Introduction:
One of the digital, age-old questions, is about whether to pick ReactJS or Angular as the front end solution for your application. The simple answer is: Both!
But not at the same time.. obviously.
Each of these tools can be used for almost anything with regards to Front end web development, but sometimes the use case for one of them over the other might be stronger if we took a look at the requirements/needs of the project, the team’s capabilities and natural pro’s and cons of each tool.
In order to figure out why (and when) Full stack decides to use React or Angular, let’s first take a look at what these tools bring to the “Digital” table.
React:
React was created by Jordan Walke to speed up development in a small company (you might know as Facebook) by allowing developers to create features with minimal cascading updates. Or in the words of its creator, to “minimize the number of developers facing mutations that the developer is exposed to”.
According to their own definition : “React is a declarative, efficient, and flexible JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It lets you compose complex UIs from small and isolated pieces of code called “components”.”
It must be noted that React is in fact a library and not a complete framework. This is both the pro and con of React. It is seen as a ‘pro’, because it is able to scale with the of complexity of the solution. So, perhaps the solution only requires a face lift or a particular ‘widget’, react would be able to easily accomplish this with minimal boilerplate. The component can then even be added to another company’s package, for re-use in other solutions.
A great example of this is where Full Stack had a client that wanted calculators on a specific site. Each calculator would be living in isolation and not be dependent on functions or variables of the other calculators. The calculators did not require a router, API calls, or persistent state. Using React’s component driven approach, the calculators could be wrapped up and stored in a Full Stack package that could then be imported into future projects where required.
This allowed for:
- Quick start up with little lag on boilerplate set up
- Ability for reusable code on future projects
There were other occasions where React was requested by the client for enterprise level solutions. This is still not a problem for the library’s capabilities, with many plugin’s / additions to fill in any gaps that may exist.
React is still the most used front end library, and has a massive following. Notably NextJS built on React (and NodeJS) allows for :
- Routing
- Server Side Rendering || Pre-rending || Partial Rendering
- API Routing
- TypeScript Support
- Bundling
These allow for a complete enterprise solution. Now we are able to create a full scale solution with the different components pulled in where required (each able to live in isolation). We could even pull in our calculator from the other project!
Ultimately React is a very flexible option that gives the developer options. It provides a freedom and scalability that can sometime cause issues if not kept in check. But performance, reusability of code and an easier learning curve if well scaffolded and monitored.
Angular:
Angular is out of the box, open-sourced framework maintained by Google. It is generally used for Single Page Applications (SPA’s) and has also grown with things like Angular Universalto allow for things like Server Side Rendering (SSR). It is built using TypeScript and follows the Model View Controller (MVC) model.
“With Angular, you’re taking advantage of a platform that can scale from single-developer projects to enterprise-level applications. Angular is designed to make updating as straightforward as possible, so take advantage of the latest developments with minimal effort.”
Angular Provides:
- Baked in:
- Routing
- HTTP Requests
- Bootstrapping
- RxJS
- Inbuilt Robust Debugging features
- Document Object Model
- Modules
Unlike React, Angular is a more structured approach to client side web development. The initial code base follows a strict guideline on how it is intended to be used (although some will still use it how they deem fit).
This rigid like approach is seen as a ‘pro’ because it keeps code clean, more predictable and maintainable. Often which is preferred when working with enterprise software.
Because of the ‘strongly-typed’ approach and rigidness of the recommended structure given by Angular is often best used with developers whom have experience in Java or C#. The learning curve for Angular is quite high but generally offset with the maintenance of the code.
Angular would be used as for solutions where there will be ongoing long term support with a large feature-rich updates and a semi to fully dedicated team . Because we are looking at such large features being added on , the start-up phase of the project will take much longer as to ensure that all the correct pillars and structures are in place. When the project then gets to a Long Term Support phase with features coming in . There is no way of breaking or coding outside of what the project allows.
Angular || React ?
Each tool has its place in the digital warehouse of Full stack. From the Swiss army knife approach of React which allows for multiple solutions., to the power tool of Angular with a strong reinforced and sturdy approach.
The use case is often defined in how we see the life span of the project, the experience of the developers and the requirements of the actual solution.
With all in consideration, short term or constantly growing/changing solutions should rather use React as it has a much easier learning curve and quicker set up time with agile additions added or the ease of importing reusable components. If the team is new and you would like to get them up and running quick.
Angular is preferred for long term support with the correct resources to spear head the project. If started with inexperienced members the project architecture could collapse at a later stage and create a difficult start up and harder maintenance.
React is able to start small and build on its rigidity with a quicker upstart time but most likely slowdown in the maintenance phase as bugs will need to be ironed out.
If the project is on a much smaller scale such as UI components, widgets or single use case
features ( search bar ) . React is the option. Sprinkle on some Atomic Design principles ,
some RollupJs and npm and you have your self-components that can be used anywhere.
