Easy Eatery helps the hospitality create better websites, with purpose-built tools designed to make your café, pub, or restaurant stand out from the crowd

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Friends, fellow adventurers, lend me your ears (or eyes)! Today, we’ll take a joyride into the world of RxJS to tame the sneaky gremlin known as memory leaks. Fasten your seatbelts as we unveil the mystic arts of keeping our code clean and our spirits high. JavaScript The What: Memory Leaks, The Unseen Culprits Alright, before we dive into our detective toolkit, it’s worth taking a moment to truly understand our adversary. . They might sound like something that sprouts in your garden after a heavy downpour, but trust me, they’re a lot less fun. Memory leaks Think of your application’s memory as a high-end, all-you-can-eat buffet. Your Observables are the patrons, consuming memory instead of the latest chef’s special. Normally, they’d eat their fill (perform their operations) and then leave, making room for the next hungry Observable. All’s well in our digital eatery. But here’s where memory leaks, the sneaky critters, slink in. Imagine a patron who eats, and then sits there. And sits. And sits some more. They’re not eating anymore, but they’re taking up valuable space, preventing new patrons from getting a seat. This squatter is our memory leak. In the world of RxJS, memory leaks happen when Observables linger around in memory, long after they’ve finished their tasks. They’re no longer needed, but they stick around anyway, taking up precious space. But why is this such a big deal? Well, the more memory leaks you have, the less memory is available for the parts of your application that genuinely need it. This can lead to slower processing times, and in severe cases, can even cause your application to crash altogether. Imagine your buffet getting so crowded with non-eating patrons that there’s no room left for new customers, or even for the staff to move. Chaos ensues, orders pile up, the kitchen gets overwhelmed, and eventually, the whole place could grind to a halt. That’s the kind of digital disaster we’re looking to avoid. And armed with the right tools and know-how, it’s a disaster we’re going to sidestep with grace and style. So let’s roll up our sleeves and prepare to banish these sneaky squatters once and for all! The How: Gearing Up Against Memory Leaks Now that we’ve identified the culprit, it’s time to arm ourselves with some techy tools to prevent those notorious memory leaks in RxJS. We’ve got five tried-and-true techniques here, each ready to tackle memory leaks in its unique way. Ready? Let’s dive right in! Async Pipe: The Auto-Handler users, rejoice! If you’re using Angular, you can call in the pipe in your templates to handle subscribing and unsubscribing from Observables. Angular oversees the lifecycle of the async pipe, automatically unsubscribing when the component is destroyed. Here's a glance at how this works: Angular async <div>{{ source$ | async }}</div> In this snippet, Angular is taking the wheel, managing the Observable via the pipe and ensures the Observable isn’t left unattended, preventing any mischief. As you might have already noticed, using it requires one main condition to be met. The observable has to be rendered in the template, but this is not always the case. This brings us to the trusty ‘unsubscribe’. source$ async The Trusty Unsubscribe Unsubscribing from Observables is like finishing a good book: you close it, return it to the shelf, and then move on to the next one. And just like the end of a book, you’ve got to know when to say “that’s a wrap” to your Observables. When you subscribe to an Observable, you get back a Subscription object. And this Subscription object carries an method. You'll typically want to call this method in the lifecycle hook if you're using Angular or in the case of React ( for VueJS and etc.). Here's how you do it: unsubscribe ngOnDestroy componentWillUnmount unmounted class MyComponent implements OnDestroy {

  ...

  private subscription: Subscription;

  constructor() {
    this.subscription = source$.subscribe();
  }

  ngOnDestroy() {
    this.subscription.unsubscribe();
  }
} In this Angular snippet, we tell our Observable to halt in its tracks when we're done with it by calling . It's like giving a gentle nudge, reminding it to let go. But what if you are managing a large number of subscriptions and don’t want to write repetitive code for storing subscriptions and unsubscribing? source$ .unsubscribe() The Multi-tasking Combination of takeUntil and Subject: If you’re juggling multiple subscriptions within a component, operator with a Subject has got your back. The concept here is to create a Subject that emits a value whenever subscriptions are no longer needed, for example when the component is destroyed or some other event has happened. Then, you use on every subscription. This way, you're instructing all your Observables to wrap things up when the component is on its way out. takeUntil takeUntil(this.destroy$) class MyComponent implements OnDestroy {
  private destroy$ = new Subject<void>();

  ...

  constructor() {
    observableOne$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    observableTwo$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    ...
    observableNinetyNine$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
  }

  ngOnDestroy() {
    this.destroy$.next();
    this.destroy$.complete();
  }
} The tells , and others to keep on keeping on until sends a signal. Once it does, the game is up. No more precious memory is being taken! takeUntil observableOne$ observableTwo$ destroy$ Important to remember that it doesn’t have to happen only when the component is destroyed Here are two example cases: class MyComponent {
  private stop$ = new Subject<void>();
  ...

  constructor() {
    sourceOne$.pipe(takeUntil(this.stop$)).subscribe();
    sourceTwo$.pipe(takeUntil(this.stop$)).subscribe();
    ...
    sourceNinetyNine$.pipe(takeUntil(this.stop$)).subscribe();
  }

  onStopStreaming() {
    this.stop$.next();
    this.stop$.complete();
  }

} In the first one, is being triggered by event method. stop$ onStopStreaming() class MyComponent {
  private stop$ = new Subject<void>();
  ...

  constructor() {
    sourceOne$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    sourceTwo$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    ...
    
    finalise$.pipe(
      tap(() => this.stop$.next()),
      tap(() => this.stop$.complete())
    ).subscribe().unsubscribe();
  }

} And in the other one, it’s being triggered by another observable called . You can probably think of other use cases where this legendary combo can do the job greatly. finalise$ Auto-Complete Operators: The Effortless Unsubscribers Alright, code aficionados, let’s talk about some real gems from the world of RxJS: the auto-complete operators. These operators are like the unsung heroes of your Observable sequences, providing an effortless way to handle subscriptions and ensure graceful unsubscription. Get ready to let these operators take the wheel while you sit back and relax! I’ll cover each operator briefly and provide links where you can read more so that you don’t get too bored and eventually reach the end of an article. first() : The Early Bird First up, we have the trusty . Just like the eager early bird, it swiftly grabs the first emitted value from the Observable sequence and then gracefully completes, bidding adieu to any lingering subscriptions. It's all about getting a head start! first() elementAt() : The Precise Selection Sometimes, you need to be precise, like when you’re searching for your favorite song in a playlist (still can’t come up with a better example). The operator comes to your rescue by allowing you to select a specific element from an Observable sequence based on its index. Once that desired element is emitted, the sequence is automatically completed. It's like having a direct line to the value you want, ensuring your subscribers get exactly what they're looking for. elementAt() take() : The Limited Edition Next on the list is the versatile . Think of it as a limited edition collector's item. With , you can specify the number of values you want to pluck from the Observable sequence. Once it reaches that magic number, it gracefully exits the stage, leaving the spotlight on the chosen few. take() take() takeWhile() : The Conditional Watcher Last but not least, we have the observant . This operator acts as a watchful sentinel, keeping an eye on the values emitted by the Observable sequence. As long as a specific condition holds true, it dutifully passes the values along. But the moment the condition evaluates to false, it exits the stage with a graceful bow. takeWhile() These auto-complete operators are like your trusty sidekicks, taking care of the subscription lifecycle and ensuring you don’t have to worry about memory leaks. So go ahead, embrace the simplicity, and let these operators do the heavy lifting for you! Rock ’n’ Roll with Hot Observables But what if you have multiple subscriptions to one Observable? Here comes our next super start. Picture this: you’re at a concert and the band is jamming. Regardless of when you or other fans join in, the band doesn’t start the song over, right? The melody (data) keeps flowing! That’s the beauty of hot observables. They’re the cool rock stars of the RxJS world, belting out data, whether anyone is there to groove to it (subscribe) or not. The charm of hot observables is their easy-going nature. Their data production doesn’t care for the formalities of subscription; it’s like they’re in their own world, performing data sequences independently. This means you’re not stuck initiating a new data sequence for each new fan (subscriber). Sounds like a pretty sweet gig for memory and processing power, eh? Now, in the RxJS band, you’ve got some built-in functions like , , , , etc., that are born hot observables. But guess what? You can also turn a cold observable into a hot one using the or other similar operators ( , , , etc). Check this out: fromEvent() interval() of() timer() share() shareReplay() connect() connectable() // cold observable, chilling alone
const cold$ = new Observable((observer) => {
  observer.next(Math.random());
});

