The Simplicity and Performance of SvelteKit: A Comprehensive Guide
Tags: svelte, webdev, beginners, programming
Published: 2022-12-15 18:15:00

SvelteKit is a framework for building web applications that offers a unique approach to creating user interfaces. Unlike other popular frameworks, such as React and Angular, SvelteKit uses a compile-time approach to building user interfaces, which allows for faster performance and smaller bundle sizes.

One of the biggest advantages of SvelteKit is its simplicity. Because it uses a compile-time approach, you don't have to worry about complex concepts like virtual DOMs or change detection, which can make learning other frameworks challenging. This means that you can focus on writing your application logic and creating a great user experience without getting bogged down in technical details.

Another advantage of SvelteKit is its performance. Because it compiles your application code at build time, the resulting bundle is smaller and faster than what you would get with other frameworks. This means that your users will have a smoother and faster experience when using your application.

In terms of developer experience, SvelteKit offers a lot of features that make it easy to use. It has a simple and intuitive API, and it comes with built-in support for features like server-side rendering, code-splitting, and routing. This means that you can get up and running with a new project quickly, and you'll have access to all the tools you need to build a modern web application.

## Getting Started with SvelteKit

To set up SvelteKit for a new project, you will first need to install the svelte-cli package globally on your computer. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

```
npm install -g svelte-cli
```

Once the svelte-cli package is installed, you can use it to create a new SvelteKit project. To do this, navigate to the directory where you want to create your project, and run the following command:

```
npx degit sveltejs/sveltekit-template my-sveltekit-project
```

This will create a new directory called `my-sveltekit-project` and populate it with the files and directories needed to get started with SvelteKit.

* `package.json`: This file contains information about the project, including its dependencies and scripts.

* `src/routes`: This directory contains the application's routes, which define the different pages and URLs in the application.

* `src/components`: This directory contains the application's components, which are reusable pieces of UI that can be composed to create the application's pages.

* `src/main.js`: This file is the entry point for the application. It is where the application is configured and initialized.

* `public`: This directory contains the application's static assets, such as images and stylesheets.

* `__sapper__`: This directory contains the generated files for the application, including the server-side rendering code and the client-side bundle.

Next, navigate to the new project directory and install the project's dependencies by running the following command:

```
cd my-sveltekit-project
npm install
```

Once all the dependencies are installed, you can start the development server by running the following command:

```
npm run dev
```
This will start the development server and open a new browser window at `http://localhost:5000`.

## Create a Sveltekit component

To create a new Svelte component in a `SvelteKit` project, you can create a new file with a `.svelte` extension in the `src/components` directory, for example `Button.svelte`:

```html
<style>
  button {
    border-radius: 10px;
    transition: background-color 0.3s;
  }
  button:hover {
    background-color: #eee;
  }
</style>

{#if showMessage}
  <span>Hello, world!</span>
{/if}

<button on:click={() => showMessage = true}>
  Click me!
</button>

```

> * The `<style>` tag in the code defines the styles that will be applied to elements in the component. In this case, the `button` element will have a `border-radius` of 10 pixels and a transition effect that smoothly changes its background-color when it is hovered over.

> * The `{#if showMessage}` and `{/if}` tags are part of Svelte's templating language, which allows the developer to conditionally render a block of markup based on the value of the `showMessage` variable. In this case, if `showMessage` is true, the `<span>` element will be rendered to the page with the text "Hello, world!"

> * The `on:click` attribute on the `<button>` element is another part of Svelte's templating language, which allows the developer to attach event handlers to elements. In this case, when the button is clicked, the `showMessage` variable will be set to true, causing the `<span>` element to be rendered to the page.

## How to use a svelteKit component

In any other Svelte component that you want to use the `Button` component in, you can import it using the import statement and then use it like any other Svelte component:

```html
<!-- Other component file -->

<script>
  import Button from './Button.svelte';
</script>

<Button />
```

When you save the file and refresh the browser, the `Button` should be rendered on the page. You can then interact with it by clicking the button, which will cause the message to appear.

If you want to use the `Button` component inside the **`src/App.svelte`** file, you can do it like this:

```html
<!-- src/App.svelte -->

<script>
  import Button from './components/Button.svelte';
</script>

<main>
  <!-- Other app markup -->

  <Button />
</main>
```

> The App component is a simple Svelte component that contains some default markup and styles, as well as a `<router>` component that is used to handle routing in your application. You can modify the App component to suit your needs, or you can replace it with your own root component if desired.

## The main.js file

The `src/main.js` file is the entry point for your `SvelteKit` application, so it is responsible for rendering the root component of your app and attaching it to the DOM. By default, the `src/main.js` file will contain the following code:

```javascript
// src/main.js

import App from './App.svelte';

const app = new App({
  target: document.body,
});

export default app;
```

> This code imports the `App` component from the `./App.svelte` file, creates a new instance of the `App` component, and then attaches it to the `<body>` element on the page. This will render the `App` component on the page when the application is loaded.

## Is SvelteKit the Best Choice for Learning in 2023?

So is `SvelteKit` the best choice for learning in 2023? It really depends on your goals and preferences. If you're new to web development and you want to learn a framework that is simple and easy to understand, then `SvelteKit` is a great option. It will help you get started quickly, and you'll be able to focus on building your application without getting bogged down in technical details.

On the other hand, if you're an experienced web developer and you're looking for a framework that is powerful and flexible, then you might want to consider other options. `SvelteKit` is still a relatively new framework, and it may not have all the features and capabilities that you need for your project.

Overall, `SvelteKit` is a great framework for building web applications, and it offers a lot of advantages for developers who are looking for a simple and performant way to create user interfaces. Whether or not it is the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, but it is definitely worth considering if you're starting a new project in 2023.