How do Frontend Frameworks Work? (Let’s find out)

To properly dive into this, you need to first understand what the web application is and how the browser interprets information.. 

To put it simply, a web application is a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

The HTLM and CSS are responsible for rendering the application, the look and feel of the display components of the web application.

After which Javascript is used to add functionalities to the webpages.

It is the standard from the W3C consortium. Browsers can only run and interpret JavaScript. 

We can build simple projects and basic landing pages with just HTML, CSS and Javascript.

But what to do when there are complex requirements? 

For instance, complex routing, complicated UI, or micro front ends. 

This is where front-end frameworks come. 

Frontend frameworks are Javascript frameworks and packages having pre-written, standardized code in folders and files. They offer you a base to develop on while still enabling flexibility with the concluding design.

Every front-end framework, whether it’s Vue.JS or React.JS or Angular.JS  are all written in Javascript. 

These awesome front-end frameworks are commonly delivered via CDN or NPM Packages.

Deciding on the Front-end framework to use

There are tons of front-end frameworks in the market.

 With so many options developers tend to get confused as to which framework to pick. 

Below I am going to list two factors that you can consider when choosing a new framework.

Keep in mind that technology is ever-changing. And each day a framework or upgrade to an existing one is released.

Having definite reasons when picking a framework can really help in the overall software development life cycle.

1. Knowing what you are going to build

You don’t start using a framework out of the blues. When opting in for a new framework, the first thing to look out for is the requirements of your new product.

If it is not complex and can be done using plain javascript, then no need to complicate the overall development process.

Frameworks today are advanced, and one framework can satisfy all your requirements as well. Hence pick that one suiting best for your needs.

2. Technical Skills

Another factor to ponder upon is to know the skills of your development team and the learning curve of the framework.

For instance, if your team is well acquainted with Vue JS, then it is better to stick with Vue JS unless some overly critical requirement is there which cannot be fulfilled with Vue JS.

So, it is necessary to know where the expertise of the whole team is.

If there’s a need to go beyond the team’s comfort zone and use a different framework, make sure your project deadlines are not affected and there is an extraordinarily strong reason for your decisions.

3. Community Presence

When you pick a framework make sure that it’s constantly updated and have active community to answer your questions along the way.

There will always be times when you get into trouble. A framework having a vibrant community to answer your questions on StackOverflow or GitHub can save you tons of time.

Furthermore, ensure that your framework receives critical updates against security vulnerabilities.

Here’s a detailed comparison between the 3 major front-end frameworks: Angular vs Vue vs React.

Top 4 Frontend Frameworks

1. React JS

React JS is one of the most popular front-end framework for building component-based web applications.

Initially React JS was introduced as a framework for building UI components, React JS today has taken over not just web applications but mobile applications as well.

Pros

• The power of the React JS applications comes from its concept of virtual DOM. It doesn’t just manipulate the DOM directly, it creates a DOM tree of its own.
• Very fast when loaded.
• Another important aspect of React JS is its reusability as UI components.

Cons

• React JS uses JSX syntax for Javascript.
• This syntax appears complex when compared with plain Javascript.
• Developers, especially beginners might find it intimidating to understand and work with it.

2. Angular

Angular is a popular framework backed by Google. It was initially created to build Single Page Applications using the MVC pattern.

Currently, Angular is a full-fledged tool for building modern web applications.

Pros

• Supports two-way data binding meaning that a change in code or a change in UI is delivered instantaneously.
• Angular has a very active community, very helpful in resolving issues.

Cons

• As a result of two-way data binding, Angular apps tend to slow down occasionally. Here developers are challenged to optimize the code.

3. Vue JS

Vue JS is another framework designed to build MVVM applications as well as Single Page Applications. Also used to build desktop applications.

Pros

• Vue JS boasts of being very simple and lightweight hence creating speed-lightening applications.
• Uses directives from HTML hence reducing the learning curve.

Cons

• Don’t have much of a robust community hence developers might be intimidated by the scarcity of resources online.

4. Ember JS

Ember JS is another very popular framework for building applications with MVVM architecture. It has a basic focus in UI design.

Pros

• Ember JS comes with all the features you need so you use it directly out-of-the-box.
• Produces lesser code than other frameworks.
• A good choice when the final app needs to have a comprehensive UI.

Cons

• Not suitable for much smaller apps.

Conclusion: Adopt the Frameworks

Through this article, we have identified how frontend framework works. 

The browsers can only understand Javascript but building complex projects requires the use of Javascript framework.

Frontend framework also offers better scalability and maintainability for feature-rich products than plain Javascript.

The choice of framework to use depends on certain factors as listed above.

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Happy Coding!