// hot observable, ready to rock
const hot$ = cold$.pipe(share());

// Fans (subscribers) join the party
const subscription1 = hot$.subscribe(val => console.log(`Fan 1: ${val}`));
const subscription2 = hot$.subscribe(val => console.log(`Fan 2: ${val}`));

setTimeout(() => {
  // A late fan gets the same experience
  const subscription3 = hot$.subscribe(val => console.log(`Fashionably late fan 3: ${val}`));
}, 1000); See what we did there? We transformed a lone, cold observable into a hot one with the operator. Now, no matter when the fans (subscribers) decide to join the party, they're jamming to the same data, reducing the need for multiple encores (executions). share() There you go, code rockstars! You’ve got the power of hot observables at your fingertips. Ready to rock ’n’ roll with memory efficiency? Let’s hit it! Let’s view a bit more boring example that is very common in daily life: getUserData() {...} // makes api request and returns user data as Observable
getUserAccounts() {...} // makes api request and returns user accounts as Observable
getUserTransactions() {...} // makes api request and returns user transactions as Observable
const user$ = getUserData();

// option 1: using cold observable 
const coldUser$ = user$; // API will be called 2 times
const userAccounts$ = coldUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserAccounts(user)));
const userTransactions$ = coldUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserTransactions(user)));

// option 2: using hot observable case
const hotUser$ = user$.pipe(share()); // API will be called once and result will be shared
const userAccounts$ = hotUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserAccounts(user)));
const userTransactions$ = hotUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserTransactions(user))); <div>{{ userAccounts$ | async }}</div>
<div>{{ userTransactions$ | async }}</div> Both and utilize a response from a common observable. The advantage of using the observable (as in option 2) is that the API for fetching user data will be called only once since there will be a single subscription, and the response will be shared. userAccounts$ userTransactions$ hotUser$ The Wrap: You’re Now a ‘Leak Detective’ And that’s a wrap, folks! Armed with , , , and many others, you're now a certified RxJS memory leak detective. You're ready to charge into the battlefield, slaying memory leaks left and right. async unsubscribe takeUntil Just remember, the secret to keeping your code clean is understanding and vigilance. With these trusty tools and strategies, you’re on your way to crafting efficient, leak-free code. Good luck, fellow code warriors. May your code be bug-free and your coffee strong! Also published here. Lead image by Lokajit Tikayatray

Mastering RxJS Memory Leaks: The Leak Detective Handbook

As a result of the epidemic, several new firms have begun offering meal delivery services. Revenues from the worldwide meal delivery market are expected to reach high. That is why a worldwide uprising is necessary for you. You are a participant in this upheaval. Who doesn't like to stay in their pants and watch multiple episodes of their favourite show while eating their favourite food? Are you opening a restaurant in 2022 and looking for the best food apps to use as a launchpad? Starting a restaurant in 2022? Apps that help you order food play a crucial role in keeping the restaurant and food industry steady. The food manufacturing sector is one that is highly responsive to consumer preferences and trends in the market. Between the years 2018 and 2023, it is anticipated that the online meal delivery app will see an annual growth rate of 38.08 percent . This post will provide you with the best app ideas for restaurant and food business startups to use as a springboard. Let's take a look at the Top App Concepts in the Food Industry that may catapult your eatery to new heights. Apps for Home-Cooked Meals Gourmet traditional dining, like fast food, can make you crave different things at different times. There are times when the food at a restaurant just isn't cutting it. Your app is sure to be a hit with foodies, since it has been designed to meet the needs of those who like home-cooked meals. With this system, customers may team up with independent or distant cooks who join up to provide on-demand meals. Users may make orders from a curated menu or specify their preferred cuisine. App to Help Reduce Food Waste The possibility of food waste is high in both a food service business and a newly opened restaurant. Finally, the greatest alternative for any restaurant to properly manage surplus food products and cut down on food waste is the app to decrease food waste. Also, the mobile food management software is a helpful tool for carrying out the admirable deed of providing food to the needy. A restaurant app that helps you distribute unsold food to the hungry in your community is a great idea. Table Reservation Application Consumers' desire to dine at their favourite establishments on the weekend results in a surge of business for these establishments. However, the Table reservation app is the best choice for restaurants everywhere in the globe. In the hospitality industry, for example, it might help during busy periods by regulating the flow of customers. The software may help you monitor and enhance client happiness. A smartphone app like Restaurant Table Booking makes it easy for guests to schedule a reservation, specifying details like the time, day, and location of their dining experience. Frozen Food Items Delivery Companies that specialise in frozen foods have a spotty online presence. This implies that the introduction of any product represents a substantial chance for expansion. Ready-to-eat fish and meals, as well as a wide selection of other foods such as potatoes, vegetables, dairy products, meat, and fruit, are among the many frozen goods that may be delivered to your door. You may enhance sales by include organic goods on your list. Food Coupon & Deals Offering App Customers will constantly look for coupons or special offers before booking a reservation. This is an example of a strategy for a food app that goes above and beyond the norm to provide discounts and competitive pricing for its mobile users. You can attract new clients and keep the ones you already have by offering catering services during the holidays. You may reward regular users of the food delivery service for their loyalty and keep them coming back for more with special offers and discounts. AR- Based App for Exploring Restaurants The usage of augmented reality in restaurant promotion is one of the most cutting-edge strategies for attracting and retaining patrons. If you use technology, you can wow your visitors. Even if the meal is excellent, keeping your current clients content and building rapport with them is far more important. Organic and Natural Food Delivery App One of the finest ways to reward your body is with an organic, all-natural meal. These foods have no artificial flavours or preservatives and are packed with the nutrients your body needs. Building an online organic food delivery app can help you advertise your eatery as a place that values organic cuisine and uses only ingredients that have been sustainably farmed. Multi-restaurant Food Delivery App You don't own a restaurant but you want to take advantage of the most profitable internet market right now, food. There is still time to develop a platform for your target market to purchase and get ready-to-eat meals from you through their smartphones. You may provide your consumers with a wide range of dining options by aggregating both affordable and high-end eateries in a single app. From a financial perspective, the broad use of apps is evident, as is their positive return on investment. If users didn't like and pay for these applications, they wouldn't be able to gain such a large user base. The question then becomes, "Why wait?" and release a minimum viable product to see whether your concept is viable. Hire dedicated developers Reviews and Rating App This sort of functionality is included in an app for ordering meals since it aids customers in choosing highly rated dishes while also providing insight to business owners into which areas of service may need improvement. This sort of function is used by marketplace meal ordering and delivery services to gather customer opinions on the quality of service and cuisine provided by individual eateries. You should constantly ask customers for comments and ratings to preserve a positive reputation for your business. Baby Food Delivery App Finally, a robust online presence for your company may be achieved via the establishment of an app for the delivery of baby food. Parents who are too busy to plan out each of their children's meals might greatly benefit from having access to such a mobile application. Your app can offer parents with the whole baby meal plan, giving them peace of mind that their infants are getting the nutrition they need. Conclusion To get started, consider using one of the aforementioned strategies for food-related applications. There are many options for online meal delivery applications, and all you have to do to enjoy the benefits is place a bet on a novel SaaS-based Food Delivery Solutions idea. There is now a plethora of one-of-a-kind and stylish food apps to pick from if you're opening a restaurant or food-related business. It's important to know what a restaurant has to do in order to obtain an business if you want to see it succeed and thrive, and it's also important to know how a notion for a startup app may help you launch your own unique supermarket company. idea for mobile app Maybe you're contemplating developing an app catered toward the hospitality and food service sectors. Then you'll need a well-defined back-end strategy and delivery approach to keep an eye on your supply chain and set up your delivery processes so that they run smoothly.

