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Today, there are too many programming languages in the IT industry. Some are used for front-end development, while others are used for back-end development. There are only a few languages that can be used for both. Despite this, JavaScript continues to proliferate.
As developers add more interaction and complexity to their programs, JavaScript has become essential for the internet experience. Due to its speed and efficiency, it has become a necessity for search engines, e-commerce, content management systems, responsive designs, social media, and mobile apps. JavaScript offers one of the most comprehensive libraries and frameworks of any programming language.
But when people talk about JavaScript libraries vs JavaScript frameworks, the terms tend to get used interchangeably, with people calling libraries frameworks and frameworks libraries. In addition, there are so many JavaScript libraries and JavaScript frameworks that deciding which ones to use might be difficult, especially if you're just starting out.
So, in this article, we'll talk about JavaScript libraries vs JavaScript frameworks, the difference between them, and some of their applications.
A JavaScript framework is a set of JavaScript code libraries that provide pre-written code for everyday programming tasks to a web developer. Frameworks have a specific context and aid in creating web applications within that context. They provide you with a great deal of control over your app. They may also point you in the right direction regarding architecture, and the project that follows.
The frameworks are made up of numerous libraries that include hooks and callbacks so that you can build on top of them. Furthermore, Increased demand for simplicity and design is what drives the development, as well as the continuous updating of JS frameworks.
There are approximately 24 JavaScript frameworks available, including testing frameworks, hybrid mobile app frameworks, rich UI frameworks, and many more. To utilize a JavaScript framework, it is important to read the documentation for the JS framework you want to use and follow the given procedures for installation.
AngularJS is unquestionably one of the best JavaScript frameworks available. It's an open-source JavaScript framework created by Google and was first released back in 2010. It is a front-end JS framework for making web applications. It was designed for MVC and MVVM client-side architectures to simplify the web development process and the testing of web applications. Angular is mainly used to create e-commerce applications and interactive web pages for real-time data apps like weather forecasts. This is because it supports 2-way data binding and employs directives to insert HTML code and improve the app's functionality.
Angular's environment is also readable, expressive, and rapid to construct, making it simple to describe static documents.
Evan You, who worked for Google at the time, built Vue.js, another major progressive JavaScript Framework, in 2014. It's a JavaScript framework for creating progressive user interfaces. Vue.js is easy to scale between a JS framework and a JS library based on various use cases and is incrementally adoptable from its core. As a result, it's ideal for small projects requiring less reactivity, such as displaying a modal or an Ajax-based form. Its Vuex and Router components can also be used on substantial single-page applications.
Node.js is a server-side, open-source JavaScript framework launched in 2009 and is based on Chrome's JS V8 Engine. It's a runtime environment for JS code that runs outside a browser. This JavaScript framework is intended to aid in the development of network-based server-side applications that are scalable, fast, and dependable. It's mainly used to make server-side apps, browser games, real-time online apps, and communication systems.
There are many more JavaScript frameworks that can help you with your specific application; however, If you are having trouble deciding what framework to use, you can check out this article to learn how to choose between the best JavaScript Frameworks.
A JS library is a piece of reusable code with a single primary use case. A JavaScript library can have multiple functions/objects/methods depending on the language. To have access to that capability, your application will link to a library. JavaScript libraries remove the need to reinvent the wheel for certain bits of code. As a result, development is more efficient and error-free.
Around 83 JavaScript libraries are accessible, covering machine learning, rapid prototyping, animated 3D graphics, DOM manipulation, and more.
To include a JavaScript library in your project, use the src attribute to reference the library source path or URL in the <head> element. For further information, read the documentation for the JavaScript library you wish to use and follow the instructions outlined there.
jQuery library is a powerful, lightweight, and feature-rich open-source JavaScript library. It was created in 2006 at BarCamp NYC by John Resig. jQuery is MIT-licensed open-source software that is free to use. This package makes HTML document manipulation and animation, event handling, and Ajax more simple. Effects, events, spirits, JSON parsing, Ajax application creation, and feature detection are some of its most common applications.
Another prominent front-end open-source JavaScript library is React.js. Jordan Walke, a software developer at Facebook, founded the company in 2013. It is now licensed under the MIT license. However, it was formerly provided under the Apache License 2.0.
React was created to make creating interactive user interfaces as simple as possible. Just create a simple view for each state in your program. It will then render and update the appropriate component as data changes. When creating mobile or single-page applications, React is the foundation. It's also helpful in debugging and testing, rendering a state on the DOM, and managing it.
Another well-known JS toolkit for data-driven document modification is Data-Driven Documents (D3) or D3.js. It was distributed under the BSD license in 2011. D3.js provides rapid animation and interaction, and even supports a wide range of dynamic behavior and datasets. This JS library cuts down on overhead, allowing for more graphical complexity at high frame rates. D3 allows you to change nodes in various ways, including declaratively changing styles or attributes: adding, sorting, or removing nodes, changing text or HTML content, and so on.
JS frameworks and JS libraries are both pieces of code authored by others to solve everyday problems. They are, nonetheless, distinct.
JS libraries give developers predefined methods and classes to help them work faster and more efficiently. On the other hand, the JS framework acts as a framework for developers to construct apps for specific platforms.
The term "inversion of control" describes the technical distinction between a framework and a library. You have complete control over the application's flow when you use a library. You get to decide when and where you want to call the library. While when using a framework, the flow is controlled by the framework itself. It gives you various locations to plug in your code, but it only calls the code you've plugged in when it's needed.
Frameworks and libraries are essential in programming. However, this begs the question of JavaScript libraries vs JavaScript frameworks, which is better?
One is not superior to the other, nor can one be used in place of the other. However, a developer can choose which one to utilize based on the project's requirements. Consider the objectives of the project you're working on. What is the scope of your project, for example? This can help you narrow down your selections and eliminate libraries/frameworks that aren't appropriate for smaller projects.
Overall, while both libraries and frameworks require a basic understanding of JavaScript, frameworks typically require more JS expertise and experience, making the learning curve for libraries a little easier. And which library should you start with?
React is a natural initial choice of library because front-end web or app development (where most web developers start) is primarily about developing and managing complicated user interfaces. Furthermore, there is a high demand for React skills among employers. There is also a large React community and robust documentation offered by the React team. However, just because you start with a JavaScript library such as React JS or jQuery doesn't imply you won't be able to learn JavaScript frameworks later. On the contrary, it will be much easier to understand and eventually go on to frameworks like Angular, Vue, or Ember JS once you've begun with one library. Learning to code is a journey, but you must take the first step.
JavaScript is a universal language available to a programmer. Its frameworks and libraries prove to be immensely helpful to programmers in the web development world. The main distinction between a framework and a library is that a framework inverts program control. It informs the developer of what they require. A library, however, does not. Instead, a programmer calls the library when and where he needs it.
Overall, JavaScript is used in most of today's applications and has exceptional aesthetics and features. It is preferred by web developers worldwide due to its premium features and ease of use. Now, before advancing in your software development career, you need to understand the fundamentals of JavaScript.
Ariel is the founder & CEO of Microverse, an online school for software engineers. Read more about Microverse and how it can help you.
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