Angular or React: A Decision-Maker’s Guide to Framework Selection

React and Angular are two dominant technologies that rule the world of web development. In an application created using JavaScript, Angular, and React play a significant role. Choosing a framework that can offer resourceful opportunities is a daunting task. There are several aspects that need to be kept in mind while making the decision of which one to go with.

Comparing Angular vs React on the same ground is a no-brainer. Angular is a TypeScript Framework based on JavaScript while React is a JavaScript library based on JSX. Adding new libraries into React can turn it into a full-fledged framework. Angular and React both offer architectures that are based on components. That leads to an increase in the reusability of elements.

What is Framework?

A framework is a structure on which software can be built. Framework serves as a foundation point or a guiding torch that helps to give a rock-solid push to software. Take the example of Mathematics, a solid foundation in Mathematics can ensure the candidate can ace any area be it Algebra, Arithmetics, Geometry, or Numbers. Similarly a strong framework can ensure any type of software application is built without any hiccups.

What is a Library?

JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages used worldwide. It allows developers to create different types of applications. JavaScript is famous for creating web applications. The boom of smartphones and the internet has given JavaScript a wing.

JavaScript is a popular library for JavaScript. Since JavaScript is the most used programming language ever created, it is being used in multiple cases. JavaScript library solves problems that arise in the development. These libraries include pre-written codes that can come in handy at the time of development.

What is Angular?

Angular is a Framework created by Google. It is popular among developers to create single-page Enterprise Web Applications. It is written in TypeScript and is based on HTML (HyperText Markup Language). The architecture of Angular depends upon NgModules. The Angular technology is suitable for every project. It is capable of developing small single-developer based applications as well as large organisational size multi-developer projects.

Advantages of Angular

Custom Components that can be reused
Clean Code Development
Dependency Injection
Full fledge framework (Unlike other JavaScript libraries)
End-to-end testing
TypeScript
Code Consistency

What is React?

React is a free and open-source JavaScript library. It is a component-based architecture with a strong community of developers who are constantly updating it. React offers the facility to break complex long codes into tiny simple pieces. It is getting very popular these days and hence many new developers and season-old developers are now choosing React over other frameworks.

Advantages of React

Easy to Debug
Faster Development
Virtual DOM
Used as a framework
SEO Friendly
Toolset for Developers
Simplified Scripting

Detailed Comparison of Angular vs React

	Angular	React
Developed By	Google	Facebook
Releasing Year	2009	2013
Written In	TypeScript	JavaScript
DOM	Real	Virtual
Performance	High	High
Data Binding	Two way	One way
Dependency Injection	Yes	No
Learning curve	Steep	Small
Popular Applications	IBM, PayPal	Facebook, Instagram

Popularity

Angular and React both are highly sought after by developers globally. Angular is used by 17% of developers while React is used by 41% of developers globally. React is a popular choice among developers thanks to its easy debugging and code component reusability. Angular being a full-fledged framework is being used by followers who believe in it and use it to build custom enterprise applications.

Performance

When it comes to comparing the performance between Angular and React, both the framework and the library act similarly. Both offer high performance. React offers single-way data binding while Angular offers both-way data binding. Angular uses RDOM (Real Document Object Model) while React uses VDOM (Virtual Document Object Model).

Data Binding

Both two-way and one-way data binding can be used as per the requirement of the project. Angular’s two-way data binding leads to automatically changing the model state while React’s single-way data binding renders the interface after its update. When UI components are changed, the model site remains the same as it was.

Quality Assurance

Angular eliminates the error and maintains the good quality of the code. React allows the review and generation of similar coding practices. It ensures the code stays at the highest possible quality. Angular uses isolation of unit code React mocks the test data to avoid any flakiness.

Learning Curve

Angular is dynamic and very vast. It follows learn once apply anywhere philosophy that helps to cover all the areas of the framework. It might be difficult for a new developer to start learning Angular, so most developers go for React. On the other hand, React is easy to learn and is very popular in the developer community. It is easier thanks to ease of use. React does not have a dependency Injection which makes it hard at times and limited in terms of learning curve.

Popular Applications

Angular is used by Google, Microsoft, PayPal, IBM, Upwork, Forbes, and many more big organisations. React is used by Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Discord and Dropbox.

FAQs