Top 10 App Ideas for Restaurant and Food Business Startups in 2022

For a lot of people, the idea of studying/living abroad is just one more item in the checklist of their life’s plan. They’ll go abroad for a semester, a year, or more, sink themselves elbow-deep(or nail deep in some cases) into a new culture, experience new sensations, points of view, food, friends, lovers, to finally come home and then proceed to not shut up about it for the rest of their lives. E.g.: “This [ETHNIC_DISH] is good, but not as good as the one I had in [CAPITAL/MAJOR CITY] at this darling little [LOCAL_NAME_FOR_A_NEIGHBOURHOOD_EATERY].” This article is not for those kinds of people. This is for the people who want to go further, and for whatever reason, want to leave their own countries behind. With particular relevance for those of us who come from the third world AKA developing countries, less developed countries or underdeveloped countries. These items are presented in no particular order whatsoever. Education is a grand thing It is indeed possible to get a worker’s visa without first studying in that particular country and I know several people who excelled as professionals in their home nation and that allowed them to get a job abroad. That being said, getting a degree in the country you wish to migrate to will grant you several advantages: It will give you a chance to explore and help make that final decision of staying. You’ll get to practice your language skills in an environment filled with other people who are also learning. Universities will often have facilities and support for foreign students. When getting a work visa, some countries will take into account if you earned a degree in the country, and will make it easier for your prospective employer to submit the visa application. In most cases, this takes the form of your employer not having to prove that there is a local candidate that is equally qualified. Assuming it’s a possibility, I’d suggest finishing your Engineering or CS bachelor’s degree or equivalent in your home country. You can then earn a master’s degree or a professional certificate in your target country. Why a master’s or a certificate? Well, they tend to be shorter and therefore cheaper, and you get the added bonus of getting a bit of an advantage in your CV. If you come from a developing country, more likely than not, it is or was a colony of some kind. Sometimes in the very recent past. Do research on whether the former colonial power offers any sort of advantages for citizens of former colonies. For example, if you live legally in Spain and you happen to be from a Latin American country, you’ll be able to apply for Spanish(and most important EU) citizenship in just two years instead of the usual ten. Finally, this is going to be a recurring theme during this article, but it’s an important point nonetheless: DO RESEARCH! When choosing where to study, make sure that whatever institution you choose is fully accredited and that they deliver at least passable education. You will find “schools” that cater to immigrants just wishing to get a student visa, some of them even cater to specific nationalities or ethnicities. Do not fall for this. I’m not saying that all of them are scams, but believe me when I tell you, that your “Teaching English as a Second Language” certificate will most likely not impress prospective employers. You would be better off taking even a smaller course at a decent institution than an MBA from a diploma mill. I fought the law and the law won… Then the law beat me senseless Obey the law. It sounds so very simple, right? And in general, it is. But there are a couple of things you might forget while you’re exploring your new country, so here are a couple of reminders: Yes, I know, where you come from, you can walk into any store and buy cigarettes, liquor, marijuana, and a gallon of acid without showing an ID. Hell, your father sent you to the store for these things every single day. But, depending on where you live now, some of these things might require an ID to prove you are over 16,18,19,21, etc… or they’re illegal. I cannot emphasise this enough, stay away from purchasing illegal substances, whatever they might be. Depending on where you are, the justice system might be incredibly lenient. In Germany, you might not even be prosecuted for small quantities of cannabis, while in France cannabis possession nets you a 200 EUR fine. Or it could be ridiculously harsh. In Japan, you can get up to 5 years in jail for possession. Japan also has a conviction rate of 99.9% and a justice system that is notoriously aggressive against foreigners, so skipping that smoking session with Ryoko/Kenji, regardless of how kawaii they might be, is probably a good idea. This is going to sound incredibly harsh, and there are many officers who are truly invested in the wellbeing of all citizens, but in general, the police are not on your side. Like most people, they’re on their own side and interested in furthering their own objectives. Depending on where you are from, you might already be aware of this, but it bears repeating. If you do have to interact with officers, remember: be polite, be brief, know your rights, and know what officers can/cannot do. And if for whatever reason you’re arrested, do not cooperate and lawyer up immediately. Depending on where you are from, you might be used to an incredibly corrupt bureaucracy. Where if you bribe one paper-pusher or the other even with very small amounts of money, things will get done quicker. Do not try this in your new home. In most developed nations, low ranking bureaucrats are kept under constant surveillance to prevent corruption. I’m not saying corruption doesn’t exist in these countries, but it usually happens at a much higher level. The above might seem like I’m being a wee bit of a killjoy, but remember, you’re here for the long haul. Having entanglements with the law or even worse, convictions, might prevent you from staying. It will also hurt your chances to migrate to other countries if you ever decide to. I’m not going to eat that Your new home will be a gateway to exciting new experiences, some of these will be fun exciting and some will be scary exciting. However much of the local culture you experience, and there should be at least some, here are a couple of things to keep in mind: The country you are coming from might be more conservative than the country you’re moving to. Or, they could be more conservative in certain things like nudity, and more liberal in others like drugs. The important thing is to, once again, do your research. Make sure that the place you’re moving to, somewhat generally matches your personal convictions. If there are things with which you do not agree, then be ready to make that compromise. Avoid politics. No. Seriously, avoid politics. Getting involved in the politics of a country where you can’t really participate is like preparing a romantic dinner for a couple you don’t even know. You’d be doing a lot of work just to not get shagged. Once you get your citizenship/residence, feel free to go out and get involved all you want. Jumping off of that last point. Try and not to be overly critical. I know that commiserating with people about shared difficulties can create a bond. But it’s sometimes difficult to know where the line might be that will take someone from enjoying the conversation to giving you the stink-eye. On the other hand, don’t blind yourself to a country's faults. No country or society is perfect, and most countries have a chequered past. Some in the very recent past. You can embrace a country’s traditions and history, and still be conscious of its faults. You can both admire Canada for its healthcare infrastructure, and be appalled by the Indian residential school system which sought to erase First Nation’s identity through the separation of children from their families. You don’t need to become an expert in your new country’s history, you should be fine with just a High School level of knowledge. Pro-tip: Used high school texts are cheap, everywhere, and meant to be understood easily. Get a copy of a senior national history textbook and go wild. Have fun! It’s fine if you don’t care much about history, but definitely try to explore the local culture farther than a tourist would. Learn how to Morris dance, take cooking classes, read national authors, cheer for local sports teams, this is what will help you to develop a stronger sense of belonging. Which will be vital once the shine of the new experience you’re having has worn off. Could you repeat that again, please? Regardless of your level of proficiency with the language, you should never stop learning, even if you think you’re good enough. Right after your appearance, how you sound will shape how people think of you. And research has shown that a non-native accent makes people believe you’re less competent[1][2]. So don’t be afraid to try and master the local accent and parlance. If you find that it’s too hard, consider taking accent lessons. I know it sounds like I’m exaggerating, but if it’s any consolation, there is no better feeling than meeting someone new and them not even suspect that you’re an immigrant due to your language skills. Here are some tips to help you along: Consume media, and I mean local media. If you’re living in New Zealand, but only watch American TV shows, you’re going to end up sounding like just some bloke from California. Or if you live in Montreal, but only watch French media, you’ll never master Quebecois. If for whatever reason the country you’re in doesn’t produce a lot of TV shows or cinema, you can always listen to the radio. Talk shows in particular will give you a good sense of how the locals talk. I mentioned this in the previous section but read local/national authors. Not only will you get a better understanding of the national zeitgeist, you will also learn vocabulary that you might not encounter elsewhere. Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? Migrating is not easy. It takes a toll. Cultural identity is difficult to pin down and after years spent abroad, you might sometimes feel that you don’t have a true home. You’re too A for B, but too B for A. Don’t be surprised if the things that you once thought were annoying about your home country, are now pleasantly quaint. It’s fine to miss your home country and its people. Think of it less as abandoning your home and more like acquiring a second one. And finally, the one most important thing to remember is… DO RESEARCH! I mean, come one, you knew that was going to be it. References [1] https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20170523-does-your-accent-make-you-sound-smarter [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30835569/ Credits Featured image courtesy by . Henry Thong

