Modern enterprise applications require smooth navigation between different views or pages to deliver a seamless user experience. SAP UI5, as a leading framework for building web-based enterprise apps, provides a powerful routing mechanism that enables developers to implement multi-page applications (MPAs) efficiently. This article explores how to implement routing and navigation in SAP UI5 to build scalable and maintainable multi-page apps.
Routing in SAP UI5 refers to managing navigation between views based on the URL hash (fragment identifier). It enables:
Navigation refers to the actual movement between these views, typically triggered by user actions like button clicks or menu selections.
manifest.jsonRouting is configured centrally in the manifest.json file, ensuring consistency and ease of maintenance.
Example:
"routing": {
"config": {
"routerClass": "sap.m.routing.Router",
"viewType": "XML",
"viewPath": "myApp.view",
"controlId": "app",
"controlAggregation": "pages",
"transition": "slide"
},
"routes": [
{
"pattern": "",
"name": "home",
"target": "home"
},
{
"pattern": "detail/{productId}",
"name": "detail",
"target": "detail"
}
],
"targets": {
"home": {
"viewName": "Home"
},
"detail": {
"viewName": "Detail"
}
}
}
pattern: "") shows the Home view.productId) to display specific product details.Create the XML views corresponding to each target (Home.view.xml and Detail.view.xml), defining the UI layout.
In Component.js, initialize and start the router:
this.getRouter().initialize();
In a controller, trigger navigation using the router’s navTo method:
this.getOwnerComponent().getRouter().navTo("detail", {
productId: "12345"
});
This changes the URL hash and loads the Detail view for product ID 12345.
In the target view’s controller (e.g., Detail.controller.js), listen for the route match event to retrieve parameters:
onInit: function() {
this.getOwnerComponent().getRouter().getRoute("detail").attachPatternMatched(this._onRouteMatched, this);
},
_onRouteMatched: function(oEvent) {
var productId = oEvent.getParameter("arguments").productId;
// Use productId to fetch data or update UI
}
SAP UI5 routing automatically supports browser back and forward buttons, preserving user navigation history and improving UX.
manifest.json.targets to load views only when needed, enhancing performance.Routing and navigation form the backbone of multi-page SAP UI5 applications. By mastering SAP UI5’s routing framework, developers can build responsive, intuitive, and maintainable enterprise applications that meet modern user expectations.
Implementing routing not only enhances user experience but also provides a scalable architecture for growing applications. Whether you are creating simple navigation flows or complex multi-view apps, SAP UI5’s routing capabilities are essential tools in your development arsenal.