JavaScript , also known by its abbreviation JS , is a programming language with which dynamic HTML content can be implemented in the browser. This language can be used for both object-oriented programming (OOP) and procedural or functional programming. JavaScript contains predefined objects, that is, data with special characteristics, methods or functions, to allow access to a web page but their use is somewhat complicated. Today there is a large number of instructions grouped in various JavaScript libraries and frameworks, tools that make programming easier. Below, we present the best and most well-known.
Bookstore vs. framework
First of all, it is necessary to highlight their differences. Often, library and framework are mistakenly used as synonyms. Even though the transmission is carried out smoothly in many aspects, there are substantial differences between the two.
Bookshop
In the field of programming, the term library refers to a program library , regardless of whether it contains classes or components or is another type of library. Unlike a framework, a library is developed to be used in a certain way and has, to do so, functions that have been adjusted to each other. An example of this is the JavaScript library D3.js , which allows data visualization and with which you can create small tables, diagrams or statistics and even complex graphical representations that include animations and options for interaction. Libraries or libraries are always linked to software that accesses the corresponding functions of a program library when it needs them. As a consequence, such libraries only work in a program environment and cannot run independently.
Framework
A framework , which in English means infrastructure or framework, is not a stand-alone program, but rather a special type of class library . Frameworks represent the software architecture (the framework) of an application and fundamentally determine the development process. Frameworks have specific development models that, in turn, have various functions (often in the form of several libraries) and are used to develop new and independent applications . An example of this is the Zend Framework for PHP, which can be used in Magento online store software and also the Piwik web analytics tool .
Control reversal
Another difference between a framework and a library consists of its control. In the case of libraries, the programmers’ code is accessed through the software programming interface. However, frameworks carry out an inversion of control : the code is integrated into fixed structures of the framework and is displayed when required. In summary, it can be said that libraries are requested by the program, while frameworks create the guidelines for the program.
JavaScript libraries and frameworks
The most important thing about JavaScript is that it is an ideal browser-side programming language. However, many programmers find the interface of the web page problematic: the DOM (Document Object Model) . This is precisely where JS frameworks and their libraries come into play, which facilitate the work of custom software development company in this and other fields of programming. The JavaScript extensions below can be downloaded for free.
JavaScript libraries
JavaScript libraries are reusable code instructions through which features and functions are assigned (for example, for a web page). jQuery is the best known and it offers numerous valuable functions, although there are also others that can be useful.
jQuery
jQuery is the most used of all JavaScript libraries. This is due, among other reasons, to the fact that it makes it possible to write jQuery code in any type of browser and that there are numerous plugins for this. The open source library is included in numerous content management systems such as WordPress , Drupal or Joomla! . jQuery is primarily used as a convenient DOM interface and offers many features: CSS3 selectors allow you to easily select and manipulate elements on web pages, but jQuery is especially popular due to the ability to integrate Ajax queries (requests). HTTP that do not require reloading the web page).
Dojo Toolkit
Dojo Toolkit is designed to make web applications and dynamic web content . As one of the oldest JavaScript libraries that is still relevant in the market, it offers a lot of additional features. Its most important components are Dojo, the main program, and Dijit, a module for graphical user interfaces that allows elements to be incorporated into the page with the help of predefined widgets. Dojo can be used with the DOM and with Ajax.
react
React was first used in 2011 in the Facebook newsfeed. In 2013 it was published as an open source JavaScript library for creating user interfaces . The characteristic of React is that it can not only be used in web page clients, but also on the server or during application development. This is attributed to the use of a virtual DOM, which also makes web application parsing easier. Likewise, this JavaScript library also stands out for its one direction data flow: this technique provides stable code in which changes in the hierarchically lower code cannot influence the higher one. Thus, changes can only have an effect in the opposite direction.
