Each web developer wants to write both front-end and back-end of a website or web application in a single programming language. The full-stack web developers opt for app development using MEAN stack as it enables them to write web applications with a single programming language – JavaScript. The web developers can take advantage of the combination of JavaScript based technologies to write both front-end and back-end of the web application in JavaScript. In fact, MEAN is the acronym for MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS and NodeJS. The components of MEAN stack allow programmers to build a variety of web application by using JavaScript as client-side as well as server-side programming languages.
Overview of Key Components of MEAN Stack
MongoDB:
MongoDB is a widely used NoSQL and schema-less database. Unlike relational database management systems, MongoDB saves data in binary JSON format. The binary JSON format makes exchange of data between client and server more efficient. The open source NoSQL database is further compatible with major cloud platforms, and being supported by a large and active community.
ExpressJS:
Despite being a lightweight NodeJS framework, Express comes with a number of features to simplify development of single-page and multi-page websites. The developers can take advantage of an array of HTTP utility methods and middleware provided by ExpressJS to build custom APIs rapidly. Also, Express enables web programmers to avail all features of NodeJS by providing a set of basic features and functionalities.
AngularJS:
The popular JavaScript framework is developed and supported by Google. I have written about the evolution and rise of Angular JS. Angular allows web developers to use HTML as a template language. The developers can further add AngularJS to a HTML page through < script > tag, and express various components of the web application by extending HTML syntaxes. Also, AngularJS comes with a number of robust features including two-way data binding, components, deep linking, server communication and form validation. Angular JS is increasingly used for creating ambitious web applications.
NodeJS:
Unlike other JavaScript frameworks, NodeJS enables programmers to write server-side code in JavaScript. NodeJS is also designed as a cross-platform and server-side runtime environment. It executes JavaScript code more efficiently through Google V8 JavaScript engine. The built-in libraries included in NodeJS further enables developers to run web applications efficiently on web server without relying on any web server. Startups and small businesses love Node JS for app development.
The Ease of App Development using MEAN Stack
Write All Code in JavaScript
Each web application developer has proficiency in JavaScript as a hugely popular client-side programming language. Many web developers even use tools like NodeJS to use JavaScript as a server-side programming language. MEAN Stack enables each developers to write both client-side and server-side code in JavaScript. Each JavaScript programmer can now leverage his skills to write the entire web application in a single programming language.
Keep Business Logic and User Interface Separate
AngularJS fully supports model-view-controller (MVC) design pattern. Hence, the developers can keep the user interface (UI) and business logic separate while building websites with MEAN Stack. The separation will enable developers to build web applications rapidly by working on various components simultaneously. The programmers can further avail robust features of AngularJS like automatic view/model synchronization to deliver updated data and content to users. Also, AngularJS allows programmers to work with a number of popular UI frameworks including Suave, PrimeNG, QuantumUI and UI Bootstrap.
Avoid Common Issues related to SQL
While working with RDBMS, programmers have to handle a variety of issues related to SQL. MongoDB is designed as a NoSQL and schema-less database. It is also widely used as a document database. The performance-driven model provided by NoSQL enables MongoDB to handle large volumes of structured and unstructured data efficiently. Also, MongoDB is designed with features to eliminate common issues related to SQL.
Deploy Applications in the Cloud
Most enterprises nowadays deploy websites in the cloud to avail flexibility and scalability while reducing cost. Unlike conventional RDBMS, MongoDB works seamlessly with various cloud platforms. The web developers can further use MongoDB Atlas to set up, scale and manage their database deployments efficiently in the cloud. They can further deploy the MongoDB on major cloud platforms like AWS Cloud and Google Computer Engine.
Take Advantage of Third-Party APIs
As noted earlier, MongoDB saves data in binary JSON format. ExpressJS, AngularJS and NodeJS supports JSON format fully. Hence, it becomes easier for web developers to use JSON format for data throughout the application. The uniformity further make the data flow through various layers of the application without requiring any changes or conversion. As the developers have option to store all data in a single format, it becomes easier for them to take advantage of a variety of third-party APIs. JSON enable programmers to work with GET, POST, store, manipulate and present more efficiently.
Enhanced Performance and Load
In addition to being a cross-platform runtime engine, NodeJS further executes code through Google V8 JavaScript engine. Many studies have highlighted the enhanced performance and speed of web applications developed with NodeJS. Unlike other server side technologies, Node distributes incoming connections and allocate smaller heap to each connection. Hence, the performance of the application is not affected adversely as no big thread is created for each incoming connection. At the same time, NodeJS further enables the web application to handle extremely high load in a more efficient and faster way.
Open Source Components
Each component of MEAN Stack is open source. Also, each component of MEAN Stack is supported by a large and active community. Hence, the components get updated at regular intervals with new features. Also, members of the community promptly released fixes for bugs or issues found in MongoDB and other JavaScript frameworks. The openness further makes it easier for programmers to customize component of MEAN Stack according to specific needs of each project.
However, it is also important for web developers to understand some of the prominent shortcomings of MEAN Stack. JavaScript was originally developed as a client side scripting language. Hence, it lacks a number of advanced features provided by other widely used server-side programming languages like PHP. Also, the functionality and performance of the application developed with MEAN Stack will be affected fully if the user disables JavaScript on his web browser. But the JavaScript developers can take advantage of MEAN Stack to build a variety of dynamic web applications with JavaScript-based technologies.
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