Step 1 - 9, click here
Step 10.
Current Google map api version 3 has not been changed since 2009, 16 years ago. That means, if you write a google map website in 2009, it will still runs good today without any change during last 16 years ! Looks like google will keep V3 for ever, no plan to change so far.
If you invest google map api 16 years ago, it will last up to date.
Step 11.
This does not means google map has not change over past 16 years.
On the opposite, google map api update weekly, monthly, quaterly with different build number,
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/versions
Step 12.
Google map change is under the hook, the interface is not change. Google change inside of the engine, inside of transmission, but not change the way you drive the car, gas pedal, brake pedal, steering wheel, has no change since.
Step 13.
If you invest million $$$ on Arcgis Javascript API on 2016, your investment will last at least 10 years so far, because 4th generation api released on 2016, no retire date planned so far, means it will continue to last a lot more years down the road.
Step 14.
If you invest million $$$ on Arcgis Javascript API on 2010, your investment will last 6 to 14 years because 3rd generation api released on 2010, retired in 2024.
3rd generation is not compatible with 4th generation api.
Step 15.
If you invest million $$$ on experience builder, technically it will last for 6 months only, because it is build out model, not upgradable, ESRI release new version of experience builder every 6 months.
https://developers.arcgis.com/experience-builder/guide/release-versions/
There is hack way to upgrade experience builder, if you don't have custom widget, you might get some luck. ESRI does not recommend you hack them. But if you have custom wiget build, it will completely broken, since ESRI will discard widget system completely in 2026. With component based experience builder in 2026, it obviously will not work with your custom build widget.
Step 16.
What I use on this website?
I use google map api Version 3 and ESRI javascript API 4th generation. I always use latest release.
I have not change the code of google map since 2014. That means 11 years ago I wrote the google map apps still runs good in 2025 without any change, even it actually use weekly version ( google update new feature, fix bugs inside of it weekly )
Step 17.
Esri version is different from google. Esri v4.32 and v4.33 have breaking through change inside of it. v4.32 and before to 4.01 is wiget based system. You will have to write require ( your widget path ). Starting from v4.33, you don't have to write require widget. Instead you can write import module and use html tag as component.
Step 18.
From v4.01(2016) to v4.32(Feb, 2025), esri update new feature, fix bugs inside of it, no code change from you. Your investment will last up to date.
Step 19.
From v4.32(Feb, 2025) to v4.33(June, 2025) widget system was replaced by component system. There is substantial code change from you. You don't lose your previous investment, but you do need invest a little money to cover the substantial code change
Step 20.
After this biggest code change in past 10 years since 2016, there will be no code change in next coming 10 years. Your million $$$ investment will last at least 20 years.
Step 21.
Custom widget in experience builder only last 6 months technically. Whenever you upgrade your enterprise portal, arcgis server, it will broken, at this point your million $$$ investment on custom widget will be wasted, you have to get another million $$$ from tax payer to re-build custom widget on newer version of experience builder. 6 months or sooner or later, do the same things again. federal agency are doing this way, find the experience builder here
HRSA (medicare medicaid grant & funding GIS database)
state agency also doing this way, find the experience builder here
1).caltrans DOT gis asset 2).rebuildca project map playground