Learning to code custom widgets in for the ESRI web app builder

Question

I would like to learn how to write the code for custom widgets for the ESRI web app builder for work but I am finding the learning curve more challenging than anticipated. Does anyone know a good resource to check out? I find most tutorials on the web app builder focus on the idea of "building apps without writing code" but that's not what I am trying to learn in this instance. Thanks!!!

ChristopherCounsell · Answer

+1 for not learning Web AppBuilder. Learn Experience Builder.

You should first take a look at page 7 of this technical paper, noting that out of the box is generally enough and preferable:

https://www.esri.com/content/dam/esrisites/en-us/media/technical-papers/architecting-the-arcgis-system.pdf

Then I'd recommend the developer summit videos as a starting point. Extending the ArcGIS Experience builder from 2022 is below and 2023 should be coming out soon.

https://mediaspace.esri.com/media/t/1_r0gqna4c

kenbuja · Answer

Is there a reason you want to learn how to build widgets for Web AppBuilder? This is old technology based on the decade-old JavaScript 3.x API and will be retired soon.  It would make sense to concentrate on learning how to code Experience Builder widgets (which uses the more modern JavaScript 4.x API), unless you need widgets that haven't been added to it.

It does have a higher learning curve, though. You should start by looking at this page on what you'll need to know.