Third World Engineers VIII: Romancing the Visa

When hip-hip artist Travis Scott appeared on Fortnite for a 10-minute virtual concert in April, he created one of the culturally defining moments of 2020. At a time when a global pandemic has put a halt to the concert industry, Scott managed to attract an audience of millions without even technically showing up for a live show. His avatar did all the heavy lifting during a 10-minute fantasy designed for Fornite, “Astronomical” It didn’t matter whether you were a gamer -- you probably about his appearance even if you didn’t show up.  And Scott -- whose meteoric rise to fame in the 2010s has made him both popular ( ) and -- is on fire. knew all 17 songs from his 2018 album Astroworld charted on the Billboard Hot 100 wealthy Travis Scott’s Fortnite moment demonstrates how an elite group of musicians, the new music moguls, have become brands unto themselves, wielding power through their cultural relevance, and oftentimes through digital. What Is a Music Mogul? Musicians used to align themselves with non-music brands such as McDonald’s to gain more power, visibility, and wealth. But an elite group of musicians, such as Jay-Z and Kanye West, have become so powerful that they’ve inverted the model. Some have changed the model completely by creating non-music brands. For example, is credited for compelling the beauty industry to create more inclusive products, a phenomenon known as the Fenty Effect. Arguably, Rihanna as a fashion and beauty brand has eclipsed Rihanna the musician. Travis Scott is inheriting the mantel from this high-flying group — a next-generation music mogul. Rihanna’s Fenty beauty line Travis Scott Achieves Cultural Relevance Travis Scott is firing on all cylinders as a musician and a brand. He ranks among the Top 20 most-listened-to artists on Spotify. With Kid Cudi, he released a song, “The Scotts,” that became his third U.S. Number One single. His collaboration with Rosalía, “TKN,” became a viral sensation on TikTok. A virtual performance on Fortnite attracted 12 million viewers in April. But his popularity extends beyond music. He’s also a culturally relevant brand. Brands become culturally relevant when they connect with an audience through their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Sometimes cultural relevance means attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, too. When brands achieve cultural relevance, they become so inextricably linked with our lives that we become lifelong members of their tribes. Scott defines cultural relevance in 2020 by connecting his music and his brand with people through mainstream behaviors such as: shaping Gaming , and Travis Scott is positioning himself to get a chunk of that money. His April Fortnite appearance had the same show-stopping power as any Coachella main stage performance — in fact, probably more. Online gaming is a $159 billion market in 2020 The performance drew 12.3 million concurrent players (i.e., watching at the same moment) and 27.7 million unique players (i.e., the number of different people who have signed on) globally across five airings over three days. But that’s not all. The concert generated a boatload of cash for Scott, including his appearance fee (estimated to be $500,000) and millions from the sale of in-game virtual merchandise such as a replica of Scott’s performance avatar and tons of other branded goodies — the online equivalent of concert Ts and sweatshirts sold at physical concerts. In this era of social distancing, physical concerts are not going to be feasible for a long, long time. “Astronomical” could be a template for the music industry, or at least one segment of the industry consisting of stars with the power to connect with fans through the rapidly growing online gaming industry. As Mark Mulligan of MiDIA Research told Billboard, “Games are the new venues of tomorrow. Travis Scott performing in Fortnite was the gaming equivalent of having a stadium-sized setup.” Scott, an avid gamer himself, follows a long line of musicians who have connected with fans through online gaming. Snoop Dogg, David Bowie, and Nile Rodgers are among the musicians who pioneered commercial collaborations with games such as NBA Live (Snoop Dogg), Omikron: The Nomad Soul (David Bowie), and HALO 2 (Nile Rodgers). The pioneers inspired many musicians to form relationships with gaming experiences. But Scott has taken the model to another level with the “Astronomical” concert. Fast Food , with a rich history that arguably dates back to Run-DMC name checking KFC and McDonald’s in “You Be Illin’” and NWA and LL Cool J both showing Burger King love in “I Ain’t That 1” and “The Bristol Hotel,” respectively. L.A.-based Fatburger achieved national fame in 1992 when Ice Cube name checked the chain in the song “It Was a Good Day.” Fast food and hip hop are culturally intertwined After that, Fatburger became the unofficial burger stand of choice for the hip-hop world, with artists such as Biggie Smalls calling out the restaurant either in song or word. Another famous L.A. eatery, Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles, is so beloved by hip-hop stars that Snoop Dogg . offered to buy the joint when it faced financial problems The fast food industry understands the power of hip-hop to confer cultural relevance, too. Back in 2005, . Having deep pockets doesn’t make you culturally relevant, of course. But you can borrow cultural relevance by forming the right relationships. And that’s what McDonald’s did by co-branding with Travis Scott recently. McDonald’s enlisted the help of a marketing firm to recruit hip-hop artists to mention Big Macs in their songs From September 8 to October 4, McDonald's partnered with Scott on a marketing campaign that featured the Travis Scott value meal, which became so popular that shortages resulted. The Travis Scott meal promotional campaign also included the sale of related merchandise such , and Scott starred in a commercial for Mickey D’s. as a $90 pillow that sold out in days In turn, Scott made himself more relevant to one of the most powerful cultural institutions in the United States, Fast Food Nation. McDonald’s US chief marketing officer Morgan Flatley that McDonald’s decided to team up with Scott because of his cultural impact, especially when it comes to younger customers: told Business Insider His ability to kind of see where culture is going and have a hand in where culture is going is really unique. Then you couple that with his huge followership and his fans, social-media footprint, and . . . 3 billion streams. He just has an incredible audience. The relationship with McDonald’s also spawned an amusing behavior among younger customers who rolled up to McDonald’s drive-through lanes and placed their orders for the Travis Scott Meal with their own creative spin, such as announcing cryptically, “You know what I want,” or “You know why we’re here,” and then blasting Scott’s hit song, “Sicko Mode.” The “Sicko Mode”-style ordering also lit up TikTok, with fans posting their “Sicko Mode” moments on videos that went viral. Fans had so much fun coming up with their own distinct ways to order the Travis Scott Meal that McDonald’s executives , giving a heads up regarding the different vernacular one might expect in the drive-through lane, and encouraging employees to just roll with it. sent a memo to employees “To reduce confusion, please make crew aware of these monikers or alternate ordering methods,” the memo said. This is what cultural relevance is all about: influencing how people actually talk and behave. And all this happened in just weeks. Fashion Hip-hop has wielded such an enormous impact on fashion that . Hip-hop artists have taken their influence to the bank, such as Cardi B teaming up with the viral brand Fashion Nova to launch her first clothing collection or Kanye West teaming with the Gap to sell his own Yeezy line. Travis Scott turns heads with his many signature looks, and he’s also been a fashion creator. For example: entire books have been written about the subject In 2019, he collaborated with the Houston Astros to launch a limited edition baseball cap.Since 2017, he’s worked with Nike on many redesigns of popular Nike styles such as Air Force 1 and the Dunk.In 2017, he collaborated with Helmut Lang on a clothing collection that included denim, shoes, and shirts costing anywhere from $175 to $1,715. His record label, Cactus Jack, has morphed into an all-purpose merchandise operation that includes clothing ranging from hoodies to T shirts, and the way he combines T shirts, flannel, and jeans has influenced the way his fans dress. As Mike Destefano of Complex magazine , Scott makes it easy to adopt his various looks: points out Part of the appeal of his style is that it’s relatively accessible. Fans can buy the same Supreme Kermit T-shirt (at Grailed, eBay, or stores like Round Two), Stone Island jacket, and Jordan 4s Scott rocks. Even if they can’t cop the exact same pieces, his rockstar look can be easily recreated. “Travis cuts through because he’s authentic,” Ksubi CEO Craig King told Complex. “He has a true street style and his followers clearly relate to him.” Without question, Scott’s biggest influence is seen in sneakerhead culture. His own designs, such as the Jordan 1 Retro High Travis Scott, regularly sell out instantly and command huge premiums on the sneaker resale market. , Scott’s Air Force 1 collaboration with Nike is one of the most highly coveted Air Force 1 styles ever. He’s managed to crank out a number of Nike collaborations in a short amount of time, and each one has been wildly successful. Part of his appeal is how he drops sneakers to coincide with show-stopping events, such as the release of a Nike Air Force 1 “Sail” variation right before he released his popular Astroworld album, or the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low “Cactus Jack,” which he wore during his Super Bowl appearance in February 2019. According to sneakerhead site JustFreshKicks Why has Travis Scott become such a powerful force in sneakerhead culture? Well, he’s a sneakerhead himself who gets the nuances of sneakerhead style. As Yu-Ming Wu, Stadium Goods’ chief marketing officer, Cam Wolf of GQ: told A lot of rappers and entertainers like to think of themselves as sneakerheads, but Travis Scott is a rare breed with a deep appreciation of the culture. He often brings back older, hyped sneakers which helps educate new heads and remind the old heads. His love and respect for the industry is a big part of his sneaker cult following. His collaborations with Nike are a natural by-product of his love of sneaker style, not the other way around. As Cam Wolf noted, Those on the other side of the taste spectrum will tell you that his shoes are a reflection of the personal style that has made Scott a beloved fashion figure. Over the years, Scott has built up his fashion bonafides by wearing archival Raf Simons — the really good stuff from, like, the fall/winter 2001 collection — in the “Antidote” music video or taking a vintage Celine blouse seemingly pilfered from Kanye West on a seaside vacation (a dream!). Past Nike press releases detail Scott’s influences: everything from lil’ military-inspired pockets and Houston-Oilers blue, to burlap accents, a reference to farm product and a metonym for resilience and hard work. Sneaker influencer, DJ, and consultant Kish Kash also said that Scott’s personal style “adds the respect . . . It means [the shoe designs] aren’t contrived.” Where Is Travis Scott Headed Next? Travis Scott could have coasted through 2020 dropping songs and riding the wave of his success with sneakerheads. Instead, he made one of the defining cultural events of the year with his Fortnite concert. The COVID-19 pandemic will influence how his brand evolves in the near term. Physical tours, once a crucial element of any musician’s ability to extend their influence commercially and culturally, are not an option. Scott, whose Astroworld concert featured him singing on a roller coaster, would be the perfect choice for branded theme park attractions, but theme parks are struggling. Arguably, a Travis Scott-themed ride could help bring back fans to parks. Whatever he does, his Cactus Jack brand is key. I expect him to follow in the footsteps of Kanye West and launch his own Cactus Jack clothing collaboration with a major retailer. Of course, brick-and-mortar retail is still reeling from the impact of COVID-19. Everything will come down to how well Scott can hustle Cactus Jack fashion online by leveraging the reach of a well-known retailer that can endure the ravages of the pandemic — I’d predict Target or Walmart. It’s not a question of if, but when. Given Scott’s love of world building (as demonstrated through his immersive appearance on Fortnite), I could easily see him embracing augmented reality and virtual reality in a creative way. These two technologies (especially virtual reality) would have limited appeal — their use is growing, but they’re not exactly mainstream. But a Travis Scott virtual reality title is not out of the question given the popularity of his Fortnite appearance. Travis Scott is winning in 2020 by capitalizing on the power of digital and choosing his offline opportunities carefully and wisely.

