Are you looking for a job involving SharePoint Framework (SPFx)? Are you preparing for an interview and wondering what SPFx interview questions you might be asked? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog, we discuss the most popular SPFx interview questions and provide you with detailed answers.
SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a modern web framework for customizing and extending SharePoint experiences. SPFx has recently become a popular choice for SharePoint developers as it enables them to create powerful, modern, and responsive web parts. It provides a robust yet simple solution to build intranet and extranet portals that are tailored to your organization’s needs.
SPFx is a complex tool and it’s important to have a solid understanding of its features and capabilities when interviewing for a job involving it. To help you prepare, we’ll provide answers to some of the most commonly asked SPFx interview questions. We’ll cover topics related to the basics of SPFx, as well as its core components and development tools. We also provide tips and best practices for using SPFx.
Overview of SPFX Interview Process
The SPFX interview process can be broken down into a few key steps to help you prepare and make the most of your interview.
The first step of the process is the research stage. Here, you’ll want to research the company, their SPFX projects, and the team you’ll be working with. By doing this, you’ll be able to gain a better understanding of the company’s technical requirements and how you can best help them achieve their goals.
The next step of the process is to practice your interview skills. This includes finding practice interview questions and preparing answers to them, as well as role- playing with a friend or family member. This will give you a better understanding of how to present yourself and your skills in an interview.
The next step is to prepare for the interview itself. Here, you’ll want to make sure you have an up- to- date resume and a portfolio of your work. You’ll also want to practice your answers to any questions you might be asked and read up on the company.
Finally, it’s time for the interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your experience, technical knowledge, and past projects. You’ll also want to be prepared to discuss any portfolio pieces you may have and be able to answer questions about why you would be a good fit for the company.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to a successful SPFX interview. Good luck!
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Top 23 SPFX Interview Questions and Answers
1. What is a SPFX (SharePoint Framework) web part?
A SharePoint Framework (SPFx) web part is a type of client-side web part that is built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and is used to develop and deploy custom user experiences in SharePoint Online and on-premises. It is designed for easy integration with the SharePoint data and services, and can be used to extend the capabilities of a SharePoint site. SPFx web parts give developers the ability to create powerful, engaging experiences that are responsive and accessible.
2. What are the benefits of using SPFX?
The main benefits of using SharePoint Framework (SPFx) are:
- Increased productivity: SPFx helps developers to be more productive by providing an integrated development environment and tools, as well as allowing for code reuse and faster development cycles.
- Improved performance: SPFx web parts are designed for performance, and can be deployed to SharePoint Online and on-premises quickly and with minimal disruption.
- Enhanced user experiences: SPFx web parts can be used to create user experiences that are tailored to the needs of the end user, and can be integrated with other services and data sources to extend the capabilities of SharePoint.
3. What are the different types of SPFX web parts?
There are three core types of SPFx web parts:
- Client-Side Web Parts: These are used to create custom user experiences in SharePoint and integrate with other data sources.
- Application Customizers: These are used to customize the look and feel of the SharePoint pages.
- Field Customizers: These are used to customize the look and feel of individual fields.
4. What is the SharePoint Framework Yeoman Generator?
The Yeoman generator for the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a command-line tool that helps developers quickly scaffold a new client-side web part or application customizer. It is designed to provide developers with an easy way to create new solutions by providing a set of templates and tools that can be used to quickly generate a new project and get started.
5. What are the toolchains used in SPFX?
The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) uses a number of toolchains to build and deploy solutions. These include:
- Node.js: Node.js is used to create and run the package scripts and build processes.
- Gulp: Gulp is used to automate tasks such as compiling Sass and transpiling code.
- Yeoman: Yeoman is used to create the project scaffolding and generate new projects.
- TypeScript: TypeScript is used as the language of choice for developing SPFx solutions.
- Visual Studio Code: Visual Studio Code is used to develop and debug the solutions.
6. What technologies are used in SPFX development?
The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) uses a combination of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and TypeScript to develop solutions. It also uses Node.js and Gulp for package scripts and the build process, and Yeoman to generate new projects.
