Definition
An Aura Component is a reusable UI building block created using Salesforce's legacy Aura framework. Aura components use a proprietary markup language (.cmp files), JavaScript controllers, and helpers to define interactive interfaces. While still supported, Salesforce recommends Lightning Web Components (LWC) for all new development due to better performance and alignment with modern web standards.
Real-World Example
A developer at CloudBridge Solutions maintains an Aura component called "AccountHierarchy" that visualizes parent-child Account relationships in an interactive tree view. The component uses a server-side Apex controller to fetch the hierarchy data, a client-side JavaScript controller to handle expand/collapse actions, and a helper to format the data. While it works reliably, the team plans to rebuild it as a Lightning Web Component to improve load times and reduce code complexity.
Why Aura Component Matters
An Aura Component is a reusable UI building block created using Salesforce's legacy Aura framework. Aura components use a proprietary markup language (.cmp files), JavaScript controllers, and helpers to define interactive interfaces. The Aura framework was introduced in 2014 as part of Lightning Experience and was the primary way to build custom Lightning UI for several years before Lightning Web Components arrived in 2019.
While Aura components are still fully supported and run in production across thousands of orgs, Salesforce strongly recommends Lightning Web Components (LWC) for all new development. LWC is built on modern web standards (Web Components, ES modules, shadow DOM), delivers better performance, and produces simpler code. Aura components can coexist with LWC on the same page, so migration can be gradual. Mature teams build all new UI in LWC and migrate Aura components based on priority.
How Organizations Use Aura Component
- CodeBridge — Maintains existing Aura components while building all new UI in Lightning Web Components.
- Quantum Labs — Plans gradual Aura-to-LWC migration based on component priority and usage.
- TerraForm Tech — Uses Aura components alongside LWC during their multi-year migration to modern standards.