Key Benefits of Dynamic Bundles for ASP.Net MVC

Microsoft released MVC as an extension framework for ASP.Net. As one of the three ASP.Net programming models, the MVC framework enables programmers to create web applications using the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern. So ASP.Net MVC is used widely by programmers to effectuate the development and maintenance of large websites or web applications by keeping the business logic and presentation separate. Along with being lightweight and highly testable, the framework further allows developers to exercise full control over HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

But when the websites grows in size and complexity, the administrators have to explore efficient ways to maintain the website. The developers can effectuate the website maintenance by using DisplayTemplates, EditorTemplates, partial views and similar components. However, they still need to organize the HTML, CSS, images and JavaScript in a structured way. They must clearly define the dependencies between HTML, CSS and JavaScript to make them used by the partials perfectly.

The programmers are further required to relocate the CSS, JavaScript and images according to the HTML they support. The related HTML, CSS, JavaScript and images must be stored in the same directory. Also, the view directory of a specific controller will contain the assets that support all pages in it. Likewise, the assets shared throughout the site have to be located inside a top level directory. The rearrangement of assets will result in the creation of additional CSS and JavaScript files, which will make it difficult to create MVC bundles.

Therefore, ASP.Net programmers use Dynamic Bundles to generate the bundles dynamically when the page loads. Dynamic Bundles are designed as an extension of the MVC bundles and Razor view engine. They ensure that the right CSS and JavaScript files are loaded in the proper order each time the page loads. The caching further helps in minimizing the server overhead. On the whole, Dynamic Bundles make it easier for web programmer to improve the code reusability and maintainability of ASP.Net MVC applications.

Key Advantages of Dynamic Bundles for ASP.Net MVC Applications

Co-Locate Related Assets in the Same Directory

As noted earlier, to effectuate the maintenance of large websites the JavaScript and CSS files needs to organized according to their HTML dependency. Dynamic Bundles clearly expose the dependencies, and co-locate the HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and image files in the same directory. While co-locating the assets, the Bundles check their relevance and need as part of the page or component, instead of their types.

Auto-generated

The classic ASP.Net MVC requires programmers to create and maintain the bundles. But Dynamic Bundles can be generated automatically. Despite being loaded automatically, the Bundles ensure that the right CSS and JavaScript files are loaded in the right order.

Load Only Required CSS and JavaScript Files

While using classic ASP.net MVC, programmers have to locate the CSS and JavaScript files related to a specific page or component in the same directory. So it becomes essential to organize the assets by creating hidden dependencies. But Dynamic Bundles automatically located the related assets in the same directory. They further include a view engine that allows users to store the layout files and partial views in their own directories.

Optimize Client-Side Caching

As the CSS and JavaScript files can be split according to components, it becomes easier for programmers to keep these files small and focused. The Dynamic Bundles are effective in combining these files into bundles based on layout, controller, shared or area. The client-side caching optimization results in increasing the speed and performance of the website.

Do not Require Recompilation

While updating a website, developers often add or delete HTML, CSS and JavaScript files. When using classis ASP.Net MVC, programmers have to recompile the site each time any asset is added or deleted. But Dynamic Bundles enables developers to add or delete files without recompiling the site. As the new bundles are generated automatically, it will not have any impact on the website’s performance.

In nutshell, Dynamic Bundles can be used to improve the performance of web applications developed with Classic ASP.Net MVC. It further helps developers in maintaining the ASP.Net MVC website smoothly despite the increase in its size and complexity. You can get in touch with a custom .NET development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide .NET application development services. If you would like to hire ASP.NET developers for your development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.