JavaScript Libraries and Frameworks

Things started changing when AJAX comes into the picture, which allowed the web developer to update a part of the web page without downloading the whole web page from the server, this made the GUI faster and more responsive.

I am going to share some of the most useful JavaScript frameworks and libraries you can use for web development. As a web developer, you should be familiar with them and know when you can leverage them to build your next project.

Difference between Framework and Libraries

The main difference between JavaScript libraries and frameworks is that libraries consist of functions that an application can call to perform a task, while a framework defines how a developer designs an application. In other words, the framework calls on the application code, rather than the other way around. Libraries provide developers with predefined functions and classes to make their work easier and boost the development process. Framework, on the other hand, is like the foundation upon which developers build applications for specific platforms

I am going to share some of the most useful JavaScript frameworks and libraries you can use for web development. As a web developer, you should be familiar with them and know when you can leverage them to build your next project. 

JavaScript Libraries

React – Open-source library backed by Facebook Useful in creating interactive websites

Redux -Open-source library backed by Facebook. It’s useful in creating interactive websites

jQuery – Very popular; half of all known websites use it and takes care of all cross-browser incompatibilities Useful to know; you will almost certainly run into older code bases that use jQuery

D3.js – Great for creating custom data visualizations. Powerful API that uses selectors

Underscore & Lodash – Powerful functional programming helpers (e.g., map, filter and reduce). Helps you manipulate arrays, objects, and other functions

Backbone.js – Simplifies your code and structures JS code in an MVC design

JavaScript Framework

Bootstrap – Makes it easy to create responsive websites even if you have limited design skills Includes CSS styles, icons, components, & JavaScript plugins

AngularJS – Front-end JS framework created & maintained by Google

Can be inserted into HTML to give applications more functionality

Ember.js – Features an excellent build tool called Ember CLI, it offers everything you need to get started

​​Aurelia – Very forward-thinking framework; uses a lot of newer ECMAScript features Powerful and composable

Vue.Js – Unlike other frameworks, you can easily mix and match Vue into projects Features include components, templates, transitions, & 2-way data binding