What are JavaScript frameworks?
It is always easier to find shortcuts and jump right to a solution. However, we should value the importance of basics before diving deep. This is how good coders become successful developers by simply starting from basics. Without further ado, the basis of this article is to be aware of frameworks. What are they really? JavaScript frameworks are set of useful features, most commonly written for a specific programming language. Frameworks are efficient tools if the user is wise enough to implement them to its fullest abilities and the underlying language. Mainly, frameworks help developers get their hands on the minimal functionality of their application without being forced to write tones of codes.
To add up, you also need to know the difference between libraries and frameworks. The easiest way to think about it is that libraries have a very narrow objective, and they tend to solve a problem or a set of strongly connected ones. On the other hand, a framework is the abstraction of the language. It includes a rather complicated part of the logic. Frameworks tend to solve bigger problems rather than concentrating on solutions to relatively smaller problems. It is a very powerful tool for developing a whole application, not only a small set of problems. For instance, Express.js makes it easier to handle the overall logic of Back End applications, including API endpoints, middlewares, etc. Should you need to develop without any third-party frameworks, you might as well implement streams in order to process request bodies and headers. To avoid the headache, Express.js gives us a very developer-friendly abstraction to work with.
Now, that we have a better understanding of frameworks, let’s get to it.
Express.js
Express.js is a Node.js framework. If you are not familiar with Node.js at all, you can read about that here.
Most developers love express because it simplifies the way the request bodies are received and sent. More precisely, it does that without bothering you at all. In very simple terms, it receives all the requests for you, parses them in a way that is most appropriate for usage, and passes them to Node.js, letting you manipulate the given data, and send back a response, which is again, is taken care of entirely by Express.js. In addition, the one thing that I like personally is its unique way of implementing middleware functions. It is as simple as writing code in the same order that you want to execute the code. There are more points worthy of mentioning. However, the most important one is the tools. Tools allow you to work with the framework and add to its stack of features.
Vue.js
Vue.js is a framework designed for front-end developers. Like React.js, about which we will talk very soon, Vue is also implementing the virtual DOM, and as a result, letting your application update DOM components only when necessary. By adopting this logic, your application is way more, and I would even say, aggressively faster compared to the traditional HTML/CSS approach. It lets you render your application in a specific logic, and make no mistake; you are the only creator of that logic. It also has lots of libraries fulfilling its advantages.
React.js
React is a JavaScript library for front-end development created by Facebook. React lets you create your pages step by step, meaning it lets you divide your logic into layers called components and pass them throughout the whole page, while having the ability to manipulate the data being displayed to users at any time given moment. It implements two main properties, props and states, that let you update the content of any component whenever you please. Besides these, as I mentioned above, React.js is also taking advantage of virtual DOM.
Next.js
Next.js is an excellent tool for skyrocketing your development process. It lets you use React.js on the front-end side. Next.js is a must for your production stage. It allows you to use server-side rendering along with the beauty of React. Next.js comes with a built-in tool for maintaining your application’s packages. It reads all your code and saves that in reusable packages for further usage. Due to that, you do not need to worry about the reusability of your code, though, no need to mention; this is not the same as following coding conventions and patterns.
A friendly advice about JavaScript frameworks
Before deciding which one to use for your next project, make sure you study all of the options carefully(click here to learn more about JavaScript). Even before that, be sure to understand basic programming conventions and, of course, make your language your comfort zone.