Six reasons why you need to try Angular

Don’t miss out on this amazing framework

Amazingly, not everyone has switched over to Angular. In this article, Kevin Gardner explains six reasons why this popular framework is not to be missed.

by Kevin Gardner

If you have not tried Angular yet, you really don’t know what you are missing out on. This framework is arguably the only framework that makes the model-view-controller (MVC) [1] components look good and in its right place. Most frameworks available today are nothing but a bundling of tools, some of which do not integrate well together. You can use Angular to solve this problem because it has been built so that each tool works with the other tools in a seamless and interconnected way.

The popularity of Angular can best be understood by looking at the sheer number of websites that utilize the framework. Some notable companies that use the framework include ABC News, NBC, and Intel. This popularity can be attributed to the fact that the framework is convenient, fast, scalable, affordable, and enhances performance. Here are the top six reasons why we believe that you as a developer should choose Angular as the preferred framework for your projects.

Handles MVC well

If you are using any of the other available frameworks, chances are that you will be required to split your app into MVC components and then write a code to string these components together. In our view, that is a lot of work which can be avoided. Angular implements MVC by requesting you to slit your app into MVC components and then it takes it from there. If you’re using Angular, you will not be required to write code to connect the various MVC components.

A strong community

As a developer, you know by now just how important it is to be part of a community. Angular is a very popular framework. This means that there are many developers using this framework with a well-developed community. You can join forums online or attend conferences and seminars that are organized by developers for developers if you want to gain and share knowledge. Moreover, there are books and online resources dedicated to educating developers on the use of this framework. As a part of this community, you will be able to stay ahead of the trend and possibly even connect with clients who frequent these places and events in search of developers.

It has a declarative user interface

Angular uses hypertext mark-up language (HTML) [2] to define the user interface for the app. Since HTML is a declarative language, it is considered to be more intuitive than using JavaScript to procedurally define the interface. Moreover, an interface written in HTML is less brittle to reorganize compared to one that is written in JavaScript. This means that you can collaborate with other UI developers with ease without worrying that the interface can break. HTML will enable you to define what you want done and Angular will take care of all the dependencies.

The data models used are POJO

Angular uses plain old JavaScript objects (POJO) meaning that it will not require extraneous setter and getter functions. You can easily add and change properties directly into the framework and loop over arrays and objects at will. Your code will be more intuitive and much cleaner, just the way Mother Nature intended.

The traditional data models are famously known to be the gatekeepers of data. They are tasked with assuring server syncing and data persistence. Conversely, in Angular, the data models (scopes) are plain objects that work like a cork board. The cork board is a temporary storage area where you can put and retrieve data. Angular watches out for changes in the scopes and updates the stored data automatically.

Backed by Google

Angular enjoys a strong support from the world’s leading search engine, Google. This means that, as a developer, you will be relieved to know that you are using a framework whose end product will not be rejected by Google. Unlike most of the other JavaScript app frameworks [3] which are usually created by independent hobbyists, Angular was purposefully created by two talented Google engineers. This is perhaps one good reason why most developers prefer using Angular over other JavaScript frameworks.

Directives control

Since HTML defines Angular’s pattern language, as a developer you can use directives to multiply the code information and come up with custom attributes that are absent in HTML. Directives are important because they focus on logic and, as a result, they can contribute in increasing your output.

Parting shot

If you wish to speed up your development process, look no further. Use Angular today and you will reap all the benefits stated above and much more.

Discover the Angular track of iJS!

React: Seven reasons why you need to make the switch

It’s simple, really

Judging by the success of Facebook and Instagram, using React is a solid foundation for success. In this article, Vlad Pshenychka goes over the top reasons why you should choose React for your next project.

by Vlad Pshenychka

What is React? To be honest, it is one of the most recently created open source code libraries, manufactured for JavaScript programmers. It is focused on the most comfortable and easy ways to develop an app or a web page. The open code library was created thanks to the cooperation of Facebook, Instagram, and a strong community of users. Facebook found it necessary to contribute to the world of Java coding, resulting in the React JavaScript library.

In this article, I would like to explain why you should adopt React and how it is going to help you build your web resources. Obviously, this isn’t the absolute top list, but in my opinion, it has some of the most valuable reasons why you should give React a try.

Simplicity of usage

One of the first things we need to mention about React is the complexity level. When compared to Angular – if we really need to do that –, it is much simpler. First of all, React was created to simplify the process of programming, development, and managing of resources. For sure, React is not for beginners, but even highly educated experts sometimes need a refresher. So, if you want to succeed with your app or web page, you should limit yourself to the proper-level knowledge of JSX as well as HTML, i.e. a declarative and strict coding style.

Developmental flexibility

While taking for granted that React was a new step forward in web development, some may think that the developmental and maintenance process were also upgraded automatically. The main role in that process was played by the side-libraries, which give you several special opportunities. For instance, as a developer, you are now able to overcome several restrictions and prohibitions within a coding process while choosing the most comfortable and compromising ways of dealing with certain issues, upcoming problems and strategies of ruling your front-end project.

Virtual DOM

The usage of Virtual DOM is another important innovation. Thanks to that extension, you are able to create an in-memory data structure cache and enumerate resolution differences. As a result, you can update the browser’s displayed DOM efficiently.

Advanced app performance

The development of React helped reduce the problem of falling behind other applications developed on the same platforms. React automatically updates one page applications that often do not require reloads for the UI redraws. In other words, it no longer matters if you have an old mobile device, tablet, smartphone. You will not face any problem while trying to upload a large and graphics-heavy webpage that does not fully match your device’s capabilities.

SEO friendliness

To be honest, one of the most vital problems of JavaScript frameworks is that they usually do not fit well with search engines. As a consequence, this mismatch has negative implications for your webpage or application with a lower search engine ranking. However, React is ready to help solve such a problem. It gives you an opportunity to run your app on a server, while the already highlighted Virtual DOM would be able to render and return to the browser as a regular web page. So, there is no need for PhantomJS.

Also discover the React track of iJS!

Easier way to create a design interface

The development of React JS gave users the opportunity to manipulate the key interface flows, designing features in an easier and faster way. It gives us the opportunity to develop an interface fully according to our tastes, desires, and principles. These operations are now possible thanks to several innovations, namely Nest view and Loop.

• Nest view. This expansion allows developers to control the nested elements within React in a pretty easy way. It is now possible through the work with classes and creation of a direct reference from the children class to the parent class.
• Loop. Developers can use loops to create the rendering views in React framework. While Loop is available in both React and in Angular, it is much easier to use in the former. Now, developers are able to create loops within their front-end over a large number of HTML elements. After that, developers can just stack them all into a big array. That offers a much more elementary technique for the operation within building an app.

Alternatives

You can kill two birds with one stone by using the React open source code library as an alternative to other libraries, which you already have within the coding process of your web resource. For instance, there are such additions to JavaScript as Angular, Backbone, and jQuery.

All of the functions available within these libraries are now available within the React extensions. Furthermore, they are enlarged with a highly variated spectrum of other functions, additions, simplifications, and useful changes, which have been implemented in React.

Conclusion about React

All in all, the React JavaScript library is a revolutionary step in the software industry. Judging by the success of Facebook and Instagram, using React is a solid foundation for success. I hope these reasons have convinced you to use React for your next project.