How to create a responsive layout in OutSystems using built-in UI patterns and breakpoints?

Creating a Responsive Layout in OutSystems Using Built-In UI Patterns and Breakpoints

 

Developing a responsive layout in OutSystems involves using its built-in UI patterns and the concept of breakpoints to ensure that your application looks great on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile phones. This guide provides a detailed, thorough walkthrough on how to create such responsive layouts in OutSystems.

 

Prerequisites

 

• An OutSystems account with access to the Service Studio, ready for application development.
• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and responsive design principles.
• A foundational grasp of how OutSystems applications are structured, with familiarity in creating Web Screens and using UI Patterns.

 

Understanding Responsive Design and Breakpoints

 

• Responsive design ensures your application automatically adjusts its layout for multiple screen sizes and orientations.
• Breakpoints are CSS media query conditions that allow you to specify different styles for certain device dimensions.
• In OutSystems, breakpoints are predefined and can be used to facilitate the responsive adjustment of your web pages.

 

Exploring Built-In UI Patterns

 

• OutSystems provides a rich set of UI Patterns that are already designed with responsiveness in mind.
• Available patterns include layout structures — such as columns and grids — as well as functional patterns like cards, tabs, and modals.

 

Setting Up Your OutSystems Project

 

• Open OutSystems Service Studio and create a new Reactive Web App if you haven't already.
• Navigate to the 'Interface' tab to access your UI elements and screens.
• Create a new Web Screen to serve as the basis of your layout.

 

Implementing a Responsive Layout

 

• Within your Web Screen, use the Layout Pattern from OutSystems’ UI Patterns. This serves as the skeleton for collaboration with responsive design.
• Select a Layout Pattern that fits the design requirement of your page — for example, "Two Columns" or "Grid."
• Drag the layout onto your web screen and begin adding UI components such as containers, images, and text.
• Use the properties pane to adjust attributes like width, alignment, and others for specific layouts.
• Ensure that UI Patterns are used thoughtfully to adapt easily across devices.

 

Utilizing Breakpoints

 

• Identify and set breakpoints to handle responsive design at various screen sizes. In OutSystems, the default breakpoints are:
• Small Devices (Mobile: 0-767px)
• Medium Devices (Tablets: 768-991px)
• Large Devices (Desktops: 992-1199px)
• Extra Large Devices (Large Desktops: 1200px and up)
• Edit the CSS at each breakpoint to customize the appearance for different devices. This can be done via the "Style" tab in Service Studio.
• Use media queries within the stylesheet to specify different styles for each breakpoint.

  @media (max-width: 767px) {
    /_ Custom Styles for Small Devices _/
  }

  @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 991px) {
    /_ Custom Styles for Medium Devices _/
  }

  @media (min-width: 992px) {
    /_ Custom Styles for Large Devices _/
  }
  

 

Testing Your Responsive Layout

 

• Use the "Preview" mode in Service Studio to see how the application looks on different screen sizes.
• Test the application on actual devices when possible to ensure that the design elements appear correctly and the interface feels intuitive.
• Check for usability issues such as touch targets being too small or text being illegibly small.

 

Refining and Deploying Your Responsive Application

 

• Iterate on your design by refining the UI patterns and styles based on testing feedback.
• Use OutSystems' deployment tools to move your application from development to production, ensuring that the application maintains responsiveness in real-world environments.
• Continuously monitor user feedback for further improvements under the same responsive layout principles.

 

By following these steps, you can effectively leverage OutSystems' built-in UI patterns and breakpoints to create a seamless and responsive layout. This approach not only enhances the visual appeal of the application across different devices but also improves user experience by ensuring accessibility and ease of navigation.