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Building a mobile and web application can be an arduous task and every developer expects the best results on the first try. Yet, a robust backend created with the right set of tools can optimize development time and help you streamline your resources. Which can further help in the development of state-of-the-art web and mobile apps. Lately, developers around the globe are utilizing a combination of technologies to get efficient results for mobile and web app development and one such technology is MEAN stack development.
Mean Stack is one of the fastest-growing open-source development frameworks which aids developers to develop complex web applications very easily and quickly. Additionally, it is popular among developers for its potential resourcefulness in terms of web development.
Now you must be thinking what is MEAN stack and why is it so popular?
Let’s first dive into its brief introduction.
The term Mean Stack refers to a set of collected JavaScript frameworks used for building complex web applications.
MEAN stack full form is MongoDB (database system), Express.JS (back-end web framework), Angular JS (back-end web framework), and Node.JS (back-end runtime environment). JavaScript holds all of these frameworks together.
Here is the typical flow of information within various components of the MEAN stack. Each module communicates with the other to maintain the flow of the data from the Backend/Server to the Frontend/Client. MEAN is written in one language for both client-side execution and server-side. The picture below explains the flow:
Each component of the MEAN stack performs its function. These are all JavaScript-based technologies.
MongoDB is the document database that is utilized for the development of backend applications to store data as JavaScript Object Notion (JSON) documents. So MongoDB stores the application’s data.
As both the application and the database use JavaScript so the need for the translation is nullified when the object goes from an app to a database or the other way around. MongoDB is preferred for its scalability in performance as well as in storage. It also enables the users to include fields in the database without reloading the entire table. Plus, MongoDB is cost-effective and can be used to move server-side and client data.
In addition to all of this MongoDB is also accounted among the Top 4 databases for react-native application development.
Express JS is the backend web application framework. It is a considerably lightweight server. It helps the development process by utilizing Node.JS and aids the APIs whilst developing the required web applications. The Express.JS also merges with Node.JS as the development process gets more straightforward.
Express.JS allows speed and facilitates secure applications and manages the communication between the database and frontend. With Express, you cannot accidentally redefine variables because it halts and prevents overwriting them – thus saving money and time.
Angular is one of the most popular frameworks today it is forecasted to be among the Top 11 JavaScript frameworks of 2022. It is built and maintained by Google. In the MEAN stack, AngularJS helps in building single-page dynamic web apps quickly. Due to its easy-to-use templates and ultra supreme performance, it is termed as an ideal front-end framework. Moreover, both desktop and mobile applications can be constructed simultaneously with Angular.
Node.JS is used for building highly scalable server-side applications. It can serve as the best backend for the development of the web as well as mobile applications. This framework provides a library of JavaScript modules to simplify web development methods. Node.JS also behaves as a backbone whereas Express JS works on the top of Node.JS. Plus, AngularJS connects with Node JS. and facilitates swift data serving. Node.JS best selling point because of its scalability.
The top 11 reasons why you should use the MEAN stack are given below:
For the development purpose, the apps and websites that usually run on a single language such as JavaScript are fast and easy.
It works on Java Script which is the most used programming language globally. It also comes with the advantage of having the most active and responsive developer community. Thus, making solutions easier and accessible for all parties.
MEAN is highly adaptable because the developers can develop, test, and release the app without any difficulty. Furthermore, MEAN enables the developers to include extra data.
Single Language Development
The use of a single language throughout the development process for both client-side and server-side makes the development process neat.
The deployment cost for the application developed by the utilization of the MEAN stack is cheaper as the components are free of cost and it can run on any server. With the inclusion of this approach, it becomes easy to interchange the front-end frameworks with others for instance ReactJS, Vue, and other Angular versions without any influence on the back-end logic and system.
All components of the MEAN stack are open-source and updated often, enabling the developers to customize code based on their development needs. In addition to this, Node.JS gives a rich library of JavaScript modules.
It allows isomorphic coding meaning that developers can easily shift their ready-made code from one framework to another. Intrinsically, the codes that are once written in one framework can be reused in other frameworks are called isomorphic codes. Additionally, this code works flawlessly as if written natively.
Angular is quite popular for its top-level User Interface (UI) and User experience (UX) in any web and mobile app development. So most of the mean stack projects which demand high-quality UI/UX use AngularJS as it is considered one of the best front-end technologies. It also helps MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture thus giving high-quality user interfaces.
This Stack uses public libraries and repositories for the process of development. This also decreases the overall cost of development. Also, MongoDB uses cloud functionalities in the app that decreases the rate of disk space.
The MEAN stack is a high speed and reusable because of the non-blocking architecture of Node.JS. Other than this, Angular JS is an open-source JavaScript framework, thus offering reusability, maintenance, and testability.
MEAN stack developers can have free or cheap web hosting platforms. Like Redhat open shift, Microsoft Azure, A2 hosting and Xervo, etc.
Because of these reasons, the mean stack is used around the world in different kinds of projects.
Its increased scalability and handling capacity of concurrent users make it much more favorable for the development of cloud-native applications.
It is not suitable for every application but the Angular JS aids to develop Single Page Applications which mostly have all the information and functionalities for the user on a single page.
The type of web or mobile app projects which can be developed with MEAN-STACK are below:
Some popular mean stack applications are Youtube, Flickr, Forbes, Tumblr, Shutter Stock, Facebook, PayTm, Netflix, and Instagram, etc.
Nowadays, the combination of different frameworks, each possessing its unique ability gives the best results. Other than the MEAN stack, the MERN stack is also being used widely.
Andrew Hunt, the co-author of the famous book The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master said:
“In some ways, programming is like painting. You start with a blank canvas and certain basic raw materials. You use a combination of science, art, and craft to determine what to do with them.”
MEAN stack has become one of the most popular frameworks because from single-page applications to advanced complicated ones it provides developers with the perfect platform to construct dynamic applications.
If you are thinking of developing a web or mobile application with the help of the MEAN stack application then book your consultation with ARFASOFTECH here. Because our experienced web and mobile app developers can save you from all the hassle and provide you with the best and cost-effective web and mobile app solutions.
Fahad is PM at ARFASOFTECH but has a knack for writing. He enjoys writing about the latest technologies and evolving trends. Most of his writings revolve around trending technologies and their integration into operations.
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