Web developers are always at a crossroads, having to select between a variety of development frameworks for their project. It is a typical topic of discussion among developers on how to select a framework for their next major project. ReactJS, Vue.js, and Angular are some of the frameworks that have grown in popularity and are causing confusion among developers. This guide briefly explains you the comparison between React vs. Angular vs. Vue.js.
The key distinction between these three is that React is a UI library, whereas Vue is a progressive framework. However, Angular is a fully functional front-end framework. According to the StackOverflow Survey 2022, React is the favored framework of 42.14% of developers, followed by Angular (22.96%) and Vue (18.97%). This guide will assist you decide which framework to employ before starting your next project.
What is a framework?
A software framework is a piece of code that does a specific job, regardless of the programme in which it is done. Using the framework eliminates the requirement for the programmer to build the code for the functionality from scratch and allows him to add a few extra lines to customize it for the application he is developing. The use of frameworks promotes code reuse, enables rapid application development, and facilitates programme debugging.
What is a library?
A library is a collection of code already produced by another programmer that others can lawfully use to build their own programmes. This code reusability considerably improves code organization and speeds up the overall process.
Consider the real-world example of an automobile. An automobile is constructed utilizing many components. The pieces are previously constructed based on the function they are intended to accomplish. When building a car, the parts are assembled and the work is completed. During the car’s construction, the parts are not created from scratch.
Programmers utilize frameworks and libraries in the same way. Whenever an application is to be constructed, programmers assemble the necessary frameworks and libraries to build it, adding a few lines here and there to shape it to the unique application.
What is the difference between a framework and a library?
The key distinction between frameworks and libraries is control over the application. In the case of a library, you have full control. You use the library when and where it is required. The scenario is much different in the case of a framework: the framework permits you to add a little code here and there for customization, but it decides whether or not to use all of your code.
- AngularJS, a framework created by Google in 2010.
- React JS is a library created by Facebook in 2013.
- Vue.js, a framework designed by Google employee Evan You in 2016 (the reason for Vue having all the powerful capabilities of Angular baked into it).
All frameworks and libraries have their own functionality, and each has a unique use case, however in this article, we try to clarify their individual pros, cons, and functions from a business perspective.
Angular JS
The best part about Angular is that it is constantly updated. Angular releases an update every six months, and each new version builds on the previous one. Take the Angular 11 upgrade, for example, which has fixed all of the problems from the prior version. Of course, you must monitor the updates because the code may be affected by a significant upgrade. But Google makes sure to wait another 6 months following an update before removing the previous tools, giving you a full year to alter code if necessary. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are also other reasons why Angular is popular among large-scale apps with advanced features that want to extend further.
High performance and functionality at a minimal cost
Angular is a strong framework with all of the necessary functionalities built into its official library. And, because it comes from Google, you can be confident in the code’s quality and advanced security features. Web development with AngularJS requires fewer third-party library imports, considerably lowering app development expenses.
Maintenance
Maintenance of Angular JS code is usually a piece of cake because it leverages Typescript, a simpler form of Javascript that allows developers to detect erroneous code while typing.
Aside from that, Angular imports dependencies (external code repositories) to aid in testing, making the entire process of testing the app go smoothly.
Reusability
As a decision-maker, you must be concerned about development costs and time to market. Clean, consistent code is an important aspect of AngularJS development that contributes to a reduction in both. You can use it several times without causing any confusion.
Declarative UI
One of the primary distinctions between React and Angular, the two most prominent Javascript frameworks, is that, while UI and functionality are combined into the same components in React, they are significantly different in Angular.
Angular’s user interface is written in plain HTML, and the functionality is implemented using Javascript. As a result, developers do not need to worry about program flows and can just add functions to the UI.
Simple architecture
The basic architecture allows for faster app development without cumbersome code, resulting in a lightweight website. This makes it easier for users to navigate websites created with AngularJS.
React JS
Since its debut by Facebook in 2013, this open-source Javascript toolkit has grown fairly popular for building interactive web and mobile apps. The React library has become popular among developers for three main reasons:
- Code Reusability enables developers to reuse blocks of code for a simple function.
- Easy-to-use – Although React is more difficult to learn than Vue, it has a lower learning curve than AngularJS.
- Customisable – The key distinction between the library and the framework is control. This is where React outperforms Angular as it is extremely customisable. In contrast to Angular, which does not allow for much customisation, you have complete control over the library and can add only the pieces you require.
According to estimates, 42% of developers favor React Native for developing cross-platform applications. Here are some additional reasons why you can rely on ReactJS:
SEO-Friendly
To succeed on the Internet, you must establish a strong online presence, which is best accomplished with a good SEO strategy. The clean and straightforward code of React reduces the page load time of a website to nearly nothing. And page load time is an important consideration. According to Google, the likelihood of a mobile site user bouncing increases by 123% when the page load time rises from 1 second to 10 seconds.
React Developer Tools
React Developer Tools is a Chrome and Firefox extension that can be quite useful for making quick changes to the UI and viewing the application’s current state. If you require expert assistance with the DevTools extension, consider the ReactJS development team. You’ll be able to make the best use of the tools thanks to their knowledge.
