VueJS, commonly called Vue, is an open-source JavaScript framework developers use to build interactive web interfaces.
Vue.js mainly focuses on the view layer of the application, which means it helps you handle how things look and feel for the users. The best part is that you can easily integrate Vue.js into big projects without running into any problems.
They even call it a “progressive” framework because it allows for incremental adoption, so you can gradually introduce it into your existing projects without any major headaches. So, if you’re working on a big front-end development project, Vue.js can seamlessly integrate into it and make your life a whole lot easier.
A Brief History of Vue.js
If you use Vue.js, you may be curious about its history.
It started with Evan You, a former employee at Google, back in 2014. Evan had experience working with another popular JavaScript framework called AngularJS, but he felt that it needed to be simplified and made more accessible to certain developers. So, he set out to create Vue, a framework that would be lightweight, easy to learn, and adaptable.
The first version of Vue was released in February 2014 and quickly gained traction among developers. They appreciated its simple syntax, clear documentation, and overall user-friendliness. As time went on, Vue continued to grow in popularity and became one of the leading front-end frameworks alongside React and Angular.
What Is Vue.js Used For?
Vue is a JavaScript framework that is primarily used for UI development of websites and single-page applications (SPAs). Its progressive design makes it easier and more enjoyable to create user interfaces.
Vue’s main feature is its ability to connect the Document Object Model (DOM) to the view instance, which creates the Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) architecture. This enables the development of interactive web pages and Single Page Applications (SPAs) that perform complex operations without reloading the browser.
With the DOM and MVVM connected, particular sections of a web page can be rendered and updated without affecting the entire page. This makes it possible to create interactive elements, like real-time chats that update with new messages or advanced animated Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) that work entirely within a web browser.
Additionally, Vue’s core library easily integrates with other libraries and projects, focusing solely on the view layer, making it simple to learn. Ideal for both beginners and those with JavaScript framework experience, Vue helps create dynamic web interfaces effortlessly.
Features Available with Vue.js
Developers maximize vue features to create amazing single-page applications (SPAs) and user interfaces.
Vue offers the following built-in features to make coding easier and faster:
Virtual DOM
Like other frameworks, VueJS utilizes virtual DOM to optimize user interface changes. Rather than directly altering the DOM, a JavaScript replica of the DOM is created, and changes are made to this structure before it is compared to the original. This process is less expensive and allows for faster updates to the user interface.
Data binding
With Vue, the data binding feature enables the manipulation and assignment of values to HTML attributes, as well as the ability to define and change styles and assign classes. This is accomplished using the v-bind directive, which is available within VueJS.
Components
Vue has a significant feature called components, which enable the creation of custom elements that can be reused in standard HTML.
Vue router
One of the built-in features of Vue is the Vue router. This allows developers to navigate between pages with ease.
Directives
VueJS provides several built-in directives, like v-if, v-else, v-show, v-on, v-bind, and v-model, that enable performing different actions on the front end.
HTML-based templates
Vue offers HTML templates that connect the DOM with the Vue instance data, and these templates are compiled into virtual DOM render functions. For example, the user must substitute the template with the render function to use the render function.
The Pros of Using Vue.js
Vue has several advantages over other Javascript frameworks. If you’re planning to use Vue for your project, here are some of the benefits you’ll get:
Easy to learn and use
The goal of Vue is to make developers’ lives easier by writing fewer lines of code and still getting awesome results. And you know what? You don’t have to be a coding genius to understand it!
All you need is some basic knowledge of basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Plus, even popular code editors like Atom and Sublime Text have got your back with Vue support, so using this framework becomes a breeze.
Lightweight and performance-optimized
Vue is designed to be lightweight, which means it doesn’t impose unnecessary overhead on your application. At just 21 KBs package size, it takes less time to download than a blink of an eye.
Vue JS also prioritizes performance optimization, which is seen in Vue components. These are independent, reusable pieces of code that encapsulate the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript necessary to render a part of the user interface and can be easily updated without affecting the rest of the application.
Active and collaborative community
The online VueJS community is simply amazing when it comes to providing help and support. Since Vue is not backed by a giant company like Facebook or Google and has a crowdfunding model, it has garnered a dedicated following of enthusiasts.
Numerous helpful guides and active Reddit and Discord channels are available. You can count on finding users who can answer your questions and assist you.
Wide official libraries
Once you’ve set up the basics in Vue, you’ll likely want additional functionality, which is where the framework’s official libraries come in. Your primary concerns will likely be routing and state management.
Routing directs HTTP requests to the appropriate code that handles them, while state management involves controlling UI components like text fields and buttons from one state to another.
For routing and state management, Vue Router and Vuex are Vue’s go-to libraries.
Virtual DOM performance and rendering
Vue utilizes interesting components, such as virtual DOM, to enhance performance and rendering. When using declarative rendering, the DOM comes into play, representing the HTML pages as a tree structure of objects that store styles, content, and system elements. During page loading, the browser generates and updates these objects to reflect changes made by the developer.
However, updating the entire DOM can be cumbersome. To address this, Vue.js employs a virtual DOM, which is a copy of the original DOM. This allows for efficient changes to be made without rendering the entire DOM, reducing the number of manipulations required by Vue. This leads to faster mobile app development, improved performance, and quicker DOM operations.
Two-way data binding
Vue JS adopted the two-way data binding feature from its predecessor, Angular. This functionality establishes a link between the model data updates and the user interface view, simplifying the process of updating related app components and tracking data changes.
VueJS automatically updates the bound data as the corresponding DOM objects change in real time. This reactivity feature streamlines the data updating process, making it more concise and significantly easier to manage.
For your next Javascript project, give Vue a try, and you won’t regret it. With its ease of use, lightweight structure, active community, and impressive array of features, Vue.js can meet all your development needs.
The Cons of Using Vue.js
Vue.js does have some limitations, depending on the complexity of your project. To know if it’s the right fit for you, here are some possible drawbacks to consider:
Lack of significant funding
Since Vue is community-funded and developed without major backing, it may lack sufficient support for seamless adaptation to large-scale projects. The technology might not be as stable or strongly supported as other frameworks like React or Angular, which are backed by big companies that can provide immediate fixes for issues.
Vue is developing more tools but still lags behind React and Angular. However, it is expected that Vue will eventually bridge the gap and expand its tooling options.
Less experienced developers
Due to its relatively shorter time in the market compared to its competitors, Vue took some time to establish itself and gain widespread acceptance among programmers. However, despite its growing popularity, there are still some concerns in the market. One notable concern is the scarcity of inexperienced Vue coding experts, which can make it less appealing for developers to utilize Vue JS in their projects.
How To Hire the Right Vue.js Developer?
Don’t be discouraged by the lack of Vue.js developers. There are still plenty of great coders out there who understand how to work with the framework. When looking for the perfect fit, consider these tips:
Expertise with other JavaScript libraries and frameworks
React and Angular are some of the most popular JavaScript libraries and frameworks, so look for a Vue.js developer who is also familiar with these technologies. This helps ensure a smooth transition and makes it easier to understand design principles across multiple levels.
Experience working on similar projects
Ideally, you should find a developer with experience doing several projects using Vue.js, as this will give them an understanding of the complete development lifecycle and the challenges associated with it.
Up-to-date with the latest Vue versions and trends
Vue releases new features and updates frequently. A great Vue developer will stay on top of the latest developments and be able to use them to create more efficient solutions for you.
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