Data Agent Lightweight, declarative tools for simple, repetitive tasks

Data Agents in Blocktail offer a lightweight alternative to Observers for implementing simple, repetitive, or third-party functionalities across web applications. They provide an efficient way to apply pre-approved behaviors without the overhead of full Observers.

Data Agents serve as sanctioned liaisons, implementing repetitive or third-party functionalities across our web application. Like specialized envoys in an ecosystem, they apply pre-approved behaviors, such as animations or interactive features that don't require complex oversight or a standalone JS file.

• Lightweight: Designed for efficient implementation of simple functionalities
• Declarative: Implemented using HTML attributes, aligning with Blocktail's HTML-centric approach
• Reusable: Easily applied across multiple elements
• Third-party Integration: Data Agents provide a simple, declarative interface for integrating external libraries, allowing you to easily apply behaviors like animations, scroll effects, and data visualizations without writing extensive custom JavaScript.

HTML Declaration

Data Agents are declared using the data-agents attribute:

<div class="hero_section" data-agents="GsapParallax,GsapTextReveal">
  <h1>Welcome to my page</h1>
  <p>Discover amazing content</p>
</div>

JavaScript Implementation

A basic JavaScript implementation might look like this:

// Note: This is a simplified example. In production, consider using 
// more robust error handling and potentially a module system.
const dataAgents = {
  GsapParallax: (element) => {
    // Direct implementation of GSAP parallax effect
    gsap.to(element, {
      y: (i, target) => -parseFloat(target.getAttribute('data-speed')) * scrollY,
      ease: "none",
      scrollTrigger: {
        trigger: element,
        start: "top bottom",
        end: "bottom top",
        scrub: true
      }
    });
  },
  // Other agent implementations...
};
// Apply data agents
document.querySelectorAll('[data-agents]').forEach(element => {
  const agents = element.getAttribute('data-agents').split(',');
  agents.forEach(agent => {
    if (dataAgents[agent]) {
      dataAgents[agent](element);
    }
  });
});

For more complex applications, consider implementing an AgentManager similar to the ObserverManager:

class AgentManager {
 constructor() {
   this.agents = {};
 }
 registerAgent(name, agentFunction) {
   this.agents[name] = agentFunction;
 }
 init() {
   document.querySelectorAll('[data-agents]').forEach(this.applyAgents.bind(this));
 }
 applyAgents(element) {
   const agentNames = element.getAttribute('data-agents').split(',');
   agentNames.forEach(name => {
     if (this.agents[name]) {
       this.agents[name](element);
     }
   });
 }
}

When working with module bundlers, be cautious with dynamic imports for Data Agents. Depending on your project's requirements and bundler configuration, you might choose either:

1. A single AgentManager that loads all agents upfront.
2. A module-based approach with dynamic imports (ensure your bundler supports this).

Choose the method that best balances your needs for code splitting, initial load time, and overall performance.

Simplified interaction models - Data Agents are designed for use cases that don’t require event-driven monitoring or complex dynamic behavior. For use cases involving state management or multi-step interactions, Observers are a better choice.

1. Quick integration of third-party libraries
2. Application of simple, repeatable effects
3. Scenarios where full Observer capabilities are unnecessary
4. Standardizing common behaviors across a project

1. Declarative and Seamless: Data Agents are applied declaratively in HTML, ensuring automatic application without extra JS calls. 
2. Standardized Behavior: Data Agents centralize reusable behaviors and enforce consistent implementation, unlike one-off utility functions, which may lead to scattered and inconsistent usage.
3. Structured Integration: Provides a well-organized method for incorporating external libraries within a cohesive framework, reducing ad-hoc JavaScript code and maintaining project consistency.

While Observers manage complex, event-driven interactions that respond to dynamic changes, Data Agents are ideal for simple, declarative behaviors. For example, use Observers for multi-step workflows or state management, while reserving Data Agents for lightweight tasks such as animating sections or integrating third-party libraries.

1. Keep It Simple: Data Agents should handle straightforward tasks. For complex behaviors, use Observers.
2. Naming Conventions: Use clear, descriptive names for your Data Agents.
3. Avoid Function Creep: Ensure Data Agents remain focused on simple tasks like animations or basic DOM manipulation. Use Observers for more sophisticated behaviors like user-triggered events or multi-step processes to maintain a clean separation of responsibilities.

By reducing the need for event-driven monitoring and limiting complex processing, Data Agents contribute to faster load times and improved runtime performance.

Data Agents in Blocktail offer a lightweight, modular solution for simple, repetitive functionalities across web applications. By keeping behaviors declarative, they reduce JavaScript overhead while maintaining consistency across your codebase. This ensures that projects stay performant and maintainable even as they scale.