Zepto
Zepto is a very lightweight JavaScript library : while jQuery convinces, above all, with its functionality, this is what intimidates many custom software development services, and that is that said JavaScript library can be very complex. The minimalist Zepto is much lighter, so it loads faster and takes up less space, allowing it to be integrated into mobile applications. To keep the file volume to a minimum, Zepto reduces, for example, compatibility with older browsers. Likewise, to allow the use of Ajax and animations, additional modules must be used.
CreateJS
Not one library, but several: CreateJS is a suite of four different libraries: EaselJS (graphics and interactivity), TweenJS (animation), SoundJS (audio) and PreloadJS (preload) There are no dependencies between them on, which means that all four are in the same need They do not have to be used in one project. In addition, some tools are offered to simplify working with JavaScript libraries. The focus is on developing HTML5 and Flash applications . In general, the CreateJS team works closely with Adobe, so there are also tools that ensure the suite’s seamless collaboration with Adobe products.
Most used JS frameworks
The number of JavaScript libraries is notably greater than the number of frameworks. The latter are used, above all, for complex web applications and are very effective in case developers intervene in the conceptualization and specification of the corresponding framework.
AngularJS
The framework created by Google has by far the largest community among JavaScript frameworks. AngularJS is used to create single-page web applications (web applications that consist of a single HTML document), as does its main competitor, the Facebook React library. Because of the MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel) pattern , web applications specialized in interaction with users can be developed. The providers of this JS framework, however, define AngularJS rather, partly jokingly, as an MVW model or Model-View-Whatever, that is, model-view-whatever. The rendering of the application is carried out, in this case, on the client side. The framework is based on jQuery Lite, a reduced version of jQuery.
Angular
Angular , often also called Angular 2, is the successor to AngularJS. This JavaScript framework is mainly aimed at developing single-page web applications, although Google has made very important changes in the second version. The biggest difference is, in this sense, that JavaScript is no longer used for programming, but TypeScript. Since Microsoft’s scripting language is based on and supported by JavaScript, there are no direct restrictions on JS development. Likewise, Angular adapts in such a way that developing applications on various platforms (desktop, mobile, tablet) is no problem.
Ember.js
Ember.js is also a client-side framework with which you can create single-page web applications and desktop applications. One of its distinctive features with respect to AngularJS is that the creators of Ember.js have included the community more intensively in the framework development process and that important changes made to the framework are discussed in said community before being executed. Ember.js is marketed as a framework for developing ambitious web applications, so it is first and foremost aimed at software development services with web applications
Vue.js
Vue.js is also a JavaScript framework for creating single-page web applications reminiscent of Angular and React. The developers of this relatively recent project have designed Vue.js in such a way that getting started with it is relatively easy . This makes it possible, for example, to integrate templates into HTML. Additionally, Vue.js is much more flexible than other frameworks that usually prescribe in a somewhat rigid way how to use the framework.
Meteor
Meteor , also known as MeteorRJ, is a JS framework especially suitable for cross-platform development that allows developers to create web and mobile applications with the same code . Another advantage is that code changes can be sent directly to clients thanks to a proprietary Distributed Data Protocol (DDP). For this free framework, Meteor providers also offer Galaxy, a paid platform. Developers can use the cloud service to publish and host their projects. The JavaScript framework works with Node.js, so for development with Meteor it is advisable to have knowledge of the development environment. With Meteor you can create both backend and frontend in one piece without modifying the language, a revolutionary concept that has not yet taken hold.
Useful tools in various sectors
JavaScript frameworks and libraries can simplify the work considerably. The tools detailed above only constitute a small part of those available on the market. Both GitHub and www.javascripting.com are ideal for obtaining additional JavaScript libraries, plugins and frameworks. On these web pages you can find JavaScript extensions appropriate for each objective.
Guest article written by: Glad you are reading this. I’m Yokesh Shankar, the COO at Sparkout Tech, one of the primary founders of a highly creative space. I’m more associated with digital transformation solutions for global issues. Nurturing in Fintech, Supply chain, AR VR solutions, Real estate, and other sectors vitalizing new-age technology, I see this space as a forum to share and seek information. Writing and reading give me more clarity about what I need.