From Fortnite to Fashion: How Travis Scott Creates Cultural Relevance

Food trucks have been around for quite some time now, an idea sprung forth from an older necessity-driven idea, the . It is a simple proposition, really: instead of the public going to a restaurant or diner to eat, the food comes to them. One could consider it the older cousin of straight-to-your-door food delivery. chuckwagon In the later years of the nineteenth century, food trucks make their appearance in the streets of New York, selling simple, inexpensive, and easy to eat fare that could fill the stomach for a pittance compared to regular restaurant cuisine. These lunch wagons (“roach coaches” being the derogatory term for the not so sanitary examples) served hungry customers at regular hours as well as odd schedules, particularly the night shift. The humble food truck has experienced a great resurgence all across the United States and the rest of the world. This time around, they’re not just serving low-budget, barely edible foodstuffs just to keep the customers’ stomachs filled; food trucks are at the cutting edge of modern cuisine, fearlessly exploring both old and new ways to prepare and serve food. This is no longer your grandfather’s idea of “street food.” With the ever-growing demand for better-tasting and healthier organically-grown food, now may just be the time to throw your hat into the food business, and the food truck presents a lower barrier of entry, compared to that of a full-blown restaurant. Enumerated below are just a handful of reasons why you should consider starting a food truck business: Mobility and Flexibility This has to be the most obvious advantage of putting up a eatery, especially when comparing it against a less-modular food stall or a full-blown diner or restaurant. There is almost no such thing as a slow business day for a food truck, for as long as there is a potential high customer traffic area within driving distance. Given the ascension of food trucks in terms of food quality and taste, the trend has actually been turned on its head; people are practically chasing their favorite food trucks. food truck Food trucks can easily change schedules to adapt to special occasions such as festivals, carnivals, fairs, and other outdoor events that bring in multitudes of hungry people. Low Starting/Operating Costs The small size of the food truck may limit the amount of customers it can serve at any one time, but the upside of that is that with the small crew and compact work and service area (most food trucks don’t even bother with tables and chairs), the maintenance costs won’t eat too much into the profits, either. Note that you still have to pay your dues to the cities and towns you operate in, just as any business establishment would. Since this piece is supposed to encourage people to get into the business in the first place, consider that the biggest financial investments lie in the truck and the food preparation equipment installed within it. Reliable, albeit used freightliner trucks would make sufficient platforms for up-and-coming food truck business. Gastronomical Freedom Food trucks are adaptable in more ways than one. Since they are not mired by any requirements to adhere to any traditions or orthodox ways of preparing certain food, they are in the position to innovate. Beside the food you can also give some . They can take the best dishes or methods from any number of food cultures, so long as it is easy to serve and consume, as street food should be. are very common among food truck circles, and this ensures a wealth of culinary variety for the customers. fancy names to your food truck Fusion cuisines Your limited menu can also be a boon to you when you start sourcing for your ingredients. You can opt to buy better-quality produce to supply your with, and your customers will definitely appreciate tastier and healthier food, thanks to premium ingredients. Go ahead and cater to a select group of eaters, for as long as you know where most of them are. All you have to do is drive on over there! budding food business With these points, I hope more will embark in this exciting food enterprise!

The Food Truck: An Old Business Idea Worth Exploring?

