# Dawarich JavaScript Architecture
This document provides a comprehensive guide to the JavaScript architecture used in the Dawarich application, with a focus on the Maps (MapLibre) implementation.
## Table of Contents
- [Overview](#overview)
- [Technology Stack](#technology-stack)
- [Architecture Patterns](#architecture-patterns)
- [Directory Structure](#directory-structure)
- [Core Concepts](#core-concepts)
- [Maps (MapLibre) Architecture](#maps-maplibre-architecture)
- [Creating New Features](#creating-new-features)
- [Best Practices](#best-practices)
## Overview
Dawarich uses a modern JavaScript architecture built on **Hotwire (Turbo + Stimulus)** for page interactions and **MapLibre GL JS** for map rendering. The Maps (MapLibre) implementation follows object-oriented principles with clear separation of concerns.
## Technology Stack
- **Stimulus** - Modest JavaScript framework for sprinkles of interactivity
- **Turbo Rails** - SPA-like page navigation without building an SPA
- **MapLibre GL JS** - Open-source map rendering engine
- **ES6 Modules** - Modern JavaScript module system
- **Tailwind CSS + DaisyUI** - Utility-first CSS framework
## Architecture Patterns
### 1. Stimulus Controllers
**Purpose:** Connect DOM elements to JavaScript behavior
**Location:** `app/javascript/controllers/`
**Pattern:**
```javascript
import { Controller } from '@hotwired/stimulus'
export default class extends Controller {
static targets = ['element']
static values = { apiKey: String }
connect() {
// Initialize when element appears in DOM
}
disconnect() {
// Cleanup when element is removed
}
}
```
**Key Principles:**
- Controllers should be stateless when possible
- Use `targets` for DOM element references
- Use `values` for passing data from HTML
- Always cleanup in `disconnect()`
### 2. Service Classes
**Purpose:** Encapsulate business logic and API communication
**Location:** `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/services/`
**Pattern:**
```javascript
export class ApiClient {
constructor(apiKey) {
this.apiKey = apiKey
}
async fetchData() {
const response = await fetch(url, {
headers: this.getHeaders()
})
return response.json()
}
}
```
**Key Principles:**
- Single responsibility - one service per concern
- Consistent error handling
- Return promises for async operations
- Use constructor injection for dependencies
### 3. Layer Classes (Map Layers)
**Purpose:** Manage map visualization layers
**Location:** `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/layers/`
**Pattern:**
```javascript
import { BaseLayer } from './base_layer'
export class CustomLayer extends BaseLayer {
constructor(map, options = {}) {
super(map, { id: 'custom', ...options })
}
getSourceConfig() {
return {
type: 'geojson',
data: this.data
}
}
getLayerConfigs() {
return [{
id: this.id,
type: 'circle',
source: this.sourceId,
paint: { /* ... */ }
}]
}
}
```
**Key Principles:**
- All layers extend `BaseLayer`
- Implement `getSourceConfig()` and `getLayerConfigs()`
- Store data in `this.data`
- Use `this.visible` for visibility state
- Inherit common methods: `add()`, `update()`, `show()`, `hide()`, `toggle()`
### 4. Utility Modules
**Purpose:** Provide reusable helper functions
**Location:** `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/utils/`
**Pattern:**
```javascript
export class UtilityClass {
static helperMethod(param) {
// Static methods for stateless utilities
}
}
// Or singleton pattern
export const utilityInstance = new UtilityClass()
```
### 5. Component Classes
**Purpose:** Reusable UI components
**Location:** `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/components/`
**Pattern:**
```javascript
export class PopupFactory {
static createPopup(data) {
return `
${data.name}
`
}
}
```
## Directory Structure
```
app/javascript/
├── application.js # Entry point
├── controllers/ # Stimulus controllers
│ ├── maps/maplibre_controller.js # Main map controller
│ ├── maps_maplibre/ # Controller modules
│ │ ├── layer_manager.js # Layer lifecycle management
│ │ ├── data_loader.js # API data fetching
│ │ ├── event_handlers.js # Map event handling
│ │ ├── filter_manager.js # Data filtering
│ │ └── date_manager.js # Date range management
│ └── ... # Other controllers
├── maps_maplibre/ # Maps (MapLibre) implementation
│ ├── layers/ # Map layer classes
│ │ ├── base_layer.js # Abstract base class
│ │ ├── points_layer.js # Point markers
│ │ ├── routes_layer.js # Route lines
│ │ ├── heatmap_layer.js # Heatmap visualization
│ │ ├── visits_layer.js # Visit markers
│ │ ├── photos_layer.js # Photo markers
│ │ ├── places_layer.js # Places markers
│ │ ├── areas_layer.js # User-defined areas
│ │ ├── fog_layer.js # Fog of war overlay
│ │ └── scratch_layer.js # Scratch map
│ ├── services/ # API and external services
│ │ ├── api_client.js # REST API wrapper
│ │ └── location_search_service.js
│ ├── utils/ # Helper utilities
│ │ ├── settings_manager.js # User preferences
│ │ ├── geojson_transformers.js
│ │ ├── performance_monitor.js
│ │ ├── lazy_loader.js # Code splitting
│ │ └── ...
