Laravel Compatibility Analysis With React.js v/s Angular.js v/s Vue.js

Among many of our attributes that makes humans different from other animals is our ability to observe a specific change and adapt accordingly. It is solely this skill that has ensured that our species does not merely survive but thrive. Our race survives solar flares, natural disasters and even pandemics. This astonishing and straightforward attribute of the human mind has digitalised regular lifestyle and is now adapting every realm of life to it. Livelihood is elemental to lifestyle; hence the whole sphere of employment is digitally driven today. To make sure your business entity adapts and can benefit from this digital shift, you need to get a website ready for your business. It is intrinsic for any establishment to be seen, heard and accessible to make its mark in this highly cluttered and competitive world. Therefore website development is inevitably essential.

 

Just like the eyes are called the window to the soul, your website is the window to your business; thereupon it must be attractive, welcoming, accessible for one to explore, give sufficient knowledge or view of your entity, yet not wholly disclose your edge to the prying eyes of competitors and fail to entice customers further.

 

To develop such practical, efficient, and easy to maneuver websites, web development companies in UAE and beyond rely intensively on Laravel.

 

What is Laravel?

 

• Open-source PHP Framework

 

Laravel is an open-source PHP framework designed to make the process of developing an app easy and quicker through its built-in features. By being open-source, a community of people maintains Laravel; no company is building that framework but a community of enthusiastic and passionate people to make website development more manageable and accessible, contributing to the project. Hence, it is free to use for everyone and source code can be seen by anyone because it is hosted on a public platform, and anyone can download and use it for free.

 

• Laravel operates on PHP language

 

Lavarel is based on the PHP open-source programming language; hence a good grasp of the PHP coding language is needed for optimal use of Laravel.

 

• Laravel is backend

 

Laravel is a server-side PHP framework. Therefore, one can build full-stack applications, that is, apps that typically require a backend built like user accounts, exports, order management etc.

 

Features of Laravel

 

Lately, Laravel has garnered much reliance from web development companies in Dubai because of its user-friendly interface, a helpful community, ease of learning and other features like:-

 

(1) Dependency management – Its modular packaging system allows you to add functions to your app easily; therefore, you need not write them from scratch. Instead, you can make your packages for code; you use or install ready-to-use packages on Composer.

 

(2) Comprehensive authentication system

 

(3) Object-related mapping – Laravel has an elaborate ORM, which presents database tables in classes for easy access and alteration.

 

(4) Command-line interface- it comes with several pre-built commands, making it beginners friendly.

 

(5) Automated tests of the application and individual features

 

To develop an application or website, one has to couple backend frameworks with a front end framework since

 

(a) A Backend framework cannot create a User Interface (UI); therefore, a front-end framework is coupled with it to create the user interface of the application or website.

 

(b) A front-end framework cannot be solely used since the front-end code is publicly accessible; therefore, it does not protect sensitive information or operation. Hence, to ensure that user data is not shared on the browser and access to the public at large, a backend framework is required to complement the front-end framework.

 

(c) Backend frameworks can store the user data very well and connect with the database while front-end applications do not have any such attribute.

 

Front-end frameworks operating on Java Script are used for developing websites and mobile applications. In simple terms, JavaScript is a dynamic computer language. It is lightweight and most commonly used in creating web pages, whose implementations enable client-end script, through which one can interact with the users and make dynamic and diverse pages. Hence, it is majorly used with backend frameworks like Node. js and Laravel.

 

The most popular front-end frameworks used to develop web and applications are React.js, Angular.js, and Vue.js

 

React.js

 

It is presently the most popular front-end JavaScript library. It is used by several big companies like Netflix, Airbnb, Instagram, the New York Times and many more. It creates fast and interactive user interfaces for web and mobile applications. It is open-source, component-based and responsible for the application’s view layer. It is based on Model View Controller architecture, which determines how the app looks and feels.

 

React breaks the UI into several components, making the code easier to debug. Therefore each component then has its property and function.

 

Features of React.js

 

 

It is very critical to understand now what makes React.js more popular compared to other front-end libraries for web/mobile application development.

 

• Easy maneuver

 

Web application development is elementary with React since it needs less coding, offering more functionality.

