JavaScript remains the most widely used programming language among developers worldwide. It is imperative to pay special attention to the frontend when developing a web application; the user's satisfying interaction with the programming of a final product depends on how the code for this type of development is handled.
Frameworks are the best tool for speeding up the efficient writing of code in JavaScript and other languages. To save time and improve code quality, it is crucial to have pre-written code modules, component templates, standardized blocks, and other elements at hand.
For programming novices, high-caliber bootcamps such as the one offered by 4Geeks Academy are recommended; it certifies its students as programmers in 4 months, prepares them for job interviews, and also helps them land jobs like the ones offered at Talent Tech for software developers through TECLA, giving them access to job opportunities where they can put their knowledge into practice at companies looking for new talent to work in the USA and Canada.
For those looking to complete their full-stack profile, mastering the frontend must go hand in hand with robust backend technologies such as Node.js, the runtime environment that allows you to use JavaScript on the server, creating powerful synergies between both layers of web development.
What are the best frontend frameworks that any professional developer can use when starting a project?
React, the most popular among programmers
Advantages of React.js:
- It is open source.
- It helps save time by reusing components.
- The DOM functionality favors the developer's work and the end user's experience.
- It is focused on the user interface.
- It can be combined with many other JavaScript libraries.
In a recent Statista report, it is shown that a little over 40% of developers use React worldwide. It is considered one of the easiest frameworks to learn, has an extensive support community, and is quite lightweight. It has been used in the development of the websites of Facebook (the company where it was created), Netflix, Asana, Khan Academy, Airbnb, and Reddit.
React's main feature is a virtual DOM (Document Object Model), which enables its superlative performance. Thanks to this React framework functionality, you can work with a large number of blocks (navigation sections, buttons, etc.) that respond to different states, such as active/inactive. In addition, React uses JSX, which allows developers to write HTML snippets inside JavaScript files.
In December 2024, the Meta team released React 19, incorporating the experimental Compiler, improved async hooks, and the Transitions API to manage loading states in a more granular way. According to the official React Blog, this version reduces the need for manual memoization in 80% of common use cases. "React 19 represents a leap in developer experience, eliminating unnecessary complexities without sacrificing performance," notes the project's official documentation.
Angular, testable, reusable, and easy to control
Advantages of Angular:
- Component-based architecture.
- Powerful server performance.
- Angular Material library with reusable UI components.
- The debugging process is less laborious thanks to its instant error detection system.
- It has a large community of developers.
Angular is the evolution of AngularJS. It was introduced by Google in 2016, is based on TypeScript, and is an open source framework. Its main feature is two-way data binding, which synchronizes what is observed in the model being worked on and the view. Any change in one will automatically be reflected in the other. It also has a hierarchical dependency feature, which allows the code components to be testable, reusable, and easy to control.
Given its status as a full-fledged framework, Angular can be used to build large-scale enterprise applications. Apart from popular Google products such as Gmail and the Play Store, other websites built with Angular are PayPal, Upwork, and The Guardian.
The release of Angular 19 in November 2024 brought the new incremental compiler and hydration improvements that reduce initial load time by up to 30% in complex enterprise applications, according to data from the Angular Blog.
Vue.js, versatile, small, and useful for various tasks when creating applications
Advantages of Vue.js:
- It offers reusable code and simple integration.
- There is extensive documentation about the framework.
- It supports two-way data binding.
- It has a positive effect on SEO.
- It makes use of JSX to easily import and manage custom components.
According to a GitHub study, Vue.js was the third most popular framework of 2021. It was created by developer Evan You as an open source JavaScript framework. It is versatile, small, and can help with various tasks in web application creation. It is a component-based framework and offers a virtual DOM for state changes and updates. Likewise, it has an extensive suite of tools, such as resources for end-to-end testing, systems for plugin installation, a server-side renderer, etc.
It is used to develop websites, mobile applications, and progressive web applications with simplicity and flexibility. Although it doesn't reach the numbers of frameworks like Angular or React, Vue.js is used by companies such as Alibaba, Reuters, and Xiaomi.
Throughout 2024, Vue 3.5 consolidated improvements in the reactivity system with the use of optimized Proxies and new APIs for managing asynchronous states, maintaining the gentle learning curve that characterizes this framework, according to Vue.js News.
Svelte, considered one of the fastest frameworks in existence
Advantages of Svelte:
- Component-based architecture with minimal code.
- Scalable framework.
- It allows you to create HTML, CSS, and TypeScript and combine them in JavaScript.
- Since it doesn't demand resources, the application loads faster.
- It converts the code into Vanilla JavaScript.
More than a framework or library, Svelte is a compiler. It was introduced in 2016 and since then it has gained progressive popularity among developers around the world. In fact, in the latest State of JavaScript survey, Svelte ranks second in the usage satisfaction criterion and first in interest. It is considered one of the fastest frameworks in existence and is quite lightweight for frontend development. It makes it easier for programmers to do their work using less code than in other frameworks.
Unlike the previous ones, it doesn't have a virtual DOM and, instead, promotes modularity in the coding process. These modularity principles allow grouping different components and isolating the template, the logic, and the view. This way, all variables can be accessed from the markup, making it easy to navigate the entire development environment. Among the websites that use Svelte are The New York Times, 1Password, GoDaddy, Chess, among others.
In October 2024, Svelte 5 introduced the "Runes" system, a complete rewrite of the reactivity engine that allows expressing complex dependencies with explicit and predictable syntax. According to the State of JavaScript 2024, Svelte holds first place in developer satisfaction with a 95% positive retention rate. Rich Harris, creator of the framework, states that "Runes eliminate hidden magic and make reactive behavior explicit, making debugging easier in large applications."
jQuery: Minimalist and Versatile
Advantages of jQuery:
- It's compatible with the most popular browsers.
- It has an extensive variety of plugins.
- The DOM is flexible for adding or removing components.
- It simplifies dynamic content.
- It's optimized for SEO.
jQuery is one of the first frontend frameworks. It was released in 2006 and has become a classic reference in the entire web application and software development ecosystem. In one of the latest Stack Overflow surveys, it was recognized as the second most used frontend framework by professional developers, reaching 34.52% of preferences.
Programming work in jQuery tends to be minimalist and versatile. In fact, handling user events, such as clicks or key presses, requires minimal code snippets that are easy to manage and integrate anywhere in the JavaScript logic. In the latest stage of its development, specifically with jQuery Mobile, it's possible to create mobile applications with the jQuery framework.
Although jQuery 3.7.1 continues to receive security patches as of August 2023, its adoption in new projects has dropped below 15% among professional developers according to the latest 2024 Stack Overflow survey, consolidating mainly in legacy system maintenance.
There's no framework that's best for every case. Using one or the other will depend on the project's characteristics. In fact, sometimes it's even more suitable to write code without using a JavaScript framework.
A programmer never stops learning, which is why belonging to communities like TECLA, full of the best backend and frontend development professionals in Latin America, allows programmers to stay up to date with new technologies. And for those looking for a way to start a career in programming, it's important to do so through a bootcamp that can prepare them in 4 months, like 4Geeks Academy does, where they can acquire all the tools they need to become a successful Full-Stack Developer.
If you're deciding where to start, you can compare 4Geeks' programs and see which one best fits your starting point and the time you have available.