The developer community has spoken, and the votes are in for Most Popular Programming Language. Insert dramatic pause here. The winner and reigning champ for the sixth consecutive year (yawn) is….JavaScript. Surprised? Neither are we. In a comprehensive survey polling over 100,000 developers worldwide, respondents were asked to report on their preferred tools and technologies. With its widespread use on both the front and backend, JavaScript has become quite a Man of the People in web and mobile app domains alike. So, it comes as no surprise that some of its top tools and frameworks are set to dominate web development in 2019. Buzzworthy technologies hailing from Team JavaScript? React and Node.js.

React Leads the Stack.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? There’s a reason why nearly 70% of developers surveyed are married to React when it comes to building UIs.  With its proven flexibility and rendering efficiency, it’s no wonder the JavaScript library has amassed such a cult following. React boasts declarative views, which allow for clean, predictable code and a painless debugging experience.  Additionally, the component-based technology is void of templates, so you can channel rich data through your mobile or web app and keep state out of the Document Object Model (DOM). And with React, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. In other words, you have the latitude to develop new features without rewriting any existing code.

What is React?

While React is a toolbox staple for most developers, a few other frameworks are nipping at its heels. Google brainchild Angular is lauded for its speed and scalable infrastructure, while newcomer Vue.js is starting to generate buzz as well. The latter is particularly attractive to frontend developers because of its ease of use, virtual DOM, and its components’ ability to keep track of its reactive dependencies, allowing for speedy and intuitive re-rendering. We’ll have to see how all three continue to trend, but for now, it looks like React has cemented its place as the go-to framework, especially for small and midsize apps that involve heavy user interaction and lots of fluid data.

If You Don’t Node, Now You Node.

Coming in hot on the server-side framework front for 2019 is Node.js. Built on Google Chrome’s high-octane V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js is used by nearly half of all developers. Its trademark simplicity is rooted in the fact that there is no segregation between the code and the web server, and customization of large configuration files is not needed to achieve your desired outcomes and behaviors. Before the birth of Node.js, web development teams were tasked with using different languages for the frontend and backend. The need for only one language (JS) with Node.js certainly saves you valuable time, money, and manpower.

Speedy and scalable, Node.js may be the best option for you if your apps are centered on real-time interactions and behaviors.  One of its notable components is its event loop, a feature that allows for non-blocking I/O operations. This benefit is particularly valuable if you’re managing a high volume of simultaneous server requests. It’s worth noting that Node.js boasts a trifecta of prominent frameworks, each with their own distinct characteristics and functional benefits:

  • Sails.js is a popular choice among backend developers due to its integration compatibility with almost any database. It’s a viable solution for social media, real-time, and chat-based apps.
  • Meteor.js is well-suited for smaller apps as it only integrates with MongoDB and can expedite development across all platforms with both web and mobile apps.
  • Express.js is considered the accepted standard and is known for its speed and simplicity.

What is Node.js?

Staying on Trend

With 2019 fast approaching, you face a “good problem”– selecting which tools and technologies will fuel your web and mobile app development endeavors. There’s certainly no shortage of options, but the ever-ubiquitous JavaScript and its host of tried-and-true frameworks will surely continue to be a top choice among developers worldwide. Not sure if React and Node.js are good fits for your project? Contact us today to talk shop and let us h elp you bring your ideas to life.