7 Best JavaScript Frameworks of 2016
JavaScript is one of the most popular front-end languages and today, we will go through the best JavaScript Frameworks of 2016.
JavaScript or Java?
Whenever I write about JavaScript, I make sure to cover the difference or similarity between JavaScript and Java. Many beginners confuse JavaScript with Java, and they are not to be blamed for such confusions. The name “Java” in “JavaScript”, can easily confuse anyone.
So, why the name was chosen? The reason is completely market-oriented. At that time, Java was a popular programming language and to ride the popularity of Java, the team chosen the name, “JavaScript”.
Why use JavaScript Frameworks?
Using JavaScript frameworks can improve the rapid development of your web application. Creating a web application in pure JavaScript can be a great learning experience, but it not viable in the real-world scenario. To make use of the shorter and faster code, frameworks are used.
Rapid development, especially rapid prototyping is possible with the help of the JavaScript framework or library. For example, Angular.js is used to power single page web apps.
Most of the frameworks use MVC principle, but there are frameworks that use other principles such as MVP, MVVM, and others.
JavaScript Frameworks
1. Angular.js
Angular.js is the front-runner of the JavaScript frameworks, and is one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks out there.
Angular.js was released in 2009 by Google, and no one would have guessed that it will become so popular in the near future. Angular.js gives the power in the hands of the programmer and lets them build single page web apps.
The creation of single page web apps is aided by so-called directives. Directives help to add reusable code to the application and provides the necessary functionalities to add dynamic functionalities to the web application. DOM manipulation is easy, and you can easily add behavior and CSS to the HTML DOM elements.
2. Backbone.js
Backbone.js is minimalistic JavaScript frameworks that aim to provide the necessary backbone to a web application. The framework is open source in nature and is available under the MIT license.
Backbone.js is extremely popular framework can act as the base of a complex web project easily. It provides tools such as model building using key-value binding, tons of enumerable objects with usable API and much more.
With the core of the web application set, you can use other frameworks on top of it. The main feature of Backbone.js is its ability to be used in other big projects. The small size also helps the cause and brings the right mix of performance and functionality.
3. React.js
React.js is one of the most popular front-end JavaScript framework.
Why Front-end? Becuase it can easily used to create the UI part of your project. In simple words, it acts as the V in MVC. The magic is achieved by using a virtual DOM and it can also be rendered on the server side with the help of the node.js.
The front-end component can easily be made interactive with React.js and big companies such as Facebook and Instagram use it to their advantage.
With only 2 years of age, the framework is making news already and can be your UI framework for creating interactive and powerful web application.
4. Meteor.js
Meteor.js is the JavaScript framework that many JavaScript developers will vouch for. The framework is famous for one big reason and that is the ability to create full end-to-end web applications with it.
There is no need to use any other library or JavaScript framework and from its inception in 2012, it has gained a lot of popularity and community.
The community continuously improves the framework by contributing to the core of the application. Another reason for its success is its modular design, which enables developers and contributors to tickle through different sections of the framework.
The framework can be used to create real-time web applications with emphasis to almost all the phases of development including backend, frontend, database and business logic.
5. Ember.js
Ember.js is yet another popular JavaScript framework. It is mainly used to create complex web applications. It uses the MVC principle.
With 3 years of development, it uses two main mechanics to pull up things. The first being the two-way binding method that Angular.js uses. The two-way binding method makes sure that nothing goes out of sync. In short, if there is a change in the view, then the equivalent change will be reflected in the model and vice-versa.
Another module that makes Ember.js irresistible is the fastboot.js module. The fastboot.js module works similar to react.js ability to render DOM on the server side. This way, complex UI can easily be rendered on the server side, and served to the client side for fast rendering.
These two major features really brings the power to the Ember.js applications. Scalability is less of an issue, and you can easily get the most out from the framework. It is also easy to learn and there are tons of learning material available online.
6. Polymer.js
Polymer.js is new and is released by Google in the year 2013. The framework offers web components — the ability to create them and extend the already existing HTML web components.
In 2015, they released a stable production ready 1.0. It is not as popular as other frameworks, but surely useful for many projects out there.
7. Aurelia.js
With only 5 months of age, Aurelia is the new kid on the blog. With a professional team backing up the project, the framework production version is already out.
The framework takes the hints from Angular 1 or 2 and uses them to create something power we have not seen. The architectural design is also modular and offers great control over the framework.
Surely, a framework to watch out in 2016.
Wrap Up
Today, we listed the 7 Best JavaScript frameworks. These frameworks offer both functionality and agility. Each of the frameworks has their own place in the industry and it depends on the project requirements. There is a lot of add to each of these frameworks, but I will cut it short and let you decide for yourself the framework best for your project.
Do you think, I missed something? Comment below and let us know!