creating a demonstration GIF, and updating the README file. Remember, a well-structured and robust MVP is essential for showcasing the core functionality of our application. Let's work together to deliver a fantastic MVP vertical slice by the due date! Good luck, guys, and let's make this sprint a success!