Choosing The Right Javascript: AngularJS vs React vs Ember

To boost your ability for delivering ambitious and competitive web apps, choosing the right JavaScript framework which best suit your project’s needs becomes quintessential. Though there exist many libraries which are been around like Backbone and Knockout, but gradually their popularity is decreasing. Big three web frameworks Ember, AngularJS, and React, are been discussed here. There are many client side frameworks. Also, new entrants like Aurelia are also in the queue. AngularJS, Ember and React must definitely be your choice if you are bent for creating web apps as these are the safest players that offer active communities and long-term support.

The web development scenario is changing rapidly and almost every month the new JS framework is being introduced. Let’s understand the benefits of each framework and difference between them so that we can use the apt framework according to the requirements.

A- Angular 2.0

AngularJS is a comprehensive, open-source JavaScript framework that solves the problem of the single page application development by extending the functionality of HTML. AngularJS puts emphasis on getting your application up and runs quickly. Angular 2 doesn’t require TypeScript hence AngularJS core team certainly embraces it and defaults to using TypeScript in documentation. This validates that open source projects are likely to feel familiar and consistent. Angular 2 also focuses on simple modular code and test-driven development. JavaScript objects for models makes AngularJS syntactic simple.

AngularJS framework is considered currently as the most popular among three and for all good reasons. It was the first released and represented a large improvement over the previous generation of client-side MVC frameworks. AngularJS took a pragmatic approach that resonated with its adopters. Angular 2.0 framework is free from unnecessary complexity. From the perspective of performance, native app support and server-side rendering the Angular 2.0 has gain brownie points. Let’s have a quick look on merits of Angular 2.0.

A1: Strengths

1. Performance of Angular 2.0 is three to five times faster as compared to the previous version.
2. Offers server-side rendering which speeds up initial page load time and therefore improves SEO by making dynamic pages easy to crawl. Fast page rendering greatly improvises the feel of next generation of web applications written in the AngularJS framework.
3. Easy-to-test code.
4. It is the most popular framework.
5. Easy creation of personalized Document Object Model (DOM) elements.
6. Clean and precise UI design and alteration.
7. Dependency injection.
8. Simple routing.
9. The Angular framework facilitates extension of HTML syntax and easily creates reusable components by directives.
10. Data modeling is limited for the use of small data models which makes the code simple and easy to test.

A2: Demerits Attached

1. Complicated directive API.
2. AngularJS goes slow with pages with many interactive pages.
3. There lies performance issue because of DOM elements.
4. Hard to debug scopes but they are very easy to use.
5. The router is limited.

A3: Who Should Use AngularJS?

AngularJS was and will remain as the most popular client-side framework. This makes it a safe and great choice for anyone starting a new project. Angular 2.0 is written in TypeScript, which is a programming language from Microsoft which adds type checking and other enhancements to JavaScript. Survey says that poll happened in the community of the largest group of developers said they too would be using Typescript. Some exclusive features of the framework, therefore, makes AngularJS the framework suitable for large enterprises.

B- Ember 2.0

Ember is a framework which is driven by two legendary software engineers in the industry, Yehuda Katz and Tom Dale. Ember has positioned itself as a framework for ambitious projects but unfortunately it is not built for mega corporations. Ember framework combines proven concepts from native frameworks like Apple’s Cocoa with the lightweight sensibilities of open-source frameworks like Ruby on Rails and Backbone.js. This helps in creating an open-source JavaScript framework which can scale with an entrepreneurs’ increasing ambitions. Ember framework is a full-featured framework which specializes in making dynamically rendered single page applications. Ember emphasizes scalability. And it enforces strict rules on how to write your code smartly which ensures that your application avoids bottlenecks and ready for growth.

B1: Benefits

1. Ember JS holds strong data layer which integrates well with Java.
2. Ember’s object model facilitates key-value observation.
3. Ember minimizes DOM.
4. It supports URL.
5. Ember uses observers to change values which result in rendering the values being changed.
6. Ember offers faster boot time and inherent stability.
7. It focuses on performance.
8. Ember offers friendly docs and API.

B2: Screaming Demerits

1. With Ember.js you will get a lot of outdated content which no longer work.
2. While working in Ember.js you can lack reuse of components at Controller level.
3. It is clumsy when we go outside its typical use.
4. The most inflexible and heaviest of frameworks.
5. The testing process seems incomplete.
6. Overwritten for small projects.

B3: Who Should Use Ember

For writing web apps, Ember framework is a great choice. Many aspiring apps are built using Ember framework. If you are a Ruby shop, Ember is a great choice. Ember is also a great solution for people who buy into the all-tools-included framework approach. Ember makes quite a lot of decisions for you offering surprising values. Those who want everything to just work well will love Ember.

C- ReactJS

ReactJS is an open-source JavaScript library which renders UI components very well. It is used for building performant user interfaces with a focus on amazing performance, powered and introduced by Facebook. ReactJS solves the common problem of the efficient rendering of large data sets which exists with other JavaScript framework.

Facebook was facing the problems of consistent user interface. They created React to solve the problems of keeping their UI consistent across the page. Facebook made its release of React framework which offered the incredible advantage of awesome performance and server side rendering. React framework continues making large improvements in the domain of frameworks. The most prominent are React Native.

C1: Benefits

1. With very little dependencies the components can be easily imported.
2. Quiet simplified interface design and easy to learn API.
3. The server-side rendering allows the creation of universal web apps.
4. ReactJS is too good for JavaScript debugging.
5. Good code reuse.
6. For improving the performance of troublesome components, React framework supports a lot.
7. React framework is a fully component based architecture.
8. Easy interface design and learning API.

C2: Demerits

1. It is not a complete framework but it is a library.
2. Many people have strong disapproval for JSX.
3. Steep learning curve.
4. Integrating ReactJS with conventional MVC framework such as Rails will require some configurations.

C3: Who Should Consider ReactJS?

For new and existing projects, ReactJS is a great choice. If you have modernized an existing code base, ReactJS simplifies the process by pulling out pieces of the user interface and then redoing the same. If you believe in simple libraries more than you believe in complete frameworks, then ReactJS can be your choice. ReactJS minimizes the challenges on part of web apps.

Angular vs. Ember vs. React Debate. Google Developer Expert vs. Experienced CTO's > https://t.co/M5SX4GURu8 #Angular #reactjs #emberjs

— Angular News (@AngularJS_News) January 13, 2017

D- Who Wins?

To determine which framework is right for you depends on evaluating your application’s needs versus the merits of each framework. It definitely requires in-depth knowledge of merits and drawbacks of each framework and how they can be considered under different use cases. If you are looking for a long term support and active communities for creation of a web app AngularJS, React, and Ember are a safe bet. As we can easily infer that there is no specific winner and all frameworks fit in according to the requirements. Gauge your project based on various parameters like dependencies, features, interoperability, maturity and size and then consider the suitable framework.

Blog References: freecodecamp, blog.backand, forums.meteor, business2community, smashingboxes, blog.softelegance

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Rachit Agarwal

Director and Co-Founder at Algoworks Technologies

Rachit is leading the mobility business development function, mobility strategy and consulting practice at Algoworks. He is an expert of all mobile technologies and has experience in managing teams involved in the development of custom iPhone/iPad/Android apps.