JavaScript is constantly changing, and 2018 has been no different. Although certain aspects of the JavaScript community remain constant, such as the open-source run-time environment of Node.js, numerous frameworks frequently enter the scene. With dozens of frameworks to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best platform for your project. Looking at the most popular JavaScript frameworks can help you figure out what framework may be best for your application, project, or development team.
Here are some of the most popular JavaScript frameworks of 2018.
React.js
React, which is developed and maintained by Facebook, has been a major influencer for most popular JavaScript frameworks used today. Given its origins and massive community, it has a stability not seen in many of the newer frameworks on the market. As React was created with two-way data binding in mind, it reduces the need to execute frequent DOM operations. Not only can React Native provide a smooth mobile experience alongside your React application for the web, but the use of JSX may help your project to be more SEO-friendly than other JavaScript frameworks.
A possible, although seemingly minor, concern is Facebook’s ability to eventually stop updates or to change the licensing. However, this has not stopped React from turning into one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks of the year.
Unlike Angular (see below), React is still the most popular JavaScript framework, with the most downloads across the three years that data has been tracked. Not only that, React just keeps getting better with age and it promises to be at its current best in 2019.
Ember.js
Known as a framework for “ambitious” developers, Ember is known for its transparency, flexibility, and ability to create complex client-side applications. For developers who are willing to abide by the platform’s rigid best practices, its simplicity and flow of functionality make it easy to get an application up and running quickly. The “ember-cli” command line tool package adds several useful tools to assist developers. The Ember Inspector allows for easy inspection of Ember objects in the browser while developing and debugging problems.
Angular 2
Angular 2, which is developed and maintained by Google, is currently the most popular JavaScript framework on the market. It is often used to develop front-end applications that are large, feature-filled platforms with immense data needs. Unlike React, Angular 2 uses one-way data binding to facilitate DOM operations, which helps developers increase the performance of single-page applications. With several years of development, a predecessor, and the power of Google behind it, this framework has a list of useful features (e.g., dependency injection, forms, templates) and will continue to improve with time.
Meteor.js
Unlike other JavaScript frameworks, Meteor is full-stack and can be used to develop both the front-end and back-end sections of a project. Both server-side and client-side coding, such as databases and UI, can be addressed with just one framework. It has numerous ready-to-use “smart packages” and also allows the generation of custom packages, providing value for both new developers and seasoned experts. Meteor has one of the most dedicated and engaged communities among the JavaScript frameworks, which comes in handy for support in popular forums and the development and maintenance of packages for public use.
Aurelia.js
Aurelia is a modern framework that is designed to be practical. As it’s composed of smaller modules, developers can either work with the entire framework or choose separate sections. Aurelia also supports ES5, ES 2015, ES 2016 and TypeScript, giving it the flexibility to be used alongside various JavaScript development situations.
Mithril.js
Mithril is one of the leaner frameworks on our list, designed to get a project developed and running with ease. With a compressed library size of 7.8 kb and straightforward documentation, Mithril is a pragmatic choice for developers who want a program that can deal with much of the work that typical JavaScript frameworks handle without the fuss. Although lean, the framework is updated constantly.
Vue.js
Vue has a simpler learning curve when compared to the larger, more complex frameworks. Its small size makes it easy to incorporate into other languages or applications, and its documentation is accessible to both new developers and veterans. Vue also uses an HTML-based templating syntax, so components can be written quickly and simply.
Choosing the right JavaScript framework depends on a variety of factors, and the list of possible choices changes every year. At Santex, we have expertise in a variety of JavaScript frameworks, programs, and environments, such as React and Node. We provide this expertise as part of our custom web development services to create the optimal project for your company. We are strongly committed to providing top quality web development services, and we incorporate our values of integrity, collaboration, service, and leadership with our technical expertise to meet your specialized software needs.
