The frameworks are used to build web products. They are part of the technology stack, which is determined when the project is launched. The most commonly used JavaScript frameworks are React or Angular. Each has advantages and disadvantages, suits specific tasks, and is used for different development approaches.
How to choose between them? Which one is better: React or Angular? Based on the expertise of a trusted technology partner, let’s figure this out in the article.
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React and Angular: Overview
React, created in 2013 by Meta (formerly Facebook), and Angular, introduced by Google in 2016, are JavaScript technologies for creating user interface elements. The main task of any framework, Angular or React, is to assemble parts of the code into a single system, which will become a web product. But there is a crucial difference. Angular is a framework, while React is a library.
The framework has all the necessary libraries and parts of the code, thanks to which you do not write code from scratch. In other words, the framework works with databases, the file system, and other components of an extensive application, whereas the developers just build the application architecture, add the necessary components, and combine them.
Despite the different approaches, both technologies are the most popular tools for a web developer today. Let’s take a closer look at what makes them different.
Angular vs. React in Technical Aspects
Although there are many technical aspects based on which we can compare the tools, let’s discover some key technical differences between React and Angular.
Language
React is based on JavaScript, while Angular is based on TypeScript, which is a superset of JavaScript. TypeScript offers features such as static typing, interfaces, and classes, which can help catch errors at compile time.
Rendering
React uses a virtual DOM to efficiently update the UI, whereas Angular uses a real DOM. React is known for its fast rendering performance, while Angular’s rendering is slower.
Data Binding
Angular offers two-way data binding, meaning that UI changes are automatically reflected in the data model and vice versa. React uses one-way data flow, meaning data flows in a single direction, from parent to child components.
Components
Both React and Angular are component-based frameworks. However, in React, each component is responsible for rendering its UI, whereas, in Angular, components can have both UI and logic.
Tooling
Angular comes with its own set of tools, including the Angular CLI, which provides a command-line interface for generating components, services, and other Angular-specific features. On the other hand, React has a more lightweight tooling ecosystem and can be integrated with other tools like Webpack or Babel.
Learning Curve
Angular is known for its steep learning curve due to its complex architecture and use of TypeScript. React, on the other hand, is easier to learn and has a larger community with many resources available for beginners.
Using React For Your Project
Here are some pros of using React for your project:
- Performance. Thanks to its virtual DOM implementation, React is known for its efficient rendering performance. This means that updates to the UI are minimized, resulting in faster and smoother application performance.
- Reusability. React’s component-based architecture allows for easy code reuse, reducing the amount of redundant code and simplifying maintenance and updates.
- Flexibility. React can be used for various applications, including single-page, mobile, and even desktop applications.
- Large community. React has a large and active community of developers, which means that many resources and libraries are available to support development.
- Easy to learn. React’s syntax is simple and easy to understand, which makes it easy to learn, especially for developers with prior experience in JavaScript.
Let’s discover the cons of React:
- Steep setup. React requires additional tooling to set up, which can be time-consuming for developers unfamiliar with the tools.
- JSX. React’s use of JSX syntax can be confusing for some developers, especially those unfamiliar with HTML.
- Boilerplate code. React can require a lot of boilerplate code, especially for larger applications, which can increase development time and make the codebase harder to maintain.
- Flux architecture. Although Flux is not required for using React, it is a common pattern for managing application state in React and can be complex to understand for some developers.
Pros and Cons of Using Angular
Here are some of the pros of using Angular for your project:
- Comprehensiveness. Angular provides tools and features for building web applications, including a complete architecture, data binding, form validation, dependency injection, and more.
- Two-way data binding. Angular’s two-way data binding simplifies the process of keeping the UI and data model in sync, making it easier to build complex applications.
- Large community. Angular has a large and active community of developers, which means that many resources and libraries are available to support development.
- TypeScript. Angular is based on TypeScript, which provides additional features such as static typing, interfaces, and classes, making catching errors at compile time easier.
- Testing. Angular provides built-in support for unit testing and end-to-end testing, making it easier to ensure your application works as expected.
Developers highlight the following cons:
- Steep learning curve. Angular has a steep learning curve due to its complex architecture and use of TypeScript.
- Boilerplate code. Angular can require a lot of boilerplate code, especially for larger applications, which can increase development time and make the codebase harder to maintain.
- Performance. Angular’s real DOM implementation can lead to slower rendering performance compared to other frameworks, such as React.
- Size. Angular is a relatively large framework, which can result in longer load times and increased bandwidth usage.
- Upgrades. Upgrading to a new version of Angular can be a complex process, especially if you have a large codebase.
Remember that the main thing is the development team, no matter which framework you choose. True professionals can create cutting-edge products with both React and Angular. Therefore, you should choose a technology partner consciously.