│ ├── components/ # Reusable UI components
│ │ ├── popup_factory.js # Map popup generator
│ │ ├── toast.js # Toast notifications
│ │ └── ...
│ └── channels/ # ActionCable channels
│ └── map_channel.js # Real-time updates
└── maps/ # Legacy Maps V1 (being phased out)
```
## Core Concepts
### Manager Pattern
The Maps (MapLibre) controller delegates responsibilities to specialized managers:
1. **LayerManager** - Layer lifecycle (add/remove/toggle/update)
2. **DataLoader** - API data fetching and transformation
3. **EventHandlers** - Map interaction events
4. **FilterManager** - Data filtering and searching
5. **DateManager** - Date range calculations
6. **SettingsManager** - User preferences persistence
**Benefits:**
- Single Responsibility Principle
- Easier testing
- Improved code organization
- Better reusability
### Data Flow
```
User Action
↓
Stimulus Controller Method
↓
Manager (e.g., DataLoader)
↓
Service (e.g., ApiClient)
↓
API Endpoint
↓
Transform to GeoJSON
↓
Update Layer
↓
MapLibre Renders
```
### State Management
**Settings Persistence:**
- Primary: Backend API (`/api/v1/settings`)
- Fallback: localStorage
- Sync on initialization
- Save on every change (debounced)
**Layer State:**
- Stored in layer instances (`this.visible`, `this.data`)
- Synced with SettingsManager
- Persisted across sessions
### Event System
**Custom Events:**
```javascript
// Dispatch
document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('visit:created', {
detail: { visitId: 123 }
}))
// Listen
document.addEventListener('visit:created', (event) => {
console.log(event.detail.visitId)
})
```
**Map Events:**
```javascript
map.on('click', 'layer-id', (e) => {
const feature = e.features[0]
// Handle click
})
```
## Maps (MapLibre) Architecture
### Layer Hierarchy
Layers are rendered in specific order (bottom to top):
1. **Scratch Layer** - Visited countries/regions overlay
2. **Heatmap Layer** - Point density visualization
3. **Areas Layer** - User-defined circular areas
4. **Tracks Layer** - Imported GPS tracks
5. **Routes Layer** - Generated routes from points
6. **Visits Layer** - Detected visits to places
7. **Places Layer** - Named locations
8. **Photos Layer** - Photos with geolocation
9. **Family Layer** - Real-time family member locations
10. **Points Layer** - Individual location points
11. **Fog Layer** - Canvas overlay showing unexplored areas
### BaseLayer Pattern
All layers extend `BaseLayer` which provides:
**Methods:**
- `add(data)` - Add layer to map
- `update(data)` - Update layer data
- `remove()` - Remove layer from map
- `show()` / `hide()` - Toggle visibility
- `toggle(visible)` - Set visibility state
**Abstract Methods (must implement):**
- `getSourceConfig()` - MapLibre source configuration
- `getLayerConfigs()` - Array of MapLibre layer configurations
**Example Implementation:**
```javascript
export class PointsLayer extends BaseLayer {
constructor(map, options = {}) {
super(map, { id: 'points', ...options })
}
getSourceConfig() {
return {
type: 'geojson',
data: this.data || { type: 'FeatureCollection', features: [] }
}
}
getLayerConfigs() {
return [{
id: 'points',
type: 'circle',
source: this.sourceId,
paint: {
'circle-radius': 4,
'circle-color': '#3b82f6'
}
}]
}
}
```
### Lazy Loading
Heavy layers are lazy-loaded to reduce initial bundle size:
```javascript
// In lazy_loader.js
const paths = {
'fog': () => import('../layers/fog_layer.js'),
'scratch': () => import('../layers/scratch_layer.js')
}
// Usage
const ScratchLayer = await lazyLoader.loadLayer('scratch')
const layer = new ScratchLayer(map, options)
```
**When to use:**
- Large dependencies (e.g., canvas-based rendering)
- Rarely-used features
- Heavy computations