 

• Advanced adaptation

 

Since React uses Virtual DOM, the web application is created at a faster pace. In addition, virtual DOM makes the development process quicker since it compares the component’s previous states and updates only the items that were changed. Thus, the Real DOM cuts short to updating all the components again, as traditional web applications do.

 

• Reusability of components

 

A single application has many components. Each component has independent logic and controls, which can be reused throughout the application, drastically shrinking the time taken to develop the application.

 

• Unidirectional flow of data

 

While building an application on React, developers nest child components within the parent components, making the information flow in a single direction. This makes debugging easier and identifying the root of the problem at the given moment.

 

• Easy to learn

 

React is convenient and easy to learn as it combines basic HTML and JavaScript concepts with some add on benefits.

 

• Builds both applications for the web as well as for mobile

 

While React is well recognized for developing web applications, React Native, also derived from React, builds impeccable mobile applications.

 

• Tools dedicated to debugging

 

Facebook recently launched a chrome extension for debugging Reach applications, making debugging React web applications more accessible and faster.

 

Advantages of React.js

 

(1) Easy to learn, easier to use 

 

React.js is packed with an immense pool of tutorials, documentation and training resources. Any developer who knows JavaScript can very well understand React.js and create web pages in a span of a few days, thanks to it being based on the MVC model.

 

(2) High-quality web applications created. 

 

React.js makes the work easier for someone who finds application development with HTML strings tricky because of its complex coding. React.js offers less coding and more functionalities by using the JavaScript Extension (JSX). In addition, it is a syntax that allows HTML quotes and HTML tag syntax to render a particular sub-component, further supporting machine-readable codes.

 

(3) Reusable Components 

 

Since React.js builds applications broken into multiple components. Each component has its logic and controls; each component is responsible for outputting a tiny, reusable piece of HTML code that can be reused wherever needed. This makes the all-over process of application light and easy. In addition, the components can be nested with other components to allow complex applications built from simple building blocks.

 

(4) Enhanced Performance 

 

React.js operates on virtual DOM, a cross-platform and programming API that deals with HTML, XML or XHTML. React.js also solves the problem that users faced with DOM, which slowed down the application’s performance by introducing virtual DOM. This Virtual DOM exists entirely in memory and is a simulation of the browser’s DOM. So basically, when we write a React component, we are not directly writing it to the DOM; instead, we will be writing virtual components that React.js Will turn into the DOM, resulting in smoother and faster performance.

 

(5) Handy tools 

 

React.js Encumbers a set of handy tools, which make the work of the developer easier and time-effective. All the React.js tools have been constructed as Chrome and Firefox development extensions which allow inspection of React.js It further allows selecting particular components and examining and editing their current props and state.

 

(6) SEO friendly  

 

It is observed that traditional JavaScript frameworks have an issue in dealing with SEO. In turn, search engines generally have trouble reading heavily loaded JavaScript applications, and many web developers have had this complaint. React.js resolves this issue by navigating developers on each search engine. This is possible because React.js applications can very well run on the server, and the virtual DOM renders and returns to the browser as a regular web page.

 

(7) JavaScript Library

 

One of the main reasons why React.js It is widely preferred is because of its rich JavaScript library, which provides flexibility to the developers, letting them choose the way they want.

 

(8) Scope for testing the codes

 

React.js built applications are easy to test as they offer the developer opportunity to test and debug the codes with native tools.

 

Disadvantages of React.js

 

(i) Rapid development 

 

React.js comparatively has a very high pace of advancement, which has its pros and cons. Now, as rapid and improvising it is, developers must always be on their toes and be aware of the rapid changes. Sometimes, developers don’t wish to learn new things all the time, and being in tandem with the ever-changing technology tires them. Therefore they are unable to adapt to it, and the whole experience of application development becomes discomforting.

 

(ii) Poor documentation 

 

Another con of technology evolving quickly is that documentation can not keep up with the change. React.js suffers from the same problem. Its technology is accelerating at such a high pace that it leaves no time for proper documentation. However, developers are trying to solve this issue by writing instructions independently with new tools and releases.

