Web Perf Hero: SD0001

@SD0001 implemented Package files for Gadgets (T198758). This enables gadget maintainers to bundle JSON files, unpacked via require(). This improves performance by avoiding delays from extra web requests. It also improves security by allowing safe contributions to JSON pages, as pure data with validated syntax on-edit. Previously, admins on Wikimedia wikis for example, would need script editing access for this and rely on copy-paste instructions from another person via the talk page.

SD0001 also introduced Module::getSkins in ResourceLoader, and used it in the startup module to optimise away unneeded module registrations. We just shipped the first adoption of this for Gadgets (T236603). In the future, we’ll use this to optimise MediaWiki’s own skin modules as well.

Further reading

• Wikipedia’s JavaScript initialisation on a budget (2019)

Web Perf Hero award

The Web Perf Hero award is given to individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the web performance of Wikimedia projects. The initiative is led by the Performance Team and started mid-2020. It is awarded quarterly and takes the form of a Phabricator badge.

Read about past recipients at Web Perf Hero award on Wikitech.