### GeoJSON Transformations
All data is transformed to GeoJSON before rendering:
```javascript
// Points
{
type: 'FeatureCollection',
features: [{
type: 'Feature',
geometry: {
type: 'Point',
coordinates: [longitude, latitude]
},
properties: {
id: 1,
timestamp: '2024-01-01T12:00:00Z',
// ... other properties
}
}]
}
```
**Key Functions:**
- `pointsToGeoJSON(points)` - Convert points array
- `visitsToGeoJSON(visits)` - Convert visits
- `photosToGeoJSON(photos)` - Convert photos
- `placesToGeoJSON(places)` - Convert places
- `areasToGeoJSON(areas)` - Convert circular areas to polygons
## Creating New Features
### Adding a New Layer
1. **Create layer class** in `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/layers/`:
```javascript
import { BaseLayer } from './base_layer'
export class NewLayer extends BaseLayer {
constructor(map, options = {}) {
super(map, { id: 'new-layer', ...options })
}
getSourceConfig() {
return {
type: 'geojson',
data: this.data || { type: 'FeatureCollection', features: [] }
}
}
getLayerConfigs() {
return [{
id: this.id,
type: 'symbol', // or 'circle', 'line', 'fill', 'heatmap'
source: this.sourceId,
paint: { /* styling */ },
layout: { /* layout */ }
}]
}
}
```
2. **Register in LayerManager** (`controllers/maps_maplibre/layer_manager.js`):
```javascript
import { NewLayer } from 'maps_maplibre/layers/new_layer'
// In addAllLayers method
_addNewLayer(dataGeoJSON) {
if (!this.layers.newLayer) {
this.layers.newLayer = new NewLayer(this.map, {
visible: this.settings.newLayerEnabled || false
})
this.layers.newLayer.add(dataGeoJSON)
} else {
this.layers.newLayer.update(dataGeoJSON)
}
}
```
3. **Add to settings** (`utils/settings_manager.js`):
```javascript
const DEFAULT_SETTINGS = {
// ...
newLayerEnabled: false
}
const LAYER_NAME_MAP = {
// ...
'New Layer': 'newLayerEnabled'
}
```
4. **Add UI controls** in view template.
### Adding a New API Endpoint
1. **Add method to ApiClient** (`services/api_client.js`):
```javascript
async fetchNewData({ param1, param2 }) {
const params = new URLSearchParams({ param1, param2 })
const response = await fetch(`${this.baseURL}/new-endpoint?${params}`, {
headers: this.getHeaders()
})
if (!response.ok) {
throw new Error(`Failed to fetch: ${response.statusText}`)
}
return response.json()
}
```
2. **Add transformation** in DataLoader:
```javascript
newDataToGeoJSON(data) {
return {
type: 'FeatureCollection',
features: data.map(item => ({
type: 'Feature',
geometry: { /* ... */ },
properties: { /* ... */ }
}))
}
}
```
3. **Use in controller:**
```javascript
const data = await this.api.fetchNewData({ param1, param2 })
const geojson = this.dataLoader.newDataToGeoJSON(data)
this.layerManager.updateLayer('new-layer', geojson)
```
### Adding a New Utility
1. **Create utility file** in `utils/`:
```javascript
export class NewUtility {
static calculate(input) {
// Pure function - no side effects
return result
}
}
// Or singleton for stateful utilities
class NewManager {
constructor() {
this.state = {}
}
doSomething() {
// Stateful operation
}
}
export const newManager = new NewManager()
```
2. **Import and use:**
```javascript
import { NewUtility } from 'maps_maplibre/utils/new_utility'
const result = NewUtility.calculate(input)
```
## Best Practices
### Code Style
1. **Use ES6+ features:**
- Arrow functions
- Template literals
- Destructuring
- Async/await
- Classes
2. **Naming conventions:**
- Classes: `PascalCase`
- Methods/variables: `camelCase`
- Constants: `UPPER_SNAKE_CASE`
- Files: `snake_case.js`
3. **Always use semicolons** for statement termination
4. **Prefer `const` over `let`**, avoid `var`
### Performance
1. **Lazy load heavy features:**
```javascript
const Layer = await lazyLoader.loadLayer('name')
