Angular and React are both effective and convenient platforms for web apps development, but its time to find out which one will suit your project better.

Author: Rita Shygyda

Angular, being a JavaScript-based front-end open-source web application framework, and React, a JavaScript library for the creation of users’ interfaces, are both effective and convenient platforms for web apps development. Still, it’s time to find out which one will suit your project better.

When it comes to whelming your website with tons of data to attract more clients, there are lots of options available to do that quickly and effectively. In the past, the developers used to perform a vast share of tasks on the server, however, nowadays the data uploading became closer to the customer, enhanced with tighter reciprocal capabilities as it supplies the clients with more space for trials.

The variety of digital instruments for customer-lateral coding that support the activities on filling the web with data and communication with the user exists. Among others, Angular and React are dominant, struggling open-source frameworks created by Google and Facebook accordingly. Both Angular and React are prominent solutions for providing customers with conglomerate, information-based applications, and websites. Yet, they suggest distinctive accesses which establish the permanently existing object of discussions among code developers.

Yet, the question is open: which one, Agular or React is the more suitable choice for your needs? Below we’ll try to summarize the advantages of both platforms that might be of use when making the right choice.

Angular React Creator Google Facebook Category JavaScript framework Open source JS Library Toolchain High High Language TypeScript JavaScript, JSX Learning Curve Medium Low Packaging Medium Strong App Architecture Component-based None Data Binding One-way and two-way

data binding One way data binding DOM DOM, Regular Virtual DOM Last Version Angular 9.0.0 React 16.12 Users Nike, YouTube,

NASA, and HBO Uber, Instagram,

Facebook, Dropbox,

Netflix, and PayPal.

React vs. Angular Feature Comparison List

MVC Pattern: the app is divided into easily modifiable and distinct elements, which makes it easier to reduce the number of code lines and can increase the overall quality of the product.

Angular is developed according to the MVC architecture patterns.

React uses only the view component of the MVC, which has the potential of increasing the lines of the code.

Templates: you can use various templates to create UI and reduce the time spent on the development.

Angular uses the TypeScript file templates.

React uses the templates in the JSX file.

Data Binding: this feature allows to establish a connection between the UI and the app's business logic.

Angular offers both two-way data binding as well as one-way. In the two-way data binding, it connects the model data to the DOM via the controller, and if you change something in either UI or backend, the changes are visible throughout the project.

React uses one-way data binding, therefore the data is directed only one way. While it has its own drawbacks, this feature greatly simplifies the debugging process and makes its flow more natural. This is especially critical for large applications.

Rendering: the data can be rendered in two ways - client-side and server-side. Client-side rendering affects the page loading time negatively for heavy data projects, therefore it's recommended to use server-side rendering.

Both React and Angular use server-side rendering.

Performance: the app's performance is one of the critical user experience factors.

If you use Angular with two-way data binding, it has the potential to negatively affect the app's performance.

React, with its one-day data biding, is better suited for developing complex applications. Additionally, there is a built-in virtual DOM feature which lets the server to save a light version of the DOM tree, reducing the loading time even further.

Packaging: in order for the app to load fast, the developers must aim at loading the minimum number of required code, and then adding more. This allows developing features without increasing the loading time.

Angular is more rigid, compared to React because it ends up looking like an assembly code after the attempts to control the packaging.

React library enables working with solutions like web pack, which helps with the slower loading code pieces.

Learning curve: if you are a developer, the learning curve is the time and initial knowledge required to learn how to code using this technology.

Angular, being a framework, has a steeper learning curve compared to React. It has a complicated lifecycle and you'll need to deal with an unintuitive link and compile processes.

React, being a JavaScript library, has a lower learning curve and it's generally easier to start working with the one-way data flow. React's library also has very few lifecycle methods, so it's simpler than Angular.

Model complexity: it means how you would structure your app data model when it is represented by the view.

