A single page application is a kind of a web app or site that interacts dynamically with the user rewriting the present page instead of loading entire new pages from a server.
For web app developers, it is essential to pick a dynamic and powerful framework in order to create a single page app. The chosen framework should be able to deal with complicated architectures involved in creating various web apps to make them interactive.
Here, we have listed the five most popular frameworks that are best suited for developing single page apps:
- React.js
Used for creating dynamic User Interface (UI) applications, React.js is more of a library than a framework. This JavaScript framework has seen rapid growth since its release in 2013. React.js is a highly preferred framework for developing enterprise applications. It is much more flexible as compared to Angular.js. Most of the time, it is used for the ‘View’ component when we talk about the MVC architecture. The ‘View’ component allows updating the UI without getting back to the server to acquire a new view. React.js is majorly used for developing views base on widgets and promotes one-way data binding in combination with Flux Controls. Moreover, the maintenance required for React.js is simple because of its component-based architecture. Server-side and client-side, both can use React.js.
- 2. Meteor.js
Meteor.js is a full-stack, open-source JavaScript framework which is built with Node.js. It builds reactive apps on Node.js platform rapidly. This framework uses data on wire where the server sends the data instead of HTML which is rendered by the client. Meteor.js enables developing different applications in a single language, i.e, JavaScript, using lesser codes. Globally renowned companies like Qualcomm, Honeywell, and Mazda, make use of Meteor.js. The framework offers live-browser reloading as well which means that whenever there are any changes happening on the frontend, Meteor.js reloads live pages by default. It is quite easy to set up Meteor.js while working on projects, and also promotes high scalability.
- Angular.js
Angular.js is one of the most widely used frameworks for developing single page applications. It is a JavaScript-based, frontend, open-source framework that was developed by Google. Some of the popular users of AngularJS are PayPal, Google, and Microsoft.
Angular.js can transfer the entire content to the browser from the server directly, loading all the pages at one time. Once the pages are loaded, they do not reload after clicking upon the link. Instead of this, the sections that are within the page are immediately updated. This framework enables fast loading of web pages because the load on the server is less. This framework’s two-way data binding feature lightens the burden of writing innumerable codes.
Further, AngularJS works on the MVC architecture as well.
- Backbone.js
Released in 2010, Backbone.js is a JavaScript library which is known for its flexibility and lightness, mainly for structured codes. This framework is free and open source and is based on MVP architecture. Backbone.js offers various tools in order to achieve client-side app integration. The client-side mobile and web apps could be developed in an organized format with the help of Backbone.js. The clientele of Backbone.js includes big names like SoundCloud, Airbnb, and Sony Entertainment Network.
- Ember.js
Ember.js is an open-source framework which follows a widget-based approach known as the Ember components. The templates that include Handlebars undergo automatic updates with the use of minimal coding whenever there is any change in the data. LinkedIn, Netflix, Microsoft, and Live are some of the popular users of Ember.js. A desktop app, Apple Music, too, uses this framework. Furthermore, Ember.js follows the Convention over Configuration (CoC) model and works on the MVVM pattern. This framework’s data library is super resourceful.
We witness many frameworks enter the market every now and then with unique architecture but only a few manage to stick around. Each framework has a different purpose. Some are suited for certain types of apps and some are adjustable enough to handle anything. It is highly advised to research thoroughly before selecting the appropriate framework.
