Vue vs React

Vue vs. React 2022 - Advantages and disadvantages of the JavaScript frameworks and libraries at a glance

Vue or React? Project managers and programmers ask themselves this question every day. When should one option be preferred over the other for the new website? In this entry, we provide a remedy and describe the advantages and disadvantages of the popular frameworks (or library) in detail.

What is JavaScript?

Vue and React are popular JavaScript frameworks and libraries. The first question to answer is therefore why and when JavaScript should be used.

JavaScript was developed as early as 1995 and, with 69.7%, is still considered the most widely used programming language among professional developers. The original goal of JavaScript was to make a new website more interactive. The user experience was the main focus here. The real breakthrough of JavaScript was the release of AJAX in 2005, which, in short, allowed websites to be updated in real time and simplified asynchronous communication between websites and servers.

Apps like Google Maps and Google Translate, platforms like Facebook and Netflix or games like Angry Birds speak a clear language for JavaScript. In short, it is impossible to imagine modern web development without JavaScript.

What are JavaScript-Frameworks and -Libraries?

Put simply, a framework provides the basic framework with which, for example, a new website can be created. This is not a finished programme. The framework must be supplemented in the right places. These are customisable templates that allow programmers to insert codes in certain places. However, the framework as such already exists, so programmers do not have to start from scratch.

A library, on the other hand, is a collection of prefabricated sections, or classes and functions. These code snippets can be used like building blocks to create larger configurations.

Put simply, libraries offer smaller code fragments for frequently executed functions, while frameworks offer a larger template, but often at the expense of flexibility and individual design freedom.

When should you use a JavaScript library and when should you use a framework?

Creating a website Costs: The choice between a JavaScript library and a framework depends primarily on the respective project and the company's resources.

Any company that can cope with the lower flexibility and fewer individual design options should use a framework first. The disadvantages just mentioned are outweighed by the efficient use of resources. Thus, employees are less tied up and do not have to program from scratch, which lowers website costs.

However, if a company has the necessary resources and wants fewer limitations in the implementation, it should use a JS library instead. Therefore, the rule of thumb is: If possible, a framework should be used. If, on the other hand, the limitations are too great, a library should be used.

What is Vue?

What is the Vue JS Framework Javascript?

Vue is a JS framework for front-end web projects. Vue is one of the more flexible frameworks, as it is possible to make changes to the code without affecting basic functions of the entire structure. The Vue framework also allows users to add custom modules and visual elements. A number of significant applications have been created with Vue, such as Gitlab, Adobe Portfolio or even applications from Nintendo.

Building a Vue website: the advantages of Vue at a glance

• Easy to understand and well structured documentation
• Script Vue JS: Using ES5, ES6 and TypeScript
• Allows progressive app development
• Large open source community
• Lightweight Framework
• Vue.js 3.0 available as a brand new version

What is React?

React Framework or Library? React is often referred to as a framework, but strictly speaking it is an open source JS library.

Of course, it is also possible with the library to create sophisticated user interfaces for web applications or components that can be reused. As a library, React certainly offers more flexibility and design options than Vue, but it also requires more resources, which has a negative impact on website costs. React also has no need to hide in terms of the abundance of popular web applications. The best-known applications include PayPal, Facebook, Dropbox, Netflix and Twitter.

Building a React website: the advantages of React at a glance

• Simple optimization without much effort
• Flexibility for individual adjustments
• Multiple applications (web, mobile, desktop and more)
• Suitability for SEO websites
• Easy to debug
• Support through Facebook

Vue vs. React – a comparison

Difficulty/learning curve

Vue is considered one of the easiest JavaScript frameworks to learn. A few hours are already enough for programmers to be able to use the framework. The React documentation is a bit harder to read, which makes especially the beginning a bit harder. In summary, both are quite similar in structure, but Vue. js is a little easier to learn because it allows HTML and JSX.

Mobile development

With React Native, it is possible to use existing mobile apps or develop new apps. The code is largely reusable on mobile apps, which saves considerable time and enables cross-platform apps. Vue lags behind here, but also enables mobile development with NativeScript.

Popularity

In general, React is more popular than Vue, which is largely due to Facebook. Accordingly, Vue is more limited in resources. However, Vue is also gaining momentum. In a survey by *StackOverflow, React is „loved“ by 68.9% of developers, while Vue stands at 66%. Nevertheless, React's overall community support is much higher.

Security

Security vulnerabilities are known in both applications, although developers can usually protect Vue applications better, for example by cleaning up the HTML code. Developers must have a wealth of experience to make React applications secure.

Expandability

Reusable components can be implemented in both Vue and React. Vue or React applications can be easily extended with libraries to further facilitate the work and reduce website costs.

Test procedure

Here, too, React is ahead of the game. A multitude of test runners make life easier for test teams. Nevertheless, Vue is also making progress here, as the last updates have shown.

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