Angular is sensitive when you deal with its scope because of its "copy and compare" feature, which restricts using large app models. However, on the bright side, it has the advantage of simplifying the testing and using the code.

React offers the option to choose from the data model structure without impacting the performance of the app. Both approaches (Angular and React) are good in this case.

Reuse of code: there's no need to re-create a bicycle when you've done it already.

Angular consists of a series of ready-to-use elements. Even despite priority collisions and namespaces, Angular is always ready to add more elements.

React lets you manage your app code as you like, but in terms of reusing the code, it's not as straightforward as Angular.

Test-driven development (TDD): this approach simplifies the future debugging of the project and has numerous other advantages.

Both teams encourage TDD: the Angular team uses karma and the React team uses jest/mocha.

Benefits of Angular

When the entire framework type is a value

One of the strong Angular’s features is that it already includes much of “create, read, update and delete” tasks performed in advance. To be more precise, the Angular projects comprise a solid set of CRUD tools that can facilitate further works.

Therefore, the only thing that has to be done is to label the modules and the relevant areas with the following orchestrating CSS guidelines to show them properly. As the architecture is completely ready for filling it with the information and its processing, Angular can be considered as the entire framework.

Downward systematization

One more possibility to realize another Angular’s strong suit is to see that, to a greater extent, it is already logically arranged. Consequently, what remains to be done is to excavate inland and to adapt it. Normally, coders begin with imagining the full-scale vision and then process all ins and outs.

Yet, it might be really helpful for a beginner or for those who are looking for easier ways to discover that Angular is already equipped with the standard range of views in-built.

Using TypeScript

Being a handy option, Angular is compatible with TypeScript, a subtype of JavaScript. Its nature can well explain TypeScript's benefits as it combines powerful type verification abilities with JavaScript’s basic structural principles and functionalities.

TypeScript delivers more monitoring of the code using various annotations, interfaces as well as it is possible to get the advantage of the newest ES6 feature compilations, make certain that the code will match multiple browsers, and the syntax will be accurately systematized.

Although the use of TypeScript is not mandatory, many programmers used to rely on it, that’s why it can be a decision-making factor for those who are in the middle of choosing between Angular and React.

Keeping HTML in mind

HTML is the primary step in Angular coding as long as the site is being assembled using tags and then compiled utilizing Angular. Some developers claim that when they say Angular, they mean, first of all, HTML, adjusted only to the small portion of JavaScript included.

Consequently, due to this reason, Angular can be of use for the developers who prefer HTML, being obstructed with JavaScript’s conglomerate nature. The coders may draft their vision within the HTML field, but still, the possibility to handle some JavaScript is available, if applicable.

So, the coder with the strong affection for HTML can consider Angular as a convenient space for development where HTML tags play a pivotal role, and JavaScript is across the way when single-time processing is required.

Demonstrative coding

There is a group of IT experts and developers who distinct the programming languages that are designed on vision-submission principle, or so-called “declarative” languages. In essence, it means that the coder, using language, can submit his expectations in the form of a complete view, and the language will conduct remaining processes independently to deliver the desired product.

For example, when talking about HTML, the coder signifies the section of the file by marking them with tags, so the system automatically decides how to navigate and compose those pieces to create the most attractive picture.

Supplemented HTML

HTML is an effective tool, but sometimes it is too standard to achieve the forecasted yield using its basic platform. If the coder wants to get some more room for maneuver, HTML should be somewhat complemented with extra features.

Luckily, Angular is capable of reinforcing your coding potential with more virtues for HTML tags. When you plan to create an original solution, few extra attributes definitely won't come amiss.

Starting all over again

Many beginners, as well as experienced coders, when asking about their feeling when using Angular, share similar sensation: perception of starting from scratch. The reason for this feeling is Angular’s high grade of universality and flexibility. Even if working with Angular for years, there is always some space for new exploration.

