Understanding the Advantages of JavaScript Frameworks for Beginners
Tags: beginners, javascript, codenewbie
Published: 2023-03-09 13:52:21

If you're a beginner learning plain JavaScript, you might have heard about JavaScript frameworks and but aren't sure why you should learn them. This post will give you some general overview of the benefits of using frameworks.
 
As a web developer, you may have heard the question: "Why use a JavaScript framework when the same application can be built with plain JavaScript?" The truth is, there are many reasons why JavaScript frameworks are useful for web application development.
    1. Efficiency: JavaScript frameworks are designed to be efficient and help developers build applications faster. They provide pre-written code for common functionalities such as routing, state management, and data binding. This means developers can focus on the specific needs of their application, rather than spending time writing repetitive code.
    2. Scalability: As your application grows, it can become more complex and difficult to manage. JavaScript frameworks help manage this complexity by providing a structure for organizing your code and components. This means you can build more complex applications with ease.
    3. Consistency: Frameworks often enforce consistency in coding style and practices, which can make it easier for developers to work on the same codebase. This can lead to more efficient and effective teamwork, as well as better code quality.
    4. Reusability: JavaScript frameworks enable developers to create reusable components that can be easily used in different parts of an application or even in different applications altogether. This helps to reduce development time and improve code maintainability.
    5. Cross-browser compatibility: Frameworks help ensure that your code works consistently across different browsers and devices, which can be a challenge with plain JavaScript. This means your application will be more accessible to a wider audience.
    6. Productivity: With a framework, you can quickly build complex applications without having to write everything from scratch. This can increase productivity and save development time, allowing you to focus on the unique features of your application.
    7. Quality: JavaScript frameworks often have built-in testing tools and best practices, which can improve the quality of your code and reduce bugs. This means you can create more reliable and secure applications that will deliver a better user experience.

Let's take an example to illustrate how frameworks can simplify development. Imagine building a web application that displays information about books as a card. In plain JavaScript, you would need to create components using either the template literal method or by selecting, creating, and appending DOM elements.  However, these components might need to be connected to other functions, like a „read more” button or a pop-up modal window. Now  it can be difficult to connect the dots between these components.

By contrast, with a JavaScript framework like Vue.js, you can create a component where all the logic goes in the same file. For example, you could create a card component where the data is given as a prop, and a read more button and modal window component in a separate file where the data is again given as a prop. This component-based approach makes the code cleaner and more readable.

In addition, setting up a new project can be much faster if you have your own little "component" library where common components are written with a general approach. For example, you could have a button Vue component that can be "a" tag, a button, or a router-link (Vue router) depending on the prop it receives.

Another advantage of using JavaScript frameworks is that they use virtual DOM, which updates only the part of the code that has changed. This makes the application faster and more efficient.

In conclusion, learning JavaScript frameworks is essential for any web developer who wants to build complex and efficient web applications. By using frameworks, you can improve your productivity, reduce development time, and create better quality applications that work consistently across different browsers and devices.

So, the next time someone asks you why you use a framework, you can confidently answer that it's not just trendy, but a smart choice for your development needs.