GIS Analyst Salary Breakdown A long long time ago, in a District Far Far away — I was sitting in a windowless room in SE DC. I was the Lead Developer and I shared a room with the Lead GIS Analyst. When you’re in a room without internet you spend a BUNCH of time talking. I’m not sure what was the catalyst in the conversation that lead to salary, but he indicated that he was making X, and figured I was making X. Nope, I was making about 30% more than X. I knew our skill sets were different, but it was the first indicator of the “Developer/Analyst” gap in pay for GIS. GIS Fast forward, Jesus 14 years, I’m in Boston at a hard to get reservations for Italian eatery with other GIS folks. The night away from FOSS4G shenanigans. Again, I have no idea how we came onto a salary conversation but it did. And the younger developers indicated how much they made. Mentally, I was spot on with her salary, from what I know of her skills and her experience. I know how developer’s salaries work, but talking to recent graduates and other folks looking for jobs in GIS that salaries seem low. Soon I’ll talk about GIS Developer positions in comparison to normal Developer positions salary and the mass difference there. (Spoiler, this is why we’re losing developers) So, I decided to do some research into what are the factors that affect the salary of a GIS Analyst. I’m relying on the research from for this analysis. here Caveat, we are going to be dealing with national averages across both private organizations and public agencies, COLAs aren’t applied. That being said, the mean income for a GIS Analyst comes in at around 51K a year. Also, this is only including salary, bonuses and other perks are not included. Payscale’s is bases on the requirements within job descriptions (skills, experience) and how those impact the overall salary of a GIS Analyst. methodology , E_xperience_ First Really, when you’re late career all your money goes into Aleve and comfortable shoes The way this breaks down is Late Career is greater than 20 years. Experienced is 10–15 years, Mid-Career is 5–10 years, and less than that is Entry- Level. Second, Skills Yeah this is Ugly, I know its Ugly, but I was watching the final episode of Ballers Umm wow. So, if you are a GIS Analyst, learning Database Management and Reporting is the almost the same salary bump as being in the industry for 20 years. <cough> level up your shit </cough>. I’ve been screaming for years about learning SQL. The equivalent bump of being an Analyst for 15 years, is Web Development. So picking up Javascript, and how to work with Server tech might be in your best interest. Giving you the same salary boost as being Mid Career professional, is Data Modeling. Understanding how to produce conceptual data models as well as understanding the customer/client’s data requirements are key to anyone. Part of these skills really can’t be taught. Understanding the questions to ask a client takes experience. Autocad gives an Analyst a 2% increase in salary. I think may just really be due to rarity of the skills. Also, there is a push of Autocad 3D model builders with gaming and with the advancement of AR, you’ll see a bunch more of that. Coming in at “having a total null effect in your overall salary” — Data Analysis — make senses since this is what you’re SUPPOSE to know. Database Management, is a bit surprising, but again, a basic knowledge of data storage should be required. Now Python? Python. Really. Python. Python? Nooooo. Python? Okay, I’ll stop yelling at people to learn Python, I guess. narrator : He did not stop yelling at people to learn Python So there are the positives and the neutral affects on a GIS Analyst’s salary, now lets look at the negative influences on an Analyst’s salary. Data Management, (note not Database Management) has a negative impact of 1% on the Analyst’s salary. This is different from data modeling, as this is just understanding the processes of data creation management and removal of data. Again, basic knowledge for anyone within the GIS world, or at least it should be. For the next variable we must remember, that I did not make this list, if ArcGIS is a requirement for the position the total compensation for that position will be 2% less than the national average. Again, this is probably due to how common this is. Sure, there are a bunch more ArcGIS positions, but they they don’t pay as well. Two mainstays of “classic” GIS, GPS use and Cartography, both lead to a 2% drag down on the overall salary. Both of these are really undervalued in GIS. Data collection, and making the maps easy to read are the blocking and passing of GIS. I mean, I’m not a map maker, but I appreciate those who are. Lastly, Microsoft Office. Ugh, positions with MS Office in the description come in at 6% less than the national average. A number of years ago, James Fee posted an ad from Craigslist where they were looking for an Administrative Assistant with GIS skills. I think the pay was like 12 bucks an hour. Pretty sure this has more to do with experience. Anyone who has been in the industry, hell ANY industry, for a couple of years has knowledge of office software. I mean, how else are you suppose to open someone’s spreadsheet that they call a database. While its always hard to predict what skills you will need in 5 years, judging from this list, if you want to stick around as an Analyst, go pick up Database and Web Skills. In other words, move closer to being a developer than an Analyst. So basically, the skills you picked up either at your training or your school actually REDUCE your overall salary. Picking up web skills and database skills causes your salary to increase by, well a bunch. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to see how we can fix this. Stay tuned.

GIS Analyst Salary Breakdown

I’ve been closely following the craze for many months now, ever since demonetisation sent Bitcoin prices rocketing in India. Bitcoin _Bitcoins are trading nearly 10% higher in India as compared to the international markets after the demonetisation of Rs…_factordaily.com Bitcoins rally in India on the demonetization move Being a part of numerous shady groups finally paid off when someone posted of an Indian site that allows for booking domestic flight tickets using Bitcoins. cryptocurrency For those who don’t know, Bitcoin is digital money used for secure and instant transfer of value anywhere in the world. It’s the first example of a growing category of money known as cryptocurrency. It is not controlled or issued by any bank or government — rather it’s value is determined by buying and selling in the open market, similar to stocks or property. A bitcoin’s price changes in real time based on the number of people who want to buy or sell it at a given moment. It was worth roughly $13 in early 2013, went upto $260 in early 2015, before sky-rocketing to a record-high of $3000 in June this year. It currently hovers around the $2600 mark. India accounted for almost 11 percent of global cryptocurrency trade in the past month, according to data from a Bitcoin trade analyst, Chris Burniske. This isn’t particularly surprising as the meteoric rise in Bitcoin prices recently has led to it becoming a viable alternate investment vehicle with the potential for quick short-term gains. The value of Bitcoin in India has soared to Rs 1,70,000 today. There are a number of startups that have opened Bitcoin exchanges in India, making it easy to buy Bitcoin in INR. Unocoin, Coinsecure and Zebpay are the three main bitcoin players in India, with over a million users between them. Till now, while Zebpay and Unocoin allowed you to recharge your mobile, DTH, datacard and buy movie tickets on BookMyShow, most Indians aren’t really using Bitcoin for purchases. Because of the ubiquity, security and ease of use of fiat currency (legal tender backed by the government, unlike cryptocurrency), bitcoin today fulfils the ‘store of value’ function of money more than the ‘medium of exchange’ function that economists traditionally use to define money. While Bitcoin has many advantages over traditional currency: It is inherently scarce (the protocol specifies that only 21 million bitcoins will ever be created), is decentralised (its price cannot be manipulated by any government), is readily transmissible over the internet, easily stored and infinitely divisible; to the average person all of this means nothing. While we early-adopters in the tech industry may try something for , it can only cross the chasm into the mainstream, by transforming that potential into actual . potential experience The average person on the street today needs to have many more experiences where using Bitcoins is so much more easier, secure or advantageous in some way than using fiat. For them to use bitcoins without knowing any of the underlying protocols just like you can use the Indian rupee without really knowing how the Reserve Bank of India functions. While there have been a few cases of merchants in India who’ve started accepting Bitcoins, which makes for a great tweet, there hasn’t been a clear articulation of why paying in Bitcoins is substantially better than using other means to pay. _In Indiranagar, a posh neighbourhood in Bengaluru dotted with upscale pubs and theme restaurants, is an eatery that…_factordaily.com An eatery in Bengaluru may be India’s first to accept Bitcoins, but geeks show no love For a new entrant to disrupt an incumbent solution, it has to be better, not just by a few degrees, but by a margin big enough so as to shake users out of their inertia. And strikes at India’s sweet spot — cheaper prices! Flybit I checked prices for a Bangalore — New Delhi flight on India’s most popular OTA — MakeMyTrip. The price for the ticket after adding a convenience fee came to around Rs 3508. When I checked the price for the same on Flybit, I was pleasantly surprised to see it being more than Rs 450 lower at just Rs 3049. Cheaper prices on Flybit! Flybit asked me to pay 0.01843519 in Bitcoins to a specific bitcoin address, and sent me the tickets within a couple of minutes of payment. According to Prayank Gahlot, who runs Flybit, the prices on most domestic routes are discounted by more than 15% to the traditional OTAs, but he wouldn’t reveal the name of the travel third party that provides the APIs behind Flybit. He also plans to provide a free Ola/Uber coupon with every domestic flight ticket soon. Flybit calculates the Bitcoin-INR exchange rate by taking the mean of all the rates on the Indian exchanges at any moment in time, which also means that those who buy their Bitcoins from US exchanges (where it’s cheaper by 1.5–2%) can save even more money. Flybit is currently running on break-even basis to provide the cheapest possible domestic air tickets for users, to promote adoption of Bitcoins in India. More and more such cryptocurrency projects are cropping up in India: meet — that lets you buy any product from e-commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal with Bitcoins. Pocketbits Sohail Merchant, who is bootstrapping PocketBits, told me that while the potential of the market has attracted a lot of speculators and traders, the whole ecosystem around bitcoins has to come up (and not just Bitcoin exchanges) for the mainstream, ‘noob’ crowd to get in. He started Pocketbits, after having being the victim of multiple credit card frauds and having seen the breeze of using Bitcoins to shop on international e-commerce sites. Since launching in February, he claims Pocketbits has crossed more than 15,000 signups and transactions worth more than 1200 Bitcoins have taken place on the shopping service. Money essentially works because . it is a universal system of mutual trust Even people who do not believe in the same god, obey the same king or are part of completely different cultures are more than happy to take the same coloured piece of paper. . — Yuval Noah Harari, Author of Sapiens “Money is the only trust system created by humans that can bridge almost any cultural gap, and that does not discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, race, age or sexual orientation. Thanks to money, even people who don’t know each other and don’t trust each other can nevertheless cooperate effectively” Money then, is the ultimate network effect and it kind of only works because everyone believes in it. If I believe that you’re going to accept bitcoins as money, then I want more of bitcoins and you want more of them too and so it goes, to create a network effect. The attraction of bitcoins is even more so as it is completely decentralised and no government can declare it worthless as happened in India late last year. While Bitcoin crossing the chasm into the mainstream may still be a number of years away, for now, I’m happy getting a good deal on my flight tickets. https://upscri.be/hackernoon/

