SharePoint Framework (SPFx)

The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a modern development model for building applications and extensions for SharePoint. It allows developers to create custom solutions that integrate seamlessly with SharePoint's capabilities and user interface. Here are the key features of SPFx:

Key Features

Client-Side Development: SPFx is built on modern web technologies such as TypeScript, React, Angular, and others, enabling developers to create rich client-side applications.
Responsive Design: Applications built using SPFx are responsive by default, ensuring they work well on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
No IFrame: SPFx solutions run in the context of the SharePoint page, eliminating the need for iframes, and allow for a more integrated user experience.
Access to SharePoint REST APIs: SPFx provides easy access to SharePoint REST services, allowing developers to interact with SharePoint data seamlessly.
Web Part Development: SPFx allows developers to create web parts that can be added to SharePoint pages, enhancing customization and user experience.
Extensions: SPFx supports the development of extensions, such as Application Customizers, Field Customizers, and List View Command Sets, to extend SharePoint's functionality.

Development Environment

To develop SPFx solutions, developers typically set up their local environment with:

Node.js
Yeoman
SharePoint Framework Yeoman Generator (for scaffolding projects)
Gulp (for build and deployment tasks)

Deployment

SPFx solutions can be deployed to SharePoint Online and on-premises versions of SharePoint (2016 Feature Pack 2 and later). They can be deployed via:

App Catalog
SharePoint Store

The SharePoint Framework represents a paradigm shift in how developers can build and deploy solutions for SharePoint, enabling a more flexible, agile, and modern approach to SharePoint development.