 

(iii) JSX 

 

React.js uses JSX, which is an extension that allows HTML to mix with JavaScript. This feature has mixed reviews, with some appreciating it and others critiquing its complexity in the learning curve and difficulty understanding, especially for new developers.

 

General observation

 

It can be pretty drawn that React.js has many exciting features, and it serves those developers the best who are updated with its rapid build-up and likes to be on the edge of advancement.

 

Angular.js

 

Started initially as a project by Google in 2012, it is now an open-source framework and supports Google’s most significant applications. However, since it entirely operates on HTML and JavaScript, developers need to delve into another syntax or coding language. Furthermore, it changes static HTML to dynamic HTML; that is to say, it extends the ability of HTML by adding built-in attributes in addition to the ability to customize attributes using simple JavaScript.

 

Features of Angular.js

 

 

At this point, we need to know what features Angular.js provides which make it different from other front-end frameworks.

 

(a) MVC Framework

 

In general terms, MVC is a software design pattern for building web applications. It functions as:

 

Model – It is the first level of the build-up which is responsible for maintaining data. It is similar to previous data types like booleans, numbers, strings, or objects. It is the most straightforward script and has no other contender for the said job.

 

View – It shows specific portions of the data to the user. The data is presented in a format triggered by the controller’s action.

 

Controller – It controls the interaction between the Model and View. It strictly responds to the user input and interacts with the data model objects. The controller, when once receives the input, validates it and only then conducts the operations.

 

With this, Angular makes it easy to build a separate user interface. So even if MVC elements are created separately, one can combine all the attributes easily without writing any extra code for the same purpose.

 

(b) User Interface built on HTML

 

HTML is a declarative language, has shorter tags and is extremely easy to understand; therefore, the interface built is organised, smooth and structured.

 

Seldom it becomes complex to develop, organise and reorganise the JavaScript Interfaces. So HTML interfaces regulate the implementation of the application. Therefore instead of understanding the program flow and loading, one can define what they want and Angular.js Will sculpt the dependencies.

 

(c) POJO Model 

 

There is no need to add additional getter and setter elements to bind Angular.js along with additional data sources since Angular.js uses Plain Old JavaScript objects. Furthermore, the POJO model also provides well-planned and articulated objects, so designers have to create loops of objects and arrays with the necessary properties, adjust and then reframe them.

 

The well planned and quick application of the POJO model makes Angular.js self-sufficient and easy to use.

 

(d) Google’s active community

 

When you are a web application developer, you look for community support, primarily an independent web developer. Angular.js has a strong and thriving community backing it because Google maintains it. Furthermore, it is released under the MIT license and is also available on GitHub. Therefore, if you ever get stuck anywhere or face any maintenance or coding issue, multiple forums are easily accessible to help you with your queries. The community is very much interactive, sharing ideas and suggestions.

 

(e) Routing 

 

In layman’s terms, routing means the transition from one view to another. This is a crucial aspect of single-page applications where everything comes in one page since developers do not wish to redirect the users to a new page every time they click on the menu or sub-menu bar. Instead, they wish the content to load on the same page with only the URL changing.

 

With Angular.js, this becomes an effortless task, and you can design various views for various URLs and load the appropriate view on the main page for a particular URL request.

 

(f) Two-way Binding 

 

Data binding in simple terms means automatic syncing of data between the view and the model. For example, the view shows the HTML while the model indicates the JavaScript variables. Angular.js makes it exceptionally easy for you to build a template that can bind different components with different models, so whenever the value of any HTML or view component differs, the bound model value also gets updated.

 

Let’s understand it like this, if the input text value is changed, the bound model will also change and be updated accordingly. Thus, to control the altering data, there isn’t any need to programme a separate set of callback functions. With two-way data binding offered by Angular.js the applications’ presentation layer becomes simple, resulting in a cleaner UI and much-improved appeal; in furtherance, complicated data manipulations and calculations can be done quickly.

 

Advantages of Angular.js 

 

(1) Easy to learn 

 

Anyone with knowledge of HTML, JavaScript and CSS can quickly learn Angular.js There are great tutorials and forums to make one learn this Angular.js Framework online. If you are well versed with the basics, you can develop applications fast and comfortably.

