7 Popular JavaScript Frameworks End Developer Should Know

JavaScript is still the most popular programming language for creating web apps. Also, it is the preferable choice among front end developers. But the language and its framework are continuously evolving. (Image source: CodedThemes)

If you’re a JavaScript loyal, switching to other frameworks would be hard for you. Yes, I hear you. For me leaving my old provider and switching to Spectrum Internet-only plan was hard too. But once I experienced fast speed and reliable connection, I was happy. So don’t stick to one framework only, try others too. Before you start your front end development project, consider these highly used JavaScript frameworks:

1: React

It’s a definite leader in the industry. React encourages you to follow a reactive approach. It has introduced a number of unique concepts for front-end web development. To use this framework, you must master processes such as component-based architecture, uni-directional data flow, and JSX.

To reach high flexibility, Reach developed a number of tools. The management libraries for React are far from exhaustive. Using React, you can work with jQuery, fetch, Axios, AJAX and more. With React, you have the liberty of designing your own workflow.

2: Angular 2

When Angular 2+ was introduced, it made history in the Angular framework. It’s almost like Angular 1 is nonexistent. Its new version consists of a component-based architecture. It’s highly modular. We all know you can insert a link to the AngularJS library form the main HTML file but now, you can even install separate modules as well.

Building an app in Angular requires breaking it into multiple components, mostly 3 files. The business logic is written in the main file and the styles and layouts are written in other files. It is a complete JavaScript framework that comes with all the modern tools a front-end developer would need. If you don’t like to work with so many libraries offered by React, switch to Angular 2.

3: Vue

Vue is among those frameworks whose concept was taken from Angular and React. However, it’s better than both of them in many ways. It was downloaded 40 million times in 2019. It only had 4 vulnerabilities and they are fixed now.

Vue stores component logic and layouts in a single file along with style sheets. It works the same ways React does. It uses state objects and props to make the components communicate. Also, It uses a combination of HTML layouts with JavaScript. preferred to React because of its library. It is used for creating the largest scale apps. Looking for reasons to choose Vue? It is not complicated like Angular. Plus, it is less restrictive. If you are planning to stick to Vue, the good news is you don’t have to learn JavaScript.

4: Ember

Ember is similar to Angular JS and Backbone. It is the oldest JS framework. When the 3.13 version was introduced, the performance of the framework was improved and bugs were fixed as well.

An admirable quality of Ember is its intricate architecture. You can easily build huge client-side apps with this framework. Its architecture contains components, helpers, adapters, controllers, routes, services, templates and more.

Its command-line interface tool is very commendable. It makes developers more productive. It allows them to create new projects with a ready step up and create components controllers and project files.

5: Backbone.js

It is based on the MVC architecture that lets you implement component logic. It utilizes engines such as Underscore.js and Mustache. Its library consists of collections, router, views, models, and events.

Backbone is quite simple to use. It lets you quickly develop single-page apps. Tools like Handlebars, Chaplin, and Mustache allow developers to fully use this framework. If you want to design an app with different users, use the backbone for separating the models.

It supports REST API for synchronizing the front and back-end. That’s why both front-end and back-end developers like this framework.

6: Mithril.js

It is a modern framework that works very well for creating single-page apps. Vimeo, Fitbit and Nike apps are developed in Mithril. It only weighs 8KB which is why its APIs are highly lightweight. The apps built-in this framework load faster than ever.

It is written in JavaScript and it’s very easy to learn. However, it is only good for creating small apps. If you want to use Mithril for working on large projects, you are going to have to use third-party APIs. This could make the process of development even more complex.

7: Svelte

It’s similar to Vue and Reacts. It was introduced by the end of 2019 but gained popularity very fast. It is a component-based framework. You can build a UI by reusable components. That means you won’t have to spend hours and hours writing code. This will reduce development time as well.

The framework is very easy to learn and building applications with it is not complicated either. It is very fast and its performance is excellent. It lets you build apps in a small size.

Feel free to use any of these frameworks to start your project. There’s a wide range of support available in the form of forums and online communities. It’s just as extensive as Spectrum customers support so don’t hold yourself back. Be experimental and creative!