Wanted: UI5 developers. UI5 is mandatory, JavaScript is optional

[Sharathmg]

Hello All,

Our org. is in need of UI5 developers. The requirement is clear. The candidate should be able to develop using UI5. Then, on query about the need to know JavaScript, the team's reply, ' JavaScript? Not required'. I went silent and then remained silent.

The topic came across yesterday during my conversation with one of the team member, who shared the experience. I was just wondering, why do we always make the mistake of falling for the same trap or the same marketing gimmick. To clarify, I am not saying UI5 is a gimmick. Its just that we always tend to fall for the keywords.

UI5 is nothing more than a set of JavaScript libraries which are made available as open source by SAP. Its not a new language neither a new specification by SAP. Its just a set of features on top of existing web technology.

JavaScript is at the core of the development. The client side scripting language which has literally come to the fore front, is the actual engine behind the new user interface. In collaboration with HTML5 and CSS they form the trio of modern web technologies. UI5 is nothing more than set of SAP toolset on top of the trio. Its like an external API/JAR which is used within the existing framework.

To perceive UI5 as a new language the team leads make the mistake of giving importance to the terminologies. The fundamentals of JS are more important to the developer rather than the jargon. The technical terms can be adapted to by the developers in a few days. But, to have one without the necessary fundamentals, we risk giving another half-baked solution. Later, we blame the developer for not being good enough. Well, where was the wisdom of the team when the skill was identified based on the outer branding rather than the actual fundamentals.

We should give more impetus in using the technology trio and use the UI5 libraries to facilitate the SAP specific solution. The former is the key, the latter is an assist. Let us not mix it up, Once Again.

Best Regards,

Sharath