 

(2) Two- way binding feature

 

Angular.js also allows for immediate sync between the view and the model. If any data is changed in the model, it automatically reflects the same on view, and if any changes are made in the view data, the model is revised accordingly. This simplifies the application’s presentation layer and allows a more straightforward approach to DOM display to construct the UI.

 

(3) Supports SPA features 

 

A Single Page Application feature makes the website transition fast. The website looks and functions like a native app. The website will communicate with the web browser by replacing the existing web page with new Web server data instead of the browser’s default way of loading the new pages altogether. Angular.js supports the Single Page Application feature, which makes the page load quickly, and it works on every platform, providing excellent user experience and easy maintenance.

 

(4) Declarative UI

 

Since Angular.js uses HTML to create templates, a declarative language and is well known for its scalability and intuitiveness. Adopting a declarative language has its share of benefits since it is more understandable and easy to manipulate. Moreover, it makes the developers and designers work together. While developers use declarative binding syntax to connect the various UI components with data models, the designers can create the UI.

 

(5) Google support 

 

Google’s trust in Angular.js makes it more credible since Google’s highly skilled team of engineers keep coming up with new improvements in the framework. In addition to that, Angular.js has a rich community base to support and help anyone who gets stuck anywhere with the framework.

 

(6) Optimal web application management 

 

Since Angular.js operates on Model, View, Controller (MVC) model, the codes are connected automatically. The model component maintains and manages the application data. The view component displays all data or certain portions of the data to the users. Finally, the controller component controls the relationship between model and view. This makes the management of the UI part of the application and its database easier for the developers.

 

(7) Powerful framework 

 

Angular.js It is popular among developers, especially young ones, because of its features, like MVC pattern, directives, dependency injection, accessible tutorials and community base, free availability, and lastly, Google backing.

 

(8) Real-time Testing 

 

Angular.js provides a feature to test; that is, through dependency injection, one can oversee how the components of their web application are generated. In addition to that, the testing features also help resolve dependencies; therefore, developers can test their applications and check for errors at the primary stage. Therefore web application developers do not have to depend on any third-party software to support their applications making Angular.js an efficient and cost-effective choice.

 

Disadvantages of Angular.js 

 

(i) JavaScript support necessary 

 

Angular.js is the JavaScript framework; meanwhile, JavaScript access to many computers and laptops come disabled. Hence, such users cannot access websites built by Angular.js But that is the case only with old computers and laptops, and you will seldom come across them.

 

(ii) Difficult features 

 

Features such as directives, dependency injections, and factories can be challenging to use, especially for amateur developers. At such a juncture, one has to invest time in understanding each feature. Moreover, from an investors point of view, they have to look intensively for someone who is experienced working on Angular.js

 

(iii) Inexperience with MVC

 

Developers unfamiliar with the MVC model might face difficulty using Angular.js since it requires experience, and learning it first hand and building the project simultaneously might delay the development.

 

(iv) Time-consuming

 

Traditional systems and browsers are often incapable of sustaining overload and performing tasks like DOM manipulation. And it takes a lot of time for newbie developers to learn this framework.

 

(v) Difficult to learn

 

Angular.js has limited documentation, which hampers the learning process for new developers; however, it has a great community to seek help from.

 

Scopes

 

Debugging the scope is an observably tricky task for amateur developers who are new to the framework.

 

General observation

 

One must have good experience and proficient knowledge with Angular.js framework before taking a project in hand since it is comparatively not so beginners friendly, especially those who prefer standard documentation to community learning.

 

Vue.js

 

Finally, Vue js is the most popular and versatile front-end framework in the list of front-end frameworks. It is a progressive framework for JavaScipt, building web interfaces and one-page applications, even for desktop and mobile application development with Electron framework. What makes Vue different is that it is designed to be incrementally integrated; that is, if you have an existing front-end application already, you don’t need to redo everything. Instead, you can make a new part in Vue.js and quickly integrate it with the rest. It is also the most straightforward front-end framework to pick up, making it very attractive for backend web developers. Within a few hours of reading and doing some tests, one is evident with the basics and can continue with front-end build-up.

