The structure of JavaScript is the major reason that makes it perfect for the development of dynamic applications, websites, and games. It is very easy to use because of two reasons: its syntax and its ecosystem.
The JavaScript Ecosystem
It is a collection of all the software packages, resources, and libraries that can be leveraged in the development process, and the best part is, they integrate with each other seamlessly. These best JS frameworks and libraries are developed by programmers all around the globe like for example Angular framework was developed by Google, React library was created by Facebook, and Vue.js was created by an independent developer named Evan You.
These ecosystem tools help a developer from the start of the development till the final deployment. Popular tools are usually more stable, and they often have more resources and community support than less popular tools. Developer satisfaction is another key indicator of a good tool.
Javascript- Libraries and Frameworks
There’s nothing magical about a library or top javascript framework. Both are reusable codes written by someone to solve a common problem in an easier way.
Library : A library is like Ikea. You have a home, but you need the help of Ikea for furniture. Obviously, you don’t want to build a table for your home from scratch. Here Ikea will help you choose different furniture for your home from their inventory where hundreds of furniture are available. All you need to do is pick one, and you’re done.
Framework : A framework, on the other hand, is like a builder who is building a model home for you. They have the final blueprint, which means you have fewer options to choose from when it comes to design and architecture. Your inputs will be welcomed, but the builder will ultimately proceed as per the blueprint. So, they are in control here, not you which is not in the case of libraries.
MEAN Stack
It’s a free and open-source JavaScript toolkit for developing dynamic web applications. Here are the components you will find in the toolkit of MEAN:
MongoDB: A NoSQL Database
Express.js: A Web Application Database
Angular.js: A Front-end Framework
Node.js: A Server Platform
With MEAN stack, JavaScript can run on all the levels of the application, which in return enables you to develop the application from scratch with the help of a single programming language.
JavaScript frameworks and libraries have ready-to-use codes that help the developers to perform required functions quickly. The frameworks have their own ecosystem, which allows developers to build the whole product seamlessly.
There are many JS frameworks and libraries.The most popular one are as follows:
Front-end Frameworks
Ember.js is a javascript frameworks for all types of applications, including web, desktop, and single-page apps. FYI, Apple Music is built on it. So, a developer can leverage the model-view-view-model pattern of Ember.js and create a development environment.
Its command-line interface will provide you tools for script automation too. It has modules like Ember Data and Ember Inspector that enhance the development process.
Angular.js is powered by Google and is a very popular front-end framework because of its compatibility with most of the code editors. It is mostly used for the development of progressive, single-page, and dynamic web applications.
Angular’s main benefit is that you can easily convert HTML-based content into dynamic content.
Vue.js is also an open-source framework that is mostly used for the single-page web application. It leverages a component-based development model that allows you to add different components to a project.
To leverage its power, a user needs to have an understanding of CSS and HTML. It has many patterns and templates to use in development. The syntax of Vue.js is HTML-based, and the document size is also small which gives it an edge over other front-end frameworks.
Backend Frameworks
Nodejs
Node.js is considered as the most popular choice when it comes to back-end development. It gives you a runtime environment that can be integrated with other front-end frameworks. If you are developing a social network or blog, then Node.js is your best bet because it responds to events and supports non-blocking I/O model that makes it efficient and lightweight.
Meteor.js
Meteor.js integrates well with React and Angular front-end frameworks and can easily be connected with Node.js too. It is best known for build automation and integration. It also allows for developing hybrid applications with Cordova. Meteor.js is excellent for building MVPs and fast prototyping.
The Most Popular Libraries
jquery
jQuery is a library developed to focus on handling all the HTML documents with the help of a simple API that allows developers to create animation and manage events in browsers. jQuery also has a plugin development function and also used to manipulate DOM.
You can leverage its jQuery UI for graphic interface building and jQuery Mobile for the mobile framework. It is a light-weight and cross-browser JS library.
React_JS
React is an open-source library for developing dynamic interfaces and was created by Facebook in 2011. You can leverage this robust JS library if you’re looking to build web apps with multiple dynamic elements. React consists of React Native, which is a different cross-platform framework for mobile development, which we will discuss below in our separate section of frameworks for mobile app development.
Apart from JavaScript, React is also based on JSX, a PHP extension by Facebook which creates reusable HTML elements that comes in very handy in front-end development.
d3js
D3.js is a JS library that is data-driven and focused on data visualization. It allows you to manipulate data-oriented documents by tying arbitrary data to DOM (Document Object Model) and implementing data-driven transformations to the document.
The D3.js library supports all the large datasets and dynamic behaviors for animation and interaction. The functional style of D3.js allows you to reuse codes like all other libraries and operates with HTML and CSV.
Mobile App Development Frameworks
React Native is the most widely used framework for Mobile App Development. With this framework, you can develop native apps on macOS, Linux, or Windows. React Native supports Android 4.1+ and iOS 9.0+. Native APIs are utilized for rendering components on mobile. It doesn’t use CSS and HTML; however, it has special APIs for CSS-based elements.
Ionic-app-development
Ionic is also a front-end framework that facilitates a developer to develop native and progressive web and mobile applications. It also voraciously used for the development of HTML5-based hybrid mobile apps. It is highly compatible with Angular.js.
Meteor
Meteor is a JS framework which is very popular when it comes to developing applications for web, iOS, or Android platform. Compact code and compatibility with MEAN stack and other JavaScript tools make Meteor a popular choice after React Native and Ionic. It also allows for developing UI.
Conclusion
The JS ecosystem moves fast, so keep an eye on this list as it’s updated. Another framework or library could come out of nowhere, and suddenly everyone will be using it and tossing aside their old tools. Alternately, some of the best features of these tools and frameworks may be assimilated into JavaScript itself.
