Angular vs React which frontend framework is perfect? It’s a never-ending debate that is prominent amongst the tech lovers for many years. This problem arises whenever frontend development is needed.
With every passing year, the count of JavaScript frameworks is increasing at a solid speed. The business these days are preferring two frameworks Angular and React for frontend web app development. Choosing the right framework can turn out to be favorable for business success.
Furthermore, it will impact your ability to finish the web app development project timely and maintain code in the future as well. Both the frameworks are effective in adding structure to the code and make it well-organized.
In this post, we’re going to do a comparative analysis of the most popular JavaScript frameworks Angular & React. So, let’s begin.
Angular vs React: A Concise History
Angular and React are gaining immense popularity, and it’s primarily due to the companies which are behind these technologies- Google and Facebook. That’s why they’re termed as Facebook JavaScript Framework and Google JavaScript Framework.
Google is the creator of Angular, which was released in 2010. While it’s release, the striking feature of Angular was that it effectively converts HTML documents into dynamic content, which paved the path for further success and development. In 2016, Angular got a complete transformation. The Angular framework was re-written with TypeScript by Google.
Facebook is behind the development of React framework, which was built in March 2013. And, it was considered perfect-fit for building dynamic user-interfaces. Over the last few years, the React technology has undergone a stable development with the regular updates. It is mainly used for building reusable HTML for implementation in the front-end development. React is the most famous amongst all the JavaScript frameworks, and often termed as the best JavaScript framework.
Angular vs React: The Key Difference
For understanding the difference between Angular and React, we’ve to keep the architectures into consideration. Below you will read the main difference between a library and framework.
Angular is a full-grown framework, which allows a full set of libraries that makes the development process seamless while React is a JavaScript library. However, we raised the same question every now and then, “Is React a framework”? A lot of developers assume it to be a framework, as it can easily integrate with several additional libraries and tools which is suitable for app development. This grants the title of the framework to React.
The notable thing to consider is the difference between JavaScript and TypeScript. React utilizes JavaScript, which is a renowned dynamically-typed language (no declaration of variable type is needed). The majority of developers are acquainted with this language, which makes it convenient to get a development team for the project.
Angular is a statically typed language that requires the declaration of the variable type. It is a superset of JavaScript that was built by Microsoft. This web app development tool is useful in enhancing JavaScript. The count of developers who uses JavaScript is fairly high compared to TypeScript.
Angular vs React: Which is better for app development?
We suggest you choose between Angular and React after considering their pros and cons. So, the question is what exactly you should focus on while making a choice between these two technologies?
Angular seems to be a good option for software developers as it carries the suite of advantages which any full-fledged framework exhibits. If your development project is timeline bound, and you don’t have sufficient time to search for technologies to the couple, Angular is the ultimate choice to go with.
Opt Angular technology in the following conditions:
- If your team is versed with Java & C++, as these languages have a lot of similarity with TypeScript.
- A project is highly productive in nature.
- The app development project is large-scale where lots of features are required to be added.
- The development team always chooses out-of-the-box solutions.
React is not far from its competitors and provides a higher level of flexibility. While Angular is having a set toolbox, React can adjust effortlessly with specific needs of the project by adding additional tools and libraries. You can select React in the following situations:
- You have to build a distinct app, which requires higher customization.
- The development team should be an expert in HTML and JavaScript.
- The app involves dynamic, data-intensive, and continuously changing the content.
Since the tech industry has entered into the era of micro apps and microservices, choosing the right technology is necessary for the development projects. TypeScript makes Angular the best option for a Single Page Application (SPA) development. React provides more flexibility that is great for microapp and microservice development. You should make a final decision by considering the project type you’ve in your mind.
Angular vs React: Which factors to keep in mind
Although React and Angular have so much in common, the differences between Angular and React can’t be overlooked. Before jumping into any decision, you are required to find the answer to this question, “Which tool is ideal for our project’s need?”
Given below are some main factors that you should consider while choosing between Angular and React.
Pros & Cons of Angular Framework
As already discussed above that Angular comes with a set toolbox, and you don’t have to waste time in coupling different technologies and libraries. This felicitates you in developing web apps faster.
Here are the main benefits of Angular that you should know:
Two-way Data Binding
This leverages the developers to quickly change UI elements. Within the Angular framework, every change that has been introduced in the UI element will be reflected in the model state automatically.
RxJS
This library of asynchronous programming efficaciously handles asynchronous operations and events. This minimizes the resources required for those operations.
Angular CLI
It is essentially a command-line interface, which acts as a tool responsible for the quick generation and running of a project in few commands. This helps in decreasing the time for building apps, adding files, making tests, debugging, and deployment.
Angular Universal
This technology efficiently renders Angular apps on the server-side. It fully supports Angular CLI and NodeJS framework. It is termed as the reliable solution for mobile devices that lag behind the processing power for the client-side rendering.
Ivy Render
It is the newest addition in the Angular framework. It compiles one file at a time and improves the overall performance. For output generation, Ivy Render takes into account only a component and its template (avoid dependencies completely).
Testing
It can be done using a single tool. If you want to perform vigorous testing of an Angular app in a browser, then Jasmine, Karma, and Protractor solutions are perfect for the purpose.
Below you will read the drawback of Angular:
Regular DOM
It is a prominent feature that is necessary to consider. In contrast to its counterpart, Angular uses Regular DOM instead of Virtual DOM, which can hamper the app’s performance while handling the bulk of data requests.
React Library: Benefits & Drawbacks
The real potential of ReactJS can be seen only when it will be integrated with other tools and solutions. Some front-end developers consider it as a shortcoming, while others consider it as the feature of React library that increases flexibility. The project’s success entirely depends upon the team and their knowledge to opt for the right technology stack.
Here are some main benefits of React:
Virtual DOM
It is fast compared to regular DOM. This is due to its capability to change only certain parts of data without modifying the complete part of the HTML tree.
Next.js
It is a framework designed specifically for the server-side. It can be delivered both on the client and server-side, which saves additional processing power for virtual DOM.
Redux
This JavaScript library handles state modifications. The entire application state is represented with the help of a single object. When it is used in big scale projects, Redux is highly effective in elevating the performance of React apps.
JSX
It is a debatable topic amongst the front-end development community. While some see it as a wonderful option, others don’t consider it so. With React, you’re required to build a single-self contained component.
Below you’ll find the main disadvantages of React:
One-way Data Binding
It makes difficult for the developers to introduce changes in the UI elements. However, you can’t see it as a drawback; as a project expands, React provides a better data overview which makes debugging a hassle-free job.
Testing
The process of testing a React app is cumbersome and challenging at the same time. This is because you’ve to use different tools for various types of testing. Likewise, Enzyme and Unexpected React will be used for component testing, Jest for JavaScript code, React-unit for unit testing, and many more.
Angular vs React: Which wins the race?
Which is better- Angular or React? There is no fixed answer to that question. Both technologies are suitable for front-end development. These are powerful and intuitive JavaScript frameworks, and the software firms pick the one which fits well with their development goals.
Wrapping Up
So, that’s all about the in-depth comparison between Angular and React. You’re required to choose the framework diligently as it’s the most vital step before heading towards the development phase.