Indeed, it can be challenging, but at the same time, it gives the unique possibility of creating original solutions with no recalls for the past.

You might also be interested: JavaScript Frameworks 2020

Benefits of React

Value of compactness

The React’s opponents often blame it for its naked simplicity: supposedly, it is just a compilation of standards for putting information on the display. Still, the same statement can be applied to most of the JavaScript pieces that are integrated into the web. What the critics of React can’t don’t want to admit is that this portable assemblage of instruments can be extremely effective if the user knows how to arrange the website in the most optimal way.

In a nutshell, React is not designed to equip you with full-fledged perception, but it gives necessary facilities for the construction of the desired eyesight under the required conditions and terms. To a certain extent, this versatility makes React an excellent choice for the developers who don’t look for a heavily loaded solution with multiple options but need an assisting instrument, like a simple library, to elevate data to the web.

Upward systematization

Coders who utilize React usually perceive it as a basis for the process of ascensional structuring. Although this similitude is rather symbolic as the programming is not three-dimensional or even bi-dimensional, nevertheless this example helps to sensate the distinction against Angular. Programmers utilizing React are layering the data piece by piece like dragee is being produced at the confectionery factory before the product is finally prepared.

What is crucially important for such coders is that they don’t want to be limited to any preliminary set boundaries of vision, as their work has to be a completely original masterpiece. And this is where React is a perfect tool as it brings nothing but sufficient assistance, everything else is the developer’s creation.

JavaScript as it is

The thing is React designed based on the regular version of JavaScript. Consequently, it will be the most effective tool when used with the same common JavaScript. So, if the coder is not expected to involve other versions such as TypeScript, React will be exactly what he needs.

More JavaScript, less HTML

JavaScript’s elements build the core of React, so it is not surprising when they push out the HTML components. Yet, if some HTML elements are needed to be pointed out, they have to be transferred to JavaScript first, and then it will issue the breakage when the process is finished. In other words, those who prefer JavaScript will hitch on together with React.

Creating a full-scale code, not just a layout, will be effortless with React because the essence of work is to design functions, spread data modules while HTML elements are supplied to the browser.

Commanding coding

In the world of coding, there are languages designed based on designative principle, and JavaScript is one of them. The developer has to tell the program what steps have to be performed and in which sequence.

Compared to demonstrative coding, this approach won’t suit the users who want just to submit a vision and to get the result right after that. In contrast, imperative programming will work for coders who prefer old-school development.

Refined JavaScript

The supporters of React often insist on the statement that their programming is JavaScript without impurities. In particular, as they explain, React is not burdened with excessive attributes and notions. Therefore, the rookie coders will feel more convenient when entering the programming field, exploring plain understanding and memorizing regular functions and data constructions within JavaScript scope. In turn, it is expected to increase coding results repeatability quality and to facilitate project completion significantly.

Conventionality

In a nutshell, React is more replication of previous experience than cutting-edge innovation. If the coder has already completed a few projects with JavaScript, it won’t be too complicated for him to continue coding with this app. Certainly, the programmer has to learn some extra stuff such as React’s application programming interface and to realize how to transfer information to it. Still, on the whole, the principle is pretty similar.

Angular vs. React? Angular + React

As you may find out from the comparison above, both Angular and React can be high of use, and it can be complicated to choose one of them for your upcoming project. Indeed, the methodology and approaches are a bit distinctive, yet, they are not mutually exclusive after all. Thus, there has to be a dimension where both Angular and React feel good in a tight collaboration. One case of such successful interaction, ng-React, is capable of showing the bright potential of combining these two apps in the same project.

Finally, although the differences between Angular and React can be tangible when choosing the most suitable framework, the overall success of your project will also depend on other important components such as the vision of the web product, the convenience of patterns structuring and navigation, data quality and so on. The biggest challenge will be to synthesize all these elements to get a persistently functioning solution. And selecting between Angular and React is just one step on your way to getting what you really want.