What Are The Differences Between Angular And React?
If you are a front-end web developer and just learning the ropes of full stack web development, you will run across Angular and React pretty soon. The JavaScript scene is changing, and with new frameworks coming out, you may be left wondering — which should I choose? Angular or React?
Well, this is where we come in. Let’s get the ball rolling and help you decide.
Here are some of the key differences between Angular and React.
Framework Vs. Library
Angular is a complete framework while React is a JavaScript Library. Angular uses a two-directional data flow process where it updates the Real DOM directly while React updates only the Virtual DOM and is concerned with the one-directional data flow. While React can be bundled with other programming libraries, Angular is a complete solution in itself. For uni-directional data flow, React needs to be augmented by Redux.
Learning Curve
Angular 4 uses TypeScript which adds robustness to your application. For beginners, Angular 4 is difficult to learn when compared to React since it is a complete framework. However, the learning curve is clear-cut with Angular, whereas with React, it becomes minimal when taken only the library into consideration. React uses JSX for building applications and is much harder to learn for beginners when augmented with Redux.
Figures showing international interest in Angular/React
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Community Support
Angular has a credible backing and following with a strong community support system. When comparing the raw figures, the number of tutorials and open-source contributions, Angular 4 wins over React which is behind in community contributions and collaborations. Angular is also globally used more than React.
Developer’s Perspective
Angular is easy to step up but takes time to deliver projects since it has a steeper learning curve and uses a lot of unnecessary syntax for the simplest things, thus increasing coding time and delaying project deliveries. React takes longer to set up than Angular but lets you create projects and build apps relatively quickly. Plus, you get to add new features with React through different libraries, unlike Angular. React also lacks model and controller components, unlike Angular.
Backward Compatibility
Angular 4 is backward compatible with Angular 2 and beyond. Versions below Angular 2 are not backward compatible, however, and this is one of the drawbacks of Angular as a JS framework. React is a different story. React 16 is completely backward compatible with previous versions and even includes support for asynchronous rendering. It’s also complete open-source and licensed under MIT alongside GraphQL and Jest. Angular 2 is not backward compatible with AngularJS.
Conclusion
Angular and React each has their differences and use-cases; thus it’s difficult to state which is better for beginners objectively. If you’re starting out, we recommend you learn the nuances of both and adapt according to the ecosystem that’s being used by project managers/developers in your country/city.
Would you like to share your opinion? Comment below and let us know!
Originally published at www.cuelogic.com
