When building a web application, deciding which JavaScript framework to use can be a daunting decision.
Angular is a full framework with all the tooling and best practices designed on top of it. React, on the other hand, is developed by Facebook and is a self-described JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
Read on to explore some of the key differences between the two technologies and learn how you can use one or both for your next web project.
|
Technology |
Angular |
React |
| Type | MVC framework is written in JavaScript | JavaScript Library that has the view in MVC, however, requires flux to implement the architecture |
| Concept/ Process | Works by bringing JavaScript into HTML with the real DOM client-side rendering | Works by bringing HTML into JavaScript with virtual DOM server-side rendering |
| Data Binding | Two-way data binding | One-way data binding |
| Dependencies | Manages dependencies automatically | Requires additional tools to manage dependencies |
| Best suited | Best for SPA’s that update single view at a time | Best for SPA’s that update many views at a time |
We have further discussed their individual differences with respect to componentization, performance, data binding, directives, and templates.
1. Performance
The advantage in Angular’s performance is the feature of two- way data binding whereas React utilizes a virtual Document Object Model, which is considered as an advantage of React in comparison with other frameworks including Angular. However, the performance of an application may vary depending on the size of the application and code optimization.
2. Componentization
Angular has a fixed structure and it is based on the three layers that are Model, View, and Controller. The Model is initialized by the controller, which is then transformed into HTML to create View for the users.
React is created with a different architecture that is distinct from Angular but similar to MVC frameworks. There is no specific structure for React. React is a vast JavaScript library that updates the views for the users, the structure lacks model and controller layers, however, Facebook introduced Flux that has better control on the application workflow
3. Directives and Templates
Angular Directives are used to organize the code around DOM. Developers can access the directives only through DOM. Developers can also create their own directives other than the standard directives (ng-bind, ng-app) that are available.
React does not distinguish between templates and directives, template logic should be written in the template itself. This approach of template and logic being placed in one place is better as we would spend lesser time in understanding.
4. Data Binding
The Data binding concept is considered as the major difference between Angular and React. Angular web development uses Two-way data binding which means that any change in the UI field would also change the data in the model dynamically. In case of React development, it uses one-way data binding, where the data in the application flow in a single direction. Angular is efficient as developers find it easy to work with whereas React is more towards the structural representation, understandability because the data flows in a single direction
Conclusion
Angular and React are different instruments that work great for single-page applications in their individual ways. Some developers may prefer angular after considering the reasons to choose Angular and some may prefer to react. However, the decision would be with respect to the project requirements.