Migration to React Native
Whether you’re beginning a new business or expanding an existing one, in 2021, you’ll always want to develop a mobile application if you haven’t already. React Native is now one of the most popular cross-platform mobile app development frameworks due to the high performance of cross-platform apps produced with it. Additionally, the easy migration of components from React JS to React Native reduces time-to-market. All the developers would have to do is test the UI on mobile devices and then make the necessary modifications to make it more mobile-friendly.
Stability resulting from one-way data binding
React JS applications are built as a succession of components, with functionalities provided from parent to child component via arguments. This is known as one-way data binding or the unidirectional flow of data. Because of this one feature, it is extremely easy to make modifications in React apps. Whatever changes you make in the child components do not affect the parent components, so even after modifications and updates, the code remains consistent.
Easy migration of technology
Nobody imagined the digital world to be as it is currently even ten years ago, and given the rate at which it is evolving, the web may appear to be a completely different creature ten years from now. Thus, enterprises must use tools and technology that facilitate the transition to improved infrastructures. Since React JS is essentially a library, you can simply plug the React code wherever you need it, regardless of infrastructure. This will have absolutely no impact on performance.
Vue.js
Since Vue.js is a newcomer, few firms have participated in Vue.js development, so real-time evaluation of Vue.js’s benefits and drawbacks is limited. However, we do know that Vue.js provides the best of both worlds: two-way data binding like Angular and code freedom like React. As a result, Vue.js is quickly rising through the ranks and has a sizable market in Asia, with major players such as Alibaba and Xiaomi using Vue.js.
Hence, the fastest JavaScript framework, TezJS, employs Vue.js as the core backbone of the language.
Vue.js is ideally suited for lightweight, high-performance, intuitive apps since they can be released rapidly without sacrificing performance or functionality. Let’s take a quick look at what makes Vue.js an attractive option for enterprises.
Size and Simplicity
It is a small framework of only 21KB, so downloading and starting takes almost no time! Even the code in Vue is short and easy; what would normally take tens of lines in jQuery will only take a line or two in Vue. This enables for the efficient construction of applications and templates. Even GitLab is impressed with Vue, stating, “Vue JS comes with the perfect balance of what it can do for you and what you need to do yourself.”
Improves performance
Third-party simulations have demonstrated that Vue outperforms Angular and React when handling rows and columns in tables. This is because, unlike Angular, Vue has a virtual DOM, which is lighter than React’s.
Error Reporting
Debugging in Vue occurs concurrently with the coding process. You can visualize the UI that your code will take on as you create it, allowing developers, including juniors, to readily debug it.
We’ve gathered all of our thoughts and facts about Angular, React, and Vue here.
Angular vs React
If your decision is just based on Angular vs React, you’ll only need to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each library covered in this article. Overall, keep in mind that both libraries may be used for mobile and web apps, with Angular being better suited to more complicated, enterprise-ready products.
React frequently requires additional modules and components, which keeps the core library short but adds extra work when incorporating external tools. Angular, on the other hand, is a more complete solution that does not require additional components, as React frequently does, however its core has a steeper learning curve than React.
React is better suited to intermediate to expert JavaScript developers who are familiar with principles from ES6 and above, whereas Angular prefers developers who are also knowledgeable with TypeScript.
React vs Vue
The choice between React and Vue is frequently disputed, and it is not an easy one. Vue has a thriving and expanding community, and in many ways, it has surpassed React in popularity. React developers are still creating new components and extras, so there is no indication that React is on the drop.
Vue is often better suited to smaller, less complex apps and is easier to learn from scratch than React. Vue can be easier to incorporate into new or current applications, and many people believe that using HTML templates in conjunction with JSX is advantageous.
Overall, Vue may be the greatest option if you’re a newer developer who isn’t as familiar with complex JavaScript principles, whereas React is ideal for experienced programmers and developers who have dealt with object-oriented JavaScript, functional JavaScript, and related concepts.
Angular vs Vue
In most circumstances, you wouldn’t have to choose between just Angular and Vue. They are vastly different libraries, with distinct feature sets and learning curves. Vue is the obvious choice for inexperienced developers, while Angular is favored for larger applications.
A huge library like Angular requires more effort to keep up with what’s new, whereas Vue would be less demanding in this regard, and the fact that the two most recent major releases of Vue are in different repositories helps.
It’s also worth noting that Vue was designed by a developer who previously worked on Angular for Google, so it’s something to consider, but it won’t have a significant impact on your decision.
Conclusion
All three have benefits: Angular is robust and time-tested, React is flexible and speedy, and Vue is simple and performant. However, the type of framework or library you want for your business is entirely dependent on your business needs and the vision you have for your online application. The best approach would be to hire a front end development services provider and describe exactly what you want out of the app.
Xelent Solution can help you in this area because we have experience with full-stack JavaScript development. If you have any questions, concerns, or are unsure about which framework is appropriate for your business, please contact us.