India’s first mainstream big-ticket merchant service to accept Bitcoins has arrived. . .

Web applications have greatly benefited from the inclusion of maps, providing users with valuable location-based information. Maps have transformed our interaction with the world, from navigating unfamiliar places to discovering nearby eateries. As a result, the integration of maps into websites has become increasingly popular in recent times. Nevertheless, designing maps that are both functional and user-friendly can present a challenge, especially for those lacking experience in this domain. In this article, I will share useful tips on how to create effective maps within your browser. Tech stack Let’s discuss technologies. When working with maps, we typically use three layers: Rendering the user interface, which includes buttons and forms. In our stack, React performs this role; Rendering the map and enabling user interaction. We use Mapbox for this; Fetching data from the server, such as information about markers or polygons. To retrieve data, we use the browser’s built-in fetch feature. Let’s review each item to gain a better understanding of our technology stack when working with maps. React The library enables you to work with page elements conveniently and efficiently. It was developed by Facebook for their own use, and includes numerous components such as buttons, forms, and other interactive elements on the pages. For example, Facebook created a to quickly compare different states. React reconciliation algorithm As changing elements on a page is the most expensive operation for a browser, it’s essential to do it as efficiently as possible. To address this issue, Facebook engineers developed the React library, which enables fast and straightforward element changes on a page. Besides providing rapid state changes on a page, React allows us to do this declaratively without working with DOM elements directly. Instead, we use an abstraction, usually , which looks like HTML. Let’s consider an example: JSX // It's our state. Is the user our friend or not?
// false by default
const [isFriend, setIsFriend] = useState(false)

// Depending on the state, we show the text on the button
const buttonText = isFriend ? 'Your my Friend' : 'Add as Friend'

// There is JSX, syntax for UI
// In this case, we display a button, when clicked, we change the state
return (
  <button onClick={() => setIsFriend(true)}>{buttonText}</button>
) It is possible to nest components with ordinary DOM elements like forms, buttons, and inputs at the bottom of the hierarchy. By assembling these simple elements, we can create more complex ones, such as a complete form: const Form = () => (
  <form>
      <input name="Email"/>
      <input name="Password"/>
  </form>
)

const App = () => (
  <main>
      <h1>My form!</h1>
      <Form />
  </main>
) How does React assist us in the context of maps? As the map on the page is interactive, similar to a button or form, we aim to optimize its rendering and interaction through events like clicks on the map. React can help achieve this optimization. Here is an example of how it works: // Use React to render the map with different event handlers
// and render markers
return (
  <BaseMap
    onInitMap={() => console.log('I am alive!')}
    onClickMap={() => console.log('Click!')}
    onDestroyMap={() => console.log('Oh no!')}
  >
    <ClustersMarkers />
    <PostsMarkers />
    <ListingsMarkers />
  </BaseMap>
) When working with React, it is essential to remember that it allows for efficient manipulation of elements on the page, quick changes, and interaction with them through events. This is achieved through an abstraction that resembles HTML, making it easy to create complex components from simpler ones. Mapbox Now, let’s discuss the map itself. Creating and using maps can be challenging, and only a few product companies can design maps from scratch. Typically, most people rely on pre-made libraries with a user-friendly API that has been tried and tested. Numerous dynamic map providers are available, including Google Maps, Leaflet, Bing Maps, Mapbox, and more. However, we will focus on due to its extensive features and fair pricing policy. For instance, Google Maps charges for 100k map views per month, while Mapbox only charges . Moreover, Mapbox offers free access for up to 50k map views per month. Mapbox $700 $250 Mapbox offers , a tool often compared to Photoshop for maps. With this tool, designers can create custom styles, hide unnecessary map elements, and remove house displays. One of its benefits is the ability to enhance the visibility of . Another advantage is the opportunity to experiment with map styling in corporate colors. However, it’s essential to consider the user experience and maintain a familiar color palette, including green grass and blue water. The best part about Mapbox Studio is that it simplifies the map design process by eliminating the need for developing and transferring requirements, ultimately reducing the cost of working with maps. Mapbox Studio Points of Interest Additionally, Mapbox provides a that can convert addresses to coordinates or vice versa, simplifying the process of locating points on a map. However, the tool’s may be insufficient, leading to difficulties for certain projects. Mapbox gathers data from , such as governments, open data initiatives like OpenStreetMap, and private companies. geocoding tool worldwide coverage numerous sources Mapbox provides a variety of , although the could benefit from some improvement. For instance, when incorporating marker functionality, examples can be more informative than the documentation. Additionally, challenges may arise when merging multiple components, such as marker clusters, custom data loading, normalization, and marker state changes. practical examples documentation Let’s revisit Mapbox maps. What does the do? Mapbox API It initializes the map in an HTML element on the page; It loads and renders images that make up the map; It draws additional elements, such as markers, using GeoJson as input data; It generates events, such as clicks or zoom changes, that can be handled. Let’s take a closer look at each of these items. Mapbox specializes in map rendering using tiles. Tiles are small square images that make up the larger map. The default size of a tile is 512x512 pixels, and it can be either . tiles are used to display roads, buildings, Points of Interest (PoI), and more. They can be dynamically styled, are lightweight, and allow for smooth interaction with the map. tiles, on the other hand, are used for displaying satellite imagery. vector or raster Vector Raster Just so you know, Mapbox Studio allows us to choose the specific data we want to include in the map tiles. These tiles are then placed onto a , which is a special DOM element in the browser that displays images and other graphical elements on the web. To give you an idea, it’s similar to how documents are displayed on a canvas in Google Docs. canvas <canvas width="100" height="100" /> Mapbox handles the loading, insertion, and updating of tiles. All we have to do is specify where we want the map to be displayed and the initial conditions, like the zoom level or the map’s coordinates. To use Mapbox, you’ll need an , which is a unique key that can be found in your Mapbox account. To set up a basic map, here’s a quick example, but for more information, check out the provided: access token link mapboxgl.accessToken = 'YOUR_MAPBOX_ACCESS_TOKEN';

