What is MEAN Stack?
Simply defined, MEAN Stack is an end-to-end script based on Java Tech. It is used in the development of web applications. MEAN and MERN stacks are the current competitors because both of them come with their unique features; where MEAN Stack is a popular choice of small and medium enterprises because it is cost-effective, and works with AngularJS framework; MERN stack is not devoid of its popular offerings like its empowerment of JS and JSON, and use of React JS against MEAN Stack’s AngularJS. However, the future consists of surprises and with JAM Stack’s advent, a lot of comparison and curation is required by full-stack developers, who work with MEAN Stack a lot. Web development is estimated to grow at the rate of 24% by 2025, according to a report by Codingdojo.com, which will also keep full stack developers in demand, and MEAN Stack in turn is the most popular framework they work with. Let’s look at what MEAN Stack has which makes it so useful in current times:
The ‘MEAN’ in MEAN Stack is an acronym for the frameworks it consists of, which are as follows;
- Mongo DB: MongoDB is an open-source, cross-platform document database. The code used is C++ and the data within is huge and unstructured. It is used for ease in evolution and scalability, by those who are building for the internet and who create business apps.
- Express JS: Express JS as a framework, is used for web applications as well as for Node.js. It helps the smooth building of websites in building single and multi-page and hybrid web applications. The PUG template engine gives it support.
- Angular JS: With the use of HTML as the template language, AngularJS helps developers in building dynamic web apps. It is maintained by Google. Angular’s dependency injection and data binding help in the removal of the requirement of excess code, which needs to be written by programmers.
- Node JS: It helps in creating web servers and apps. This java-based execution environment uses a non-blocking and event-driven I/O Model, it helps in the creation of real-time apps across different devices. Node.js is enabled to run on Linux as well as Windows OS.
So, here’s an unfolding of the ‘MEAN’ Stack for you, but what makes it so popular? Here’s what-
Advantages of Mean Stack
1) Create Open-Source Solutions with Ease
Devil box, Node.js, Friend.ly are some of the Open Source Projects developed by MEAN Stack. This open-source and free JavaScript software enables users to create a simple solution and bring dynamism to their projects with collaboration.
2) Develop Apps on Rapid Base
The open-source feature lets developers organize and create rapid prototypes for web apps.
3) It is Full; It is Free
MEAN Stack is well-known and we’ll utilize as a full-stack framework and can be used to make a full-stack app. Not only this, but it’s also 100% free.
4) One Language Through and through
This works like a charm for developers because MEAN Stack is entirely based on Javascript and apps based on MEAN Stack are written in one language for both server client-side of the execution environments.
5) Flexible and Isomorphic Coding
MEAN Stack is highly flexible and is isomorphic in nature, which renders pages on both the server and client sides respectively.
Disadvantages of Mean Stack
1) Not for Large-Scale Apps
Even though you can manage a large amount of data with MongoDB. It cannot be used for each app but it’s better for cloud-based ones but that is also not on a large scale.
2) Difficulty in Reversion to Old Approaches
This may elicit varied reactions from users and developers but, once you have developed your first website using the MEAN stack, it gets difficult to move back to old approaches.
3) Not Secure?
Google provides its framework but it is still not secure enough when looked at from the data security point of view. It requires experienced professionals to manage it, because of its popularity, hackers vie for a chance to attack.
4) Poor Isolation from Server
The Express Js framework offers poor isolation of the server by preventing the usage of services like the batch operation function. It doesn’t fit well with the logic of business management.
5) Easy to Lose Records
Yes, MongoDB is efficient. However, when the load is high during network partitioning, records can get lost in the middle.
Is the Future ‘MEAN’?
No matter the disadvantages, they fall behind the use-case of MEAN Stack for developers. Scan the web, and you’ll find that the Best Web App Development Technology Stack is none other than the MEAN Stack, in 2021. It came to the forefront in 2013, by MongoDB developer Valeri Karpov, to this day it’s retained its prominence. HERE’S why:
- Cloud is its Place of Thriving: MEAN stack is great with cloud-based development processes. Its usage of public libraries makes the process seamless. MongoDB being cloud-based also empowers the process by analyzing the disk space rates. It works best for building enterprise applications, big-data apps, streaming apps, real-time apps, and business productivity apps.
- Cost-Effective to-date: MEAN Stack is open-source and has extensive code sharing function availability. It can be re-used within the stack because of JavaScript. What this does is that it lessens the amount of time spent on development, thereby reducing development costs.
- Nodejs For Back-End: Node.js is quite a popular tech framework because it’s faster and highly scalable. Also, it helps with the single-threaded non-blocking of I/O calls. It helps with processing methods for HTTP made by the users. This streamlines the process by reading client requests, processing them, and blocking IO operations as needed.
- JSON: the Power Key?: JSON or JavaScript Object Notation is so powerful because of its features like easy enabling of data transmission between the layers of the database. This time-saving method helps developers avoid the rewriting of code which takes a lot of time. You can also import data by using MySQL server codes and you can work with external APIs too.
Developers can build extensive applications with MEAN Stack integration Like single-page apps to more advanced ones. It gains trust because of how it renders smooth UI/UX designs. Its active community feature is very popular with users.
Even so, alternatives are available, like Mode Stack, Node.js, Django, Android SDK, and others but the well-known tech companies like Accenture, Fiverr, Sisense, UNIQLO, etc are running their Processes on MEAN Stack. Now, experts are debating whether JAM Stack will be the next best tech stack- which focuses on the client-browser environment, with Git workflows this new architecture is delivering a faster, secure, and scalable solution, but because it shadows over the backend, is not editing friendly and one has to rely heavily on 3rd-party providers; hence, it’s not being highlighted as a rival to MEAN Stack.
Watch out for our blog on Mean Stack Vs JAM Stack, till then you may like to read:
Why MEAN Stack To Build Enterprise Apps?
Most Popular Node.js Frameworks for App Developments.
Why use ExpressJS over NodeJS for Server-Side Development?
Looking for Mean Stack Developers online? Here’s your chance to work with one of the Best Mobile and Web App Development companies: do check this out.
This blog has been published with references from Hackernoon.com and Singlestore.com.
Rachit Agarwal