7. What are some of the best practices for SPFX development?
Some of the best practices for SPFx development include:
- Testing for cross-browser compatibility.
- Use responsive web design techniques.
- Leverage the features of the Office UI fabric.
- Utilize modern web technologies, such as ECMAScript 6 and TypeScript.
- Follow the latest coding standards and design patterns.
- Test each solution in the various supported browsers.
8. What is the process for deploying a SPFX web part?
The process for deploying a SharePoint Framework (SPFx) web part consists of the following steps:
- Package the solution: Firstly, the solution needs to be packaged into a deployable package.
- Upload the package: The package is then uploaded to the SharePoint app catalog in order to make it available for deployment.
- Deploy the package: The package can then be deployed to the SharePoint site or environment where it is needed.
- Activate the package: Finally, the package needs to be activated in order to make it available for use in the site or environment.
9. How do you debug SPFX web parts?
SharePoint Framework (SPFx) web parts can be debugged in a number of ways. One of the most common ways to debug SPFx web parts is to use the browser’s developer tools, such as the Chrome Developer Tools or the Firefox Developer Tools. These provide an interface to view the source code, set breakpoints, and view the output of the web part. Additionally, it is possible to debug SPFx web parts using the Visual Studio Code debugger, which provides a more advanced debugging experience.
10. What is the difference between SPFX web parts and Add-ins?
The main difference between SharePoint Framework (SPFx) web parts and Add-ins is that SPFx web parts are client-side solutions that are built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They are used to develop custom user experiences in SharePoint and integrate with other data sources. On the other hand, Add-ins are server-side solutions that are built using .NET and can be used to extend the capabilities of SharePoint.
11. What is the SharePoint Framework Client Side Object Model (CSOM)?
The SharePoint Framework Client Side Object Model (CSOM) is a JavaScript library that provides a set of objects and methods that can be used to access and manipulate data on the SharePoint server. It is available for both SharePoint Online and on-premises and can be used to create custom user experiences in SharePoint.
12. What are the different types of SPFX components?
The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) contains a number of different components, including:
- Web Parts: These are used to create custom user experiences in SharePoint.
- Application Customizers: These are used to customize the look and feel of the SharePoint pages.
- Field Customizers: These are used to customize the look and feel of individual fields.
- Extensions: These are used to extend the capabilities of SharePoint.
13. What is the SharePoint Framework Toolchain?
The SharePoint Framework Toolchain is a set of tools and frameworks that are used to build and deploy SPFx solutions. It includes the following components:
- Node.js: Node.js is used to create and run the package scripts and build processes.
- Gulp: Gulp is used to automate tasks such as compiling Sass and transpiling code.
- Yeoman: Yeoman is used to create the project scaffolding and generate new projects.
- TypeScript: TypeScript is used as the language of choice for developing SPFx solutions.
- Visual Studio Code: Visual Studio Code is used to develop and debug the solutions.
14. What are the different types of SPFX Projects?
The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) has a number of different project types, including:
- Web Parts: These are used to create custom user experiences in SharePoint.
- Application Customizers: These are used to customize the look and feel of the SharePoint pages.
- Field Customizers: These are used to customize the look and feel of individual fields.
- Extensions: These are used to extend the capabilities of SharePoint.
15. What is the purpose of the SPFX yeoman generator?
The Yeoman generator for the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a command-line tool that helps developers quickly scaffold a new client-side web part or application customizer. It is designed to provide developers with an easy way to create new solutions by providing a set of templates and tools that can be used to quickly generate a new project and get started.
16. What is the purpose of the “gulp serve” command?
The “gulp serve” command is used to test and debug the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) solution in the local workbench. When the command is executed, it will start a local web server and open a browser window to the local workbench, allowing developers to test and debug the web part.
17. What is the SPFX Solution Deployment process?
The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) Solution Deployment process consists of the following steps:
- Package the solution: Firstly, the solution needs to be packaged into a deployable package.
