Vue.js: A Speed Demon or Just a High-Risk Gambler?

Introduction

Let's take a moment to appreciate Vue.js Core repository---one of the most loved frameworks out there for building user interfaces. It's sleek, fast, and a favorite among developers, but behind this smooth sailing, there's a powerful engine running things - the Vue.js Core repository.

This case study dives deep into the ins and outs of their development process, particularly how their team manages to pull off lightning-fast merge times. With deployment speeds increasing like a sprinter in their final lap, the insights here can fuel other projects to hit similar velocity.

Let's break it down---numbers first, fun later!

The Mysterious Case of the Vue Repository: Middleware Detective Work Begins

It started out innocently enough. We were browsing through repositories, as you do, when something about the Vue.js Core repository stopped us in our tracks. The merges were just too smooth---like clockwork, perfectly timed and executed with precision. It felt like we had stumbled upon a secret formula, hidden in plain sight. Naturally, our Middleware sleuth instincts kicked in. What was powering this near-perfect process? Was there more to this story than met the eye?

Determined to crack the case, we brought out the heavy-duty tools---Middleware OSS ---to dig deep into the Dora Metrics data. As we started analyzing the Vue metrics, we couldn't help but get excited.

What did we find?

Well, let's just say, it's not your typical repository. The trends we uncovered will leave you asking: What's the secret behind Vue's efficiency? Curious? You should be...

Quick Merge Times: Vue's Superpower

The Vue.js Core team is all about speed when it comes to merging pull requests---they're like the Charles Leclerc of code merges, zooming past with incredible agility. Check out these jaw-dropping numbers:

June 2024: A speedy 3.6 hours per merge. They're off to a fantastic start!
July 2024: A mind-blowing 1.1 hours. Yes, you read that right---talk about a pit stop!
August 2024: A respectable 16.9 hours. Still fast, but a bit more like a cautious lap around the track and way under the average.

So, how do they keep this speedometer in the green zone? Here's the inside scoop:

High Number of PRs Merged Without Review: Out of 99 recent PRs, a whopping 88 were merged without a formal review. It's like skipping the line at a VIP club, cutting down wait times significantly. Examples? PR #11223 and PR #11036.
Efficient Reviewers: For the PRs that do need a review, the team is quick on the draw. Think of them as the pit crew changing tires in record time.
Automated Processes: Bots like Renovate[bot] handle dependency updates and maintenance tasks. They're the unsung heroes, taking care of the manual merging workload while the team focuses on high-speed merges.

In short, Vue.js Core's merging process is like watching a race car in action---swift, efficient, and occasionally thrilling!

Areas of Improvement: Erratic Lead Time

Even though the Vue.js Core team excels at merging pull requests with lightning speed, their lead times for changes have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride:

June 24: A brisk 13.4 hours---things were running smoothly.
July 24: A major slowdown to 17 days---imagine hitting a traffic jam on the freeway on new years eve during peak hours.
August 24: A full-blown detour to 24 days---like being stuck in an endless queue at a the bank.

These wild swings hint at some sneaky bottlenecks before the code even hits the merge stage. Here's what might have caused the turbulence:

Extended First Response Time: In July and August, the time to get a first response was like waiting for a slow-moving elevator---averaging nearly 2.5 days and 1.1 hours, respectively. It's clear that getting feedback wasn't exactly speedy.
Rework Time: August saw a spike in rework time, averaging 56 minutes. It's as if the code needed a few extra pit stops to get fine-tuned before it could be merged.

So, while the Vue.js team can zip through merges with ease, there's clearly some behind-the-scenes drama affecting how quickly changes make it through the whole process.

Nature of the Work: Not All PRs Are Created Equal

The Vue team juggles a delightful mix of tasks---like a chef expertly balancing different ingredients to whip up the perfect dish. Here's how they manage their kitchen:

Dependency Updates: Renovate[bot] is the key here, handling a ton of routine tasks behind the scenes. Like a friend who brings coffee when you're drowning in work, Renovate[bot] keeps things running smoothly by automatically managing dependency updates.
Examples? Look no further than PR #11317 and PR #11243---both handled effortlessly.
Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements: These PRs are like spring cleaning for code---dusting off old bugs and tuning up performance. Developers dive into the codebase to squash bugs and make everything run a little smoother.
Examples? Check out PR #11403, and PR#11360 for some solid examples of bug zapping and performance boosting.
Documentation and Tests: Let's not forget the essentials! Keeping the documentation fresh and tests updated is the backbone of any good repository. This constant effort ensures that both developers and users can stay on top of what's happening.
Examples? PR #11105 and PR #11483 are perfect showcases of how documentation and testing updates help maintain the project's long-term health.
Rework: Clocking in at just 4.58 hours, the repository's rework time is impressively low. Think of it like having to make a second trip to the grocery store because you forgot eggs---annoying, but if you can keep that time to a minimum, it's hardly a problem. By focusing on clean, well-structured code and efficient reviews, they avoid excessive back-and-forths, keeping the project on track without unnecessary delays.

All of these examples highlight how a balanced approach to PRs ensures the codebase stays in top form, from the little bug fixes to the big performance gains.

DORA Score: 8/10

Drumroll, please! So, after putting Vue Core under the microscope with our DORA Metrics toolkit, here's the scoop: Vue scores a strong 8/10. We're talking quick merges and frequent deployments that would make any dev team envious. But, like any coding hero, Vue has its kryptonite---lead time fluctuations and rework hours that pop up when you least expect them.

The big takeaway? Vue's process efficiency and automation are on point, but ironing out those consistency wrinkles would send their DORA score soaring. Compared to Google's annual DORA report, Vue's up there with the best. Want your project to hit those same levels of efficiency? Middleware's OSS is your go-to sidekick for chasing that perfect score!

Takeaways from Vue's Pit Crew Precision

Vue Core's strategies are worth replicating. Here's what your repo could learn:

Streamline reviews: For minor or low-risk changes, consider skipping reviews to save time---just like Vue does with 88% of its PRs.
Encourage fast reviewer responses: Vue's quick merges happen because reviewers don't snooze on their job. A prompt review culture can work wonders.
Automate the mundane: Use bots to handle routine tasks, freeing up developers for more critical work. Bots like Renovate[bot] make Vue's dependency updates practically disappear from the to-do list.

Conclusion: Vue.js Core: Speed Demon or Just a Really Fast Lame Duck

So, what's the deal with Vue.js Core? It's blazing through merges and deployments like a champ, but those lead times and rework times? They're like a wild rollercoaster ride that needs a bit of fine-tuning.

To truly elevate from impressive to impeccable, focusing on making lead times more consistent could be the game-changer.

If you're itching to spark some debates with fellow engineering leaders, dive into The Middle Out Community!

Trivia

Vue.js is named after a French word meaning "view"---a nod to its primary purpose of building user interfaces. The name reflects its focus on the "view layer" of applications, making it a popular choice for creating interactive and dynamic web experiences.

Plus, Vue's creator, Evan You, chose the name because it sounded similar to "view" and was easy to pronounce in multiple languages!

Blog