```
2. **Debounce frequent operations:**
```javascript
let timeout
function onInput(e) {
clearTimeout(timeout)
timeout = setTimeout(() => actualWork(e), 300)
}
```
3. **Use performance monitoring:**
```javascript
performanceMonitor.mark('operation')
// ... do work
performanceMonitor.measure('operation')
```
4. **Minimize DOM manipulations** - batch updates when possible
### Error Handling
1. **Always handle promise rejections:**
```javascript
try {
const data = await fetchData()
} catch (error) {
console.error('Failed:', error)
Toast.error('Operation failed')
}
```
2. **Provide user feedback:**
```javascript
Toast.success('Data loaded')
Toast.error('Failed to load data')
Toast.info('Click map to add point')
```
3. **Log errors for debugging:**
```javascript
console.error('[Component] Error details:', error)
```
### Memory Management
1. **Always cleanup in disconnect():**
```javascript
disconnect() {
this.searchManager?.destroy()
this.cleanup.cleanup()
this.map?.remove()
}
```
2. **Use CleanupHelper for event listeners:**
```javascript
this.cleanup = new CleanupHelper()
this.cleanup.addEventListener(element, 'click', handler)
// In disconnect():
this.cleanup.cleanup() // Removes all listeners
```
3. **Remove map layers and sources:**
```javascript
remove() {
this.getLayerIds().forEach(id => {
if (this.map.getLayer(id)) {
this.map.removeLayer(id)
}
})
if (this.map.getSource(this.sourceId)) {
this.map.removeSource(this.sourceId)
}
}
```
### Testing Considerations
1. **Keep methods small and focused** - easier to test
2. **Avoid tight coupling** - use dependency injection
3. **Separate pure functions** from side effects
4. **Use static methods** for stateless utilities
### State Management
1. **Single source of truth:**
- Settings: `SettingsManager`
- Layer data: Layer instances
- UI state: Controller properties
2. **Sync state with backend:**
```javascript
SettingsManager.updateSetting('key', value)
// Saves to both localStorage and backend
```
3. **Restore state on load:**
```javascript
async connect() {
this.settings = await SettingsManager.sync()
this.syncToggleStates()
}
```
### Documentation
1. **Add JSDoc comments for public APIs:**
```javascript
/**
* Fetch all points for date range
* @param {Object} options - { start_at, end_at, onProgress }
* @returns {Promise} All points
*/
async fetchAllPoints({ start_at, end_at, onProgress }) {
// ...
}
```
2. **Document complex logic with inline comments**
3. **Keep this README updated** when adding major features
### Code Organization
1. **One class per file** - easier to find and maintain
2. **Group related functionality** in directories
3. **Use index files** for barrel exports when needed
4. **Avoid circular dependencies** - use dependency injection
### Migration from Maps V1 to V2
When updating features, follow this pattern:
1. **Keep V1 working** - V2 is opt-in
2. **Share utilities** where possible (e.g., color calculations)
3. **Use same API endpoints** - maintain compatibility
4. **Document differences** in code comments
---
## Examples
### Complete Layer Implementation
See `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/layers/heatmap_layer.js` for a simple example.
### Complete Utility Implementation
See `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/utils/settings_manager.js` for state management.
### Complete Service Implementation
See `app/javascript/maps_maplibre/services/api_client.js` for API communication.
### Complete Controller Implementation
See `app/javascript/controllers/maps/maplibre_controller.js` for orchestration.
---
**Questions or need help?** Check the existing code for patterns or ask in Discord: https://discord.gg/pHsBjpt5J8