const map = new mapboxgl.Map({
  container: 'map', // we can use an Id or an element
  style: 'mapbox://styles/mapbox/streets-v11', // URL for styles
  center: [-74.5, 40], // initial coordinates [lng, lat]
  zoom: 9, // initial zoom
}); After this, we will get a map on the page in an element with the id ‘map.’ To provide users with more information on the map, we often display the location of a certain establishment or the boundaries of a specific area. To achieve this, we use a specific data format called and instruct Mapbox on how to showcase this data. GeoJSON GeoJSON is the standard format for storing geographic structures on maps. It can store various primitive types that describe geographic objects such as addresses, locations, streets, highways, borders, countries, states, and combinations of these, known as multipart. GeoJSON was introduced in 2008 and is represented like this: {
  "type": "Feature", // also can be FeatureCollection, it's collection of Feature
  "geometry": {
    "type": "Point", // also can be LineString, Polygon, MultiPolygon
    "coordinates": [125.6, 10.1] // for other types you can use Array with coordinates
  },
  "properties": { // it's metadata, we can you that to show something on the map
    "name": "Dinagat Islands"
  }
} Let’s talk about the coordinate system used in Mapbox. By default, Mapbox employs , which is a way of projecting the Earth onto a flat surface to work with tiles. This is known as Web Mercator and is the standard for online maps. However, when dealing with data about markers and polygons, it uses a different coordinate system called . This system relies on latitude and longitude to describe coordinates on the Earth’s ellipsoid. Mapbox and other map providers automatically convert coordinates from EPSG 4326 to EPSG 3857. If we need to work with different , we can use the method. EPSG 3857 EPSG 4326 projections map.setProjection Now, we will discuss how to display GeoJSON on the map. Mapbox offers two entities that we will find helpful: — This is the data seed. We can create a new source with GeoJSON data and configure it, for example, to generate an ID for each feature in the feature collection. Source — This is the data representation. We can display the data from the source in different ways, such as showing boundaries. Layer To display polygons or markers on the map, we must retrieve the data in GeoJson format from the server. Then, we create a source, input the data into it, and connect it to the required layer. const geoJsonFeature = {
  'type': 'Feature',
  'geometry': {
      'type': 'Polygon',
      'coordinates': [
          [-67.13734, 45.13745],
          [-66.96466, 44.8097],
          [-68.03252, 44.3252],
          [-67.13734, 45.13745]
      ]
  }
}

// Create source with our data
map.addSource('ourSource', {
  'type': 'geojson',
  'data': geoJsonFeature
});

// Add layer for background
map.addLayer({
  'id': 'background',
  'type': 'fill',
  'source': 'ourSource', // название нашего source
  'layout': {},
  'paint': {
      'fill-color': '#0080ff',
      'fill-opacity': 0.5
  }
});

// Add layer for border
map.addLayer({
  'id': 'border',
  'type': 'line',
  'source': 'ourSource',
  'layout': {},
  'paint': {
      'line-color': '#000',
      'line-width': 3
  }
}); After running this code, we get the result: To learn more about this topic, you can refer to the provided by Mapbox. In this tutorial, we have covered the process of initializing the map and presenting our data. Next, we will explore how to handle events like clicking, dragging, and zooming. For instance, we can use Mapbox to monitor events and display the coordinates in the console as the user moves their cursor on the map. To achieve this, we simply call the method with the event type we want, similar to how we work with DOM elements. documentation on map.on('mousemove', (e) => {
  console.log(JSON.stringify(e.point));
});

// Result: {"x":330,"y":49} In summary, what do we need to remember? Mapbox allows us to display a map, draw our data on top of it, and process map events. At the same time, Mapbox takes care of loading and displaying images (tiles). Fetch A word about . We have already seen how to render data on a map, but first, we must retrieve it from the server. When we dynamically request data from the server in the background without reloading the page, we call this approach (“ synchronous avaScript nd ML”). There are many tools for loading data asynchronously from the server, such as Axios or XMLHttpRequest (native). fetch AJAX A J a X What to remember? We retrieve data from the server, and there are many libraries for this, but we will use fetch. Next, we will look at how we do this specifically when working with maps, as there are nuances. React + Mapbox Now let’s see how the technologies described above work together. First, we will retrieve the data for displaying the polygon using fetch. Then we will declare the initialization of the map, and after it loads, we will add the polygon to the map. You can also find a working example at the provided. link const useFetch = () => {
  /*
  Our data
  {
      'type': 'Feature',
      'geometry': {
          'type': 'Polygon',
          'coordinates': [
              [
                  [-67.13734, 45.13745],
                  [-68.03252, 44.3252],
                  [-68.90478, 47.18479],
                  [-67.13734, 45.13745],
              ]
          ]
      }
  }
  */
  const [data, setData] = useState(null)

  useEffect(() => {
    fetch('https://our-api.com/polygon')
      .then(response => response.json())
      .then(setData)
      .catch(e => {
        console.error(e)
      })
  }, [setData])

  return { data }
}

const BaseMap = () => {
  // Use the hook to fetch data
  const { data } = useFetch(GET_REGION);

  // Map instance
  const map = useRef(null);
  // DOM element
  const mapContainer = useRef(null);

  // Main logic - init the map and add the event
  useEffect(() => {
    if (map.current) {
      return; // initialize map only once
    }

    mapboxgl.accessToken = 'YOUR_MAPBOX_ACCESS_TOKEN';
    map.current = new mapboxgl.Map({
      container: mapContainer.current,
      style: 'mapbox://styles/mapbox/light-v10', // style URL (it's Mapbox's core style)
      center: [-68.137343, 45.137451], // starting position
      zoom: 5 // starting zoom
    });

    // Handle event
    map.on('load', () => {
      const sourceId = 'source-region'

      // Add a data source containing GeoJSON data
      map.addSource(sourceId, {
        'type': 'geojson',
        'data': data.region // our data from Apollo
      });

      // Add a new layer to visualize the polygon
      map.addLayer({
        'id': 'background',
        'type': 'fill',
        'source': sourceId, // reference the data source
        'paint': {
            'fill-color': '#0080ff', // blue color fill
            'fill-opacity': 0.5
        }
      });
      // Add a black outline around the polygon
      map.addLayer({
        'id': 'outline',
        'type': 'line',
        'source': sourceId,
        'paint': {
            'line-color': '#000',
            'line-width': 3
        }
      });
    });
  });

  return <div ref={mapContainer} />;
} Conclusion We looked at the technology stack that underpins our future architecture. In the following article, we will discuss the principles that help design a map architecture, how to achieve maximum low coupling and high cohesion of modules, and how to maintain and develop a scalable map system. Thank you very much for your attention! Have a great day.

Easy Eatery

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easyeatery.co.uk

-- employees

Since n.d.

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