# Essential Checklist Before Integrating a Library into Your Application
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Understanding the Costs of Library Integration
When it comes to integrating libraries into your applications, it's crucial to recognize that they are not without their costs, especially over time.
The New Landscape of Mobile Development
Recently, Apple made waves in the iOS development community by requiring app creators to include libraries in their Privacy Manifest. This has created challenges, particularly since some libraries lack a Privacy Manifest, potentially hindering app updates post-May 1st.
In the Android space, while changes have yet to be finalized, the introduction of an SDK framework known as SDK Runtime is being considered. This framework aims to validate the security of libraries before they are incorporated into apps.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Checklist
Given these developments, it's essential to remember that relying on libraries incurs certain expenses. Conducting thorough research before integration is vital.
I previously shared my insights on Reddit regarding a potential checklist, which received positive feedback. I will elaborate on those points here for better clarity.
Assessing Business Impact
First and foremost, it's essential to evaluate whether the library is critical to your core business functions. For instance, if you're building a chess application that utilizes an AI library for its chess engine, you've created a dependency that is vital to the app's operation.
This leads to the next important question: What will be the implications if you need to detach from this library? If the AI library becomes obsolete or introduces exorbitant costs, do you have a contingency plan, or could it threaten the viability of your chess application?
Transparency in Library Usage
It's mandatory to list all libraries your app depends on, alongside their respective licenses, in your app's licensing declaration. If you prefer not to disclose any library usage, it may be best to avoid using that library altogether.
Understanding Financial Implications
While it’s unlikely to overlook a paid library, be wary of those that offer limited features for free and charge for full functionality. Such situations can lead to complicated dependencies.
Evaluating Library Functionality
For developers, the library's functionality is paramount. Consider the following:
- Is this library something you can't implement or manage yourself? The goal is to avoid spending time on non-core tasks and to leverage existing solutions where feasible. However, avoid outsourcing tasks you can handle to maintain control.
- Does it fulfill all your requirements? Initial assessments might indicate a library meets your needs, only to reveal limitations later. For example, a UI slider might work well initially but may not satisfy design specifications.
- Is the library stable (in production) or still under development? Beware of libraries labeled as version 0.x, as they may require significant adjustments upon reaching version 1.0.
- Is it developer-friendly, reliable, and performant? Avoid libraries that require excessive configuration or have a tendency to cause memory leaks and crashes. Testing is crucial.
- Does it provide adequate documentation and a clear API design? Without good documentation, users may struggle to use the library effectively, leading to confusion.
- Can it be customized for future needs? The library should be adaptable to potential changes, such as rebranding.
- Does it offer more functionality than necessary? While flexibility is good, unnecessary features can bloat your app's size.
- Can it facilitate staging and testing? It’s vital to thoroughly test the library to ensure it meets your requirements without hindering your own code testing.
Long-Term Maintainability
Relying on a library may seem like a quick solution, but long-term maintainability could entail hidden costs.
- How popular and widely adopted is the library? Popularity often indicates quality, as libraries with a large user base have been extensively tested.
- Is it managed by a reputable group or organization? A library maintained by an unknown developer may lack ongoing support. In contrast, an established organization is likely to provide consistent updates.
- Can you debug it? Access to logs or source code is invaluable for troubleshooting issues.
- Does it have robust support? Having responsive developers or a supportive community can be crucial if you encounter challenges.
- Is there a local team responsible for maintaining it? Without a dedicated custodian, a library can be forgotten or become outdated.