- Upload the package: The package is then uploaded to the SharePoint app catalog in order to make it available for deployment.
- Deploy the package: The package can then be deployed to the SharePoint site or environment where it is needed.
- Activate the package: Finally, the package needs to be activated in order to make it available for use in the site or environment.
18. What is the purpose of TypeScript in SPFX development?
TypeScript is used as the language of choice for developing SharePoint Framework (SPFx) solutions. It is a typed superset of JavaScript that adds optional static typing and type inference, which can help to improve the quality of code and reduce the number of errors.
19. What is the SharePoint Framework Client-Side Object Model (CSOM)?
The SharePoint Framework Client-Side Object Model (CSOM) is a set of .NET client-side libraries that enable developers to access and manipulate SharePoint data and services from a remote or local client. CSOM allows developers to access SharePoint data via the REST API and the Managed Client Object Model (MCOM). CSOM provides developers with a platform-independent object model that can be used to build powerful and engaging user experiences. Developers can use CSOM to create, update, delete, and query SharePoint objects such as Lists, Libraries, Items, and Users. CSOM also enables developers to access the full capabilities of SharePoint, including search, user profiles, and the SharePoint ribbon.
20. What is the purpose of the gulp serve command in SPFx?
The gulp serve command is used to package and serve a SharePoint Framework (SPFx) solution from a local development environment. The command packages the web part into a deployable .sppkg file and deploys it to a local workbench. This allows the developer to quickly iterate and test the web part in a local environment, without having to deploy to the SharePoint tenant. It also allows the developer to debug their code in the browser and view the console log to identify any issues that may be present.
21. What are the prerequisites for using SPFx?
The prerequisites for using SPFx are:
- A SharePoint tenant with an Office 365 subscription
- The latest version of Node.js installed
- A modern web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
- The SharePoint Framework Yeoman Generator installed
- An IDE such as Visual Studio Code
22. What is the difference between SPFx web parts and extensions?
The main difference between SPFx web parts and extensions is in the purpose they provide. Web parts are used to create interactive and engaging user experiences within SharePoint. Extensions are used to provide additional custom functionality that can be used across the entire SharePoint site. Web parts are rendered on specific SharePoint pages, while extensions are available across all pages on the site. Web parts are written using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and TypeScript, while extensions are written using TypeScript, React, and Office UI Fabric.
23. What are the different types of SPFx extensions?
There are three types of SPFx extensions: Application Customizers, Field Customizers, and Command Sets. Application Customizers allow developers to customize the overall look and feel of a SharePoint site. Field Customizers allow developers to customize the appearance and behavior of SharePoint fields. Command Sets allow developers to add custom actions and commands to the SharePoint user interface. All three types of extensions are written using TypeScript, React, and Office UI Fabric.
Tips on Preparing for a SPFX Interview
- Research the company and their SPFX tools. Know what they’re working on and what tools they use.
- Practice your coding and scripting skills. Make sure you are comfortable with the basics.
- Familiarize yourself with the features, tools, and workflow of SPFX.
- Prepare for questions about the types of SPFX work you’ve completed in the past.
- Know the best practices for working with SPFX and be able to explain them.
- Consider what kind of questions a SPFX interviewer might ask and practice your answers.
- Prepare examples of your work and be ready to present them in the interview.
- Brush up on your technical knowledge about SPFX and the industry.
- Practice your troubleshooting skills. Be ready to think on your feet and solve problems quickly.
- Be familiar with the latest updates in the SPFX world.
- Make sure you can explain why you’re the best person for the job.
- Bring a portfolio of previous SPFX work to show the interviewer.
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
- Dress appropriately for the interview.
- Be confident and have a positive attitude.
Conclusion
Overall, SPFX is a powerful development platform for creating custom solutions for SharePoint. As a prospective SPFX developer, it is important to understand its core concepts, the various tools and frameworks available, and the potential challenges you may face during its implementation. The above SPFX interview questions and answers should provide you with a better understanding of its key concepts and help you prepare for a successful SPFX interview.