Why are Developers Planning to Drift Towards React Instead of Angular

• Web
• November 23, 2020

by Rushi Patel

Most of the web developers, would agree upon the fact that both Angular and React are the open-source front-end JavaScript framework and library.

Since Angular arrived much earlier in comparison to React, it became one of the widely used programming languages to built best web applications.

One of the other factors that worked in its favour was the support and trustworthiness of Google, helping the developers to solve many issues related to development of single-page applications.

In fact, there were various other advantages such cross-platform app, synchronizing the data automatically between model and view components.

However, once React made up to the center stage, there was a drift in the paradigm. The developers slowly and gradually started moving from Angular to React as it was much better than Angular in terms of speed, efficiency, view library, simple API, and lightweight components.

Moreover, Angular had a few drawbacks causing problems and irritation for the developers and so they began to look for other alternative.

A Few Drawbacks of Angular

• One of the factors that forced developers to look beyond Angular was its steep learning curve. Moreover, it offered different ways to accomplish the same task, which often confused the developers to taking the best approach.
• JavaScript was mandatory for using Angular. Furthermore, it was also compulsory for the developers to have knowledge on the MVC (Model View Controller) architectural patterns, failing which it can be very time consuming.
• Although using the two-way binding can prove beneficial but if we see this in the larger context, then it only creates more complexity and affecting the performance of the web app.
• The dependency on DOM for the execution flow makes it difficult to test and debug the execution order.
• There are more than 2000 watchers that can drastically slow down the UI.

React as the Alternative

One of the best replacements that developers have found is to switch over to React in place of Angular.

Now the question is why React? So, one of the obvious reasons is that React is basically a JavaScript Library used for creating user interfaces developed by Facebook.

Therefore, you cannot put it into the category of framework as such. However, like Angular you can develop single-page applications and even write the self-contained components.

Unlike Angular, it allows one-way data binding and encourages the practice of virtual Document Object Model. It also uses the lifecycle methods to execute the codes at set points in case of component failure.

In addition, it allows the implementation of the JSX that helps in structuring the component rendering and makes use of known syntax.

Read also: Choosing the Best Front-end Web Development Tool: AngularJS Vs ReactJS

Some Reasons Why Developers Consider React a Better Option Than Angular

React is Quick and Efficient

We have mentioned the fact that React is more a library than a framework. So, you do not work upfront with the Document Object Model but instead go for the layer of Virtual DOM. This is something that expedites the speed of the development.

If you are continuously rendering, the React would diff on the Virtual DOM. This means it only updates the particular part of the actual DOM that requires an update.

In fact, the Virtual DOM is a wonderful feature to have in the bag. It also resolves the problems related to cross-browser issues.

The developers get an access to unified cross-browser API, which can even run on an old browser as Internet Explorer version 8.0.

Read also: Why ReactJS Has Gained the Spotlight Amongst Developers

React Suits Well to Component Based UI

React is well fitting into the shoes of the component-based User Interface. It helps to modularize the application, separating the concerns for each of them.

You can create as well as test each of the components individually. React is a library that focuses on solving a problem offering a tool to develop the component.

The Advantage of JSX

With React you get the additional benefit of JSX, which is its own syntax helping to develop the components.

This is where the developers can blend the elements of both HTML and JavaScript using the JSX apart from implementing the inline styles as well. JavaScript basically supports the development and manipulation of the DOM but it is inlined with the HTML.

Apart from that, the JSX also lets you employ the different JavaScript functionalities such as map and filter showing the DOM nodes.

Single Data Binding Benefit

In Angular, there is a provision of two-way data binding and that is why React outclasses it in this aspect. You must note that it is an architecture called Flux that makes this one-way data flow in JavaScript applications possible.

Facebook developed it with view library with the intention of simplifying the task of development apart from easing the work of bug fixing. What’s more beneficial is the fact that you can also integrate it with other frameworks as well.

Flexibility in Building Blocks

React is a ecosystem that is built around developing the blocks. And it offers you the flexibility to choose your building blocks to sort out the problems. It offers the simplicity and convenience to exchange the blocks and what is what further eases out the task of the developers.

For instance, you can take away Redux or MobX for the state management. In fact, the core building block can also be exchanged.

For example, you can use libraries including Inferno and Preact to substitute the React. You won’t find this facility in Angular as the JavaScript framework as its own solutions.

Isomorphic JavaScript

One of the major disadvantages with respect to Single-page JavaScript web applications is it got restricted when crawled by the search engines.

But the good thing is that the React has found a solution to this issue and it has the capability to pre-render the apps on the server before being sent to the browser.

This helps an Angular development company restore the state of a live application. The search engine crawlers depend a lot on the Server Response pre-rendering enhances the SEO chances.

Support of the Large Community

One of the aspects that compel the developers to move on to React from Angular is the increase of the community members all over the world.

With each passing day, new people are on board for building the blocks and also looking for new experiments and innovative ideas. Thus, the ecosystem is getting pushed away in the new direction.

The developers are learning a lot from the other experienced campaigners in the community group and they can also take help from the members in case they get stuck somewhere.

View and Controller at Single Place

The newly introduced web apps function at a different stance and so it’s not a good idea to always follow the conventional method.

Keeping this in mind, you must know that the View and Controller are heavily dependent on each other and so you need to update the View layer with user interaction without any disturbance to the server.

React has chosen a different approach where it has kept the View and Controller at one place without using any third-party engine unlike the other frameworks.

React also Supports Building of Large Applications

When you are creating large applications, you need the assistance of the loaders and bundlers to suffice your work needs.

However, the JavaScript frameworks don’t offer this important module and so the developers to turn towards React.

React works and supports the RequireJS, Browserify and Webpack to solve the purpose. In fact, it is built with Browserify. However, while inserting the images you need the support of LESS or CoffeeScript.

Read also: Tips for Developing Mobile Apps with ReactJS

Conclusion

For those who are well accustomed in using the Angular and experienced in this framework will find some difficulty in switching over to React mainly because of the single-way data flow method.

However, as you go on using it and practicing the techniques, you would probably find it easier than Angular and enjoy building high standard user interfaces.

If you are looking for ReactJS development service for your projector planning to hire ReactJS developers, we have the right expertise to help you achieve considerable results.

FAQs About React and Angular