 

Features of Vue.js

 

 

Thanks to its power and versatility, Vue.js appeals to a large audience base with its features like:

 

(1) Introduces modern JavaScript practices 

 

At this point, we must understand that JavaScript is an ever-evolving ecosystem and has some twists and turns. Its collection of tools grows old every two years, and it adds complexities to the websites on its own. Afterwhich installing a framework and a massive stack of Node packages worsens the situation. That’s why people prefer to stick with the basics like HTML, which is fine, CSS, which has its share of struggles, and JavaScript, which too has its bits of complications. They are all solid but continually change and evolve at a slow and steady pace. Many frameworks then end up adding changes that will break one’s code. Few scripts like jQuery and Handlebars are designed to improve this chaos and make front-end programmers’ work more accessible. jQuery is well suited to only simple coding as it starts spiralling when the code base gets too complicated. Handlebars are nice but do not do anything intensive to make JavaScript easier to use. Vue.js Therefore, it does a great deal of work in replacing both of these tools and gives solutions where they lag without completely taking over the website. It introduces modern JavaScript practises without modern JavaScript complications.

 

(2) Apt for rapid prototyping 

 

Vue is a lightweight framework with all the functions of its contemporaries that are heavier frameworks. Experienced front-end web developers can learn Vue.js very quickly, and if you aren’t experienced, you can start by using only as much as you need. Vue.js provides tools that make the process of development faster and easier. A progressive web application ultimately depends on programmatic navigation, custom layout and structure that alters on the fly. Vue.js makes this challenge non-existent. Since Vue is so lightweight and easy to work with, one can finish prototypes in hours or days instead of weeks and months.

 

(3) Web application development 

 

Vue.js has taken a fair idea from all its competitors and benefits from all the modern front-end frameworks, like string replacement for HTML, component-based architecture, tooling and more. It allows data binding; that is, the data and DOM are coupled and susceptible to changes. It also has virtual DOM like and organisation by a component like React.js Therefore one can divide their application into several sub-components that manage their own life and are reusable.

 

(4) Native mobile app development 

 

Web application developers who wish to make their application available on mobile generally have to hire extra developers to build a variant of the application, each for iOS and Android and then find a way to draw coordination between the three platforms. Now one can use NativeScript to build mobile applications, which allows them to build for both Android and iOS using the same JavaScript code. Moreover, native script developers can now even port their web code to mobile without hiring new developers, and it is easily compatible with Vue.

 

Advantages of Vue.js 

 

(a) Small size 

 

This description is as tiny as Vue itself. The downloaded framework, inclusive of the framework, weighs only 18 KB. Being a featherweight, the framework is easy to download and install the library, and in addition to that, it also improves the appeal of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and User Experience (UX).

 

(b) Virtual DOM-based

 

As we have understood, the Document Object Model (DOM) represents HTML pages with their styles, elements and page content as objects, which is stored in a tree structure and is generated by a browser when loading a page. When the user interacts with a particular page, the objects change their state so that the browser has to update the information and show the same on the screen. However, as it has been sufficiently established that updating the whole DOM is cumbersome. Therefore Vue.js Operates on virtual DOM, which means it is a copy of the original DOM that is smart enough to figure out what elements to update rather than updating the whole DOM, improving the application’s performance and quick.

 

(c) Simple

 

In addition to having a simple, developers who have previously worked with JavaScript can swiftly grasp it. Its components can be deployed easily since they are aggregated HTML and JavaScript features. Its clarity is helpful for most developers looking forward to upscale string template syntax, minimising errors within the code simultaneously. It is ready and running with a single script tag.

 

(d) Documentation 

 

Vue.js has been intensively and extensively documented. The video courses’ core library is astonishingly well versed, and the focus on the view layer makes it easier for an individual to understand the concept and include them. Any developer who has decent knowledge of HTML and JavaScript and goes thoroughly through Vue.js The document object model can quickly develop the application.

 

(e) Reactivity system  

 

Vue js reactivity system is what makes it stand out in the crowd of front-end frameworks. Its integration with HTML and JavaScript makes the data binding between the frameworks very straightforward. Vue.js can also support a two-way reactive data-bind operation and therefore is perfect for web applications that require real-time updates.

