Angular Vs. React: Choosing a Front-End Web Stack

Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

Web development is an Art.

The success of your business more or less depends on the efficiency of your website.

Thus, it’s essential to wisely choose the components or tools used for its development. Angular and React are the two most important and famous names in the JavaScript Ecosystem.

These are the Front End development frameworks that present developers with many unmatchable advantages. Both of them provide the developer an edge over the essential coding practices and get you to the market significantly faster. 

There are different expectations from different strata of users from these languages. For instance, organizations and businesses are curious about the framework that might aid the development of an application that functions seamlessly, is feature-rich, and has a hassle-free and superior user experience.

On the other hand, the developers want to know which language offers ease of learning, has a higher demand, and can lead to career growth. 

Usually, numbers don’t lie. If we talk about stats, the developers swear by the figures provided by StackOverflow. If given a choice, the developer would end up choosing React. 

It is a very close call. The essential features of these frameworks are listed below to help you with the best decision for your project.

What is Angular?

Angular or Angular.JS is a web development framework used for almost a decade now.

It is a tool that is based around JavaScript and is used for developing web applications along with mobile web components, native mobile, and native desktop.

It is an open-source front-end development tool and provides a supporting structure or a strong foundation for the code. The structure here is predefined and needs to be followed rigorously to build a clean and consistent code.

In the case of Angular, TypeScript is used, which is also a JavaScript superset that offers additional features like optional static typing to the language. 

As described by Stack Overflow, it is a “scaffold for building your front-end.” It enables you to structure your files, decreases the use of coding with the help of reusable components, and enables data associated with the use of DOM elements.

Angular.JS is a component-based web application framework that provides immensely integrated libraries and features, thus carving a niche for itself by providing highly scalable, full of features, fully functional web apps without any hassle.

The Application examples for Angular include Upwork, Forbes, Samsung, Microsoft Office, etc.

Specifics:

Created by: Google and the Community

Released Date: September 16th, 2016

Latest Version of Angular: Angular 12.1

Live Websites: 141,796 according to BuiltWith

Benefits of Angular.JS

• BiDirectional Data Binding

The most crucial feature of Angular.JS is that it allows quick and highly accessible data binding, also called two-way data binding.

The moment any new changes are made to the view, the model will be immediately reflected and vice-versa. The developers have no role to play when it comes to data binding.

• Manipulation of The Document Object Model (DOM)

The active DOM manipulation becomes more manageable because of two-way data binding. Also, functions like coding, translation, and updating of DOM elements become faster and seamless.

• Server Performance is Considerably Improved.

The Angular.JS supports processes like caching and other processes, thus improving the server CPU performance and making it excellent. It also leads to reduced traffic.

• Quicker Application Prototyping

The developers can quickly develop highly functional application prototypes with reduced code usage.

• Highly Responsive Web

Development of highly responsive, fast navigating web applications has become possible with Angular.JS, thus offering improved and superior user experience and interface.

• Easily Testable Products

Various application components can now be isolated and tested because of features like dependency injections.

Angular.JS provides unit testing and end-to-end testing features, making testing and debugging more organized and straightforward.

• The MVVM Architecture

Angular.JS offers advanced features like Model-View-Controller and Model-View-View-model architectural patterns, which significantly improve the application performance.

• Directives Usage

The front-end developers can now organize and declutter scripts and HTMP pages with easy availability of directives. They can also create independent codes and use them repetitively with the help of this feature.  

• Speedy Development

Angular.JS provides rapid development. It is easy for freshers to learn the Angular.JS framework and make highly functional web applications.

Limitations of Angular.JS

1. The development of DOM might seem easy, but their performance might not be up to the expectations.
   
2. With Angular.JS, the integration of third-party libraries and extensions becomes difficult. 
   
3. For Angular.JS, the number of resources for routing is limited. 
   
4. At times, Debugging might lead to some performance and functionality issues.
   
5. The embedding of interactive elements in the pages might lead to a decrease in the speed of the pages.

What is React?

React is an open-source technology stack that enables the development of web applications along with hybrid mobile apps.

It is a JavaScript library that is used for the creation of a user interface (UI). React is defined as a web framework by leading resources, but it is a library. 

To understand this concept, we’ll have to get into the basics of a library.

A library is generally a code that is prewritten, and it solves any problem instantly, along with saving a great deal of developers time that could have been wasted in writing the code.

Required methods can be called by a developer every time it is required. React works on a simple concept that is Learn Once Write Anywhere.

It helps create highly scalable web applications in a limited amount of time. React supports a robust ecosystem of libraries around it, creating a complete framework if required. 

Specifics:

Created by: Facebook and Community

Launched on: May 29th, 2013

Newest React Version: 17.0.2

Total Live Websites: 9,965,709 according to BuiltWith

Application Examples for React include Netflix, Airbnb, Uber, Facebook, etc.

Benefits of React

• Easy usage and learning

React comes with lots of comprehensive documentation and training resources, enabling the developers to understand it from scratch. If the developer has the slightest idea about JavaScript, learning React would be a piece of cake for him. 

• Easy to understand dynamic web application development

Earlier, developing dynamic web applications with HTML strings was tricky because it required complex coding. But with the introduction of React, the developers can make scalable and dynamic web applications with an almost diminished need for coding using JSX (JavaScript Extension).

• Components That can be Reused

The HTML code of each component of the application can be reused with the help of React.JS. It fastens the process of app development and makes it more accessible. Complex applications can be created with the help of the building blocks made with the help of these components.

• Improved and Superior Performance

There is an improvement in the app’s performance because the DOM is virtual, thus dealing with HTML, XML, and XHTML. The updated DOM is used to bring down the performance a notch. React introduced the concept of virtual DOM, thus eliminating the performance issue.