 

(f) Component-based architecture 

 

Vue components are concise elements of your application interface and can be written in HTML, CSS and JavaScript without dividing them into separate files. This architectural approach and component system has the following benefits-

 

Code readability – since the components of Vue are individually stored in separate files; it makes it easier for one to access a particular section of the code and fix it in case of any bugs.

 

Great for unit testing – this component structure simplifies unit testing substantially. It is based on the idea of how the smallest part of an application works on its own.

(g) Flexibility

 

Since Vue has got the best of both the worlds React js and Angular js, it allows writing templates using HTML, JavaScript and even JSX. Moreover, Vue.js can be integrated into any project with its lightweight coding and component-based structure. Hence, one can design an application taking an approach and structure that one feels comfortable with.

 

Disadvantages of Vue.js 

 

(i) Reactivity system prone to making mistakes

 

Vue.js App consists of components that a user interacts with, where each component has its watcher that delivers the data each time a user triggers the component. Then the reactivity system redelivers only those pieces of data that were triggered. The problem here is that the reactivity system is not that smart; hence it is susceptible to making mistakes in data reading; therefore, the data has to be flattened.

 

(ii) Constraint of support for large-scale projects  

 

Since Vue.js is still a young framework compared to more mature frameworks like Angular and React, it does not get much financial backing from large enterprises. However, recently IBM and Adobe have shown interest in it. However, its community and development team size is still incomparable so that the issues can be resolved swiftly. Therefore, it is still formerly used in small projects.

 

(iii) Risk over flexibility 

 

Flexibility is seldom a controversial subject matter when it comes to large scale projects. However, there is scope for different ideas and programming approaches running in one development team, leading to inconsistent working software.

 

(iv) Inadequacy of experienced developers 

 

Vue.js is a brooding technology that just has started gaining popularity recently. But we will have to wait for some years until it gets adopted by the labour market filled with experienced Vue.js developers.

 

Now that we have compared these three popular front-end technologies and broken down each framework based on advantages, limitations, framework features and syntax, we can reasonably draw which one works best with Laravel.

 

General observation

 

Although Vue is comparatively new in the front-end framework market, it has React.js and Angular.js It is still the lightest and most customisable framework, making it a good option for building dynamic web pages and applications.

 

Laravel’s compatibility with React.js, Angular.js and Vue.js

 

One can use Laravel + React.js and Laravel + Angular js as per their preference. However, one will have to use Laravel and React or Angular as separate projects. In such instances, Laravel will serve as the API, while React or Angular will serve as a Single Page Application project to record logins and data.

 

On a comparative analysis, Laravel integrates the best with Vue.js from creating Vue components that can be used similar to regular HTML tags inside the blade file, and also allows passing props to the element from the output made when the blade file renders.

 

Laravel is best compatible with Vue.js

 

Even though Laravel and Vue.js both originate from different programming languages, Vue.js surprisingly supports Laravel in multiple ways like:

 

(1) Creates an excellent event-driven app

 

Vue.js supports building a full-scale application that has all the activity completely handled on the front-end. Furthermore, it offers various composable components to be used as per individual needs as an attractive add-on. Furthermore, since it works so well with Laravel, it needs minimal effort to request the data from one’s Laravel application and make the necessary UI changes by switching components without necessarily reloading the page.

 

(2) Everything gets done on the front-end. 

 

Using full-stack development with Laravel Vue js ensures everything happens on the front-end, and users wouldn’t be required to reload the page. Every application is built by Laravel Vue.js gives seamless experience, much like an application installed on computers.

 

(3) Builds optimal complex front-end pages 

 

Let us understand this conceptually when one has to build an application with parts that need frequent updates, the front-end has to be constructed entirely on JavaScript, but the challenge is with plain JavaScript or another library of JavaScript, without virtual DOM is that you experience numerous performance glitches in tandem to the volume of data or the frequency of updates. However, when composing an application with Vue.js components’ dependencies can be tracked automatically during its render, so the system knows which components need updates when there is a data change, improving the application’s efficiency. Furthermore, Vue is also compatible with Redux and Flux, which are great for managing data flow in complex applications.

 

(4) Simple to learn, easy to use 

 

One primary reason to use Laravel Vue.js Full-stack development is how easy it is to comprehend and use. Furthermore, it allows one to make a simple application with plain JavaScript that remains valid in Vue.