• Support Tools Availability

The availability of specific handy tools up its sleeve makes developers comfortable using React. The component hierarchies can be inspected in the case of virtual DOM with the help of Chrome and Firefox dev extensions.

• SEO friendly

It is generally tricky for search engines to read heavy JavaScript applications. This issue won’t be a problem anymore with React-powered web applications because these applications can run on the server. The virtual DOM makes the rendering and returning the page to the browser easier.

• Easy Testing

The availability of native tools enables the developers to test React applications quickly and effortlessly.

• JavaScript Library

A rich JavaScript library is offered by React, thus providing developers with superior flexibility along with the versatility to choose from. 

Limitations of React

1. The Developers sometimes find it very challenging to cope with dynamic things, even though the development pace is very high. Frequent adoption of changes becomes challenging. 
   
2. The document changes can’t be made properly because of the hastened framework updation. The Front End Developers generally write instructions to solve this issue. 
   
3. Different tools and technologies are needed for other factors because it covers only the UI part of the app. 
   
4. It is hard to learn, and developers find it challenging to implement, even though JSX has its benefits.

Detailed Comparison of Angular and React

• Components of UI 

There is a need to create UI tools for UI components by the React developers, though some of which are free and some paid.

If we talk about Angular, it comprises an in-built material technology stack with developed components that are comparatively advanced, thus making UI configuration faster, easier, and seamless.

• Real DOM Versus Virtual DOM

Angular’s real DOM consists of an updated tree data structure even when a segment is changed.

React.JS has a DOM that is virtual and is easy to ponder. It enables the developers to keep track and update the changes without significantly affecting the other segments of the tree data structure. 

• Componentization

There are three significant layers on which the Angular.JS framework relies. These consist of the Controller layer, View layer, and Model layer.

Angular.JS allows the app code to be broken down into different files, thus making it easier for front-end developers. Also, it enables the developers to use the element templates repetitively, even in the other parts of the application. 

Developers can create element trees while developing applications on React, thus making React codes comparatively logical and easier to read than Angular code. There isn't a need for developers to write code manually. 

• Toolset

Code editing tools are used by both Angular and React like Visual Studio, Sublime Text, etc. The thing that highlights Angular is the capability to test an Angular.JS application using a single tool like Karma, Jasmine, Protractor, etc. Angular wins over React here.

• Documentation

The winner here is React.JS. The reason is, the documentation of ReactJS. is comparatively more organized and robust. If we consider Angular.JS, the documentation lags due to a continuous development procedure.  

• Mobile App Development

For mobile app development, Angular.JS uses an ionic framework that comprises a UI component library and a Cordova container. When seen on a device, the developed app would look like a website in the web application container. 

Comparatively, React.JS applications offer a much more superior native UI experience. Elements can be made and bound by the developers with the help of the code written in various languages like Kotlin, Java, Objective-C, etc. Therefore, React is the winner here.

• Productivity and Development Speed

Angular offers high productivity and speedy development because of the CLI, thus empowering the developers to use one-line commands for element and service creation. To address the issues, it also has an in-built procedure. 

Third-party libraries regarding React.JS impact productivity and speed. On top of that, there is a variation in the React toolkit from project to project. The crux here is that the developers put more effort and time into the updating of the app. Hence, Angular.JS is the winner here.

• Popularity

A survey performed by Stack Overflow Developer in 2020 points out that React is comparatively more popular than Angular. However, both technologies are growing and flourishing worldwide.

• Freedom and Flexibility

For choosing the libraries, architecture, and web development tools, React.JS developers have more freedom. A highly tailored application can be created using React. Whereas, Angular.JS comparatively offers limited flexibility and freedom.

• Testing and Debugging

Only one tool is required to test the entire Angular application, which is impossible with React.JS. For example, Karma, Protractor, etc.

React.JS needs multiple tools to perform various types of testing, thus needing more time and effort.

• Data Binding

It is considered one of the most crucial factors by developers in selecting the web app development framework. 

Angular.JS has a two-way data binding approach compared to React.JS, which uses one-way data binding.

React.JS doesn’t allow developers to make any changes in the UI components without the updating of the model state. Angular.JS alters the model state automatically while changing the UI component and vice-versa.

Angular and React win here, as both are highly effective and offer excellent data overview.

• Community support

As stated by the 2020 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, React has better and more accessible community support than Angular.

• App Functionality and User Experience

The new Angular update involves a ShadowAPI, thus offering brilliant app functionality and user experience, While React uses Fiber and Virtual DOM to develop applications. Hence, both are performers in this case.

• Learning Curve

Angular emerges as a leader because it has a considerable learning curve and various options to address a specific issue. Angular.JS has a cumbersome component handling system requiring developers to be familiar with multiple concepts and programming languages like dependency injection, pipes, RxJS, Typescript, etc.

Whereas not much expertise is needed when it comes to React app development. If familiar with JavaScript, one can quickly learn and develop an app using the React framework.

When to Choose Angular

The choice depends on the requirements of the application.

If it doesn’t require too many functionalities and the level of complexity isn’t very high, for them, Angular.JS is suitable.

Furthermore, a person can go for Angular development while looking for high productivity if the Angular skills of your development team are pretty good along with C# and Java.

When to Choose React

When there is a need to develop shareable elements in any application, including several other events, one can use React.

React is also very useful in case a bespoke app is needed. If your development team has good skills, primarily in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, one can choose React.JS app development services. 

Conclusion

The ultimate conclusion that can be drawn is that both Angular and React are practical and have their pros and cons.

The extra task that the developers have to perform here includes choosing the best suitable framework for developing your application. In the end, all that is needed is an efficient framework that would meet the core needs of the project.