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If you are a web developer, then you have probably heard of both the MEAN stack and the MERN stack. But which one should you choose? Both of these stacks have their pros and cons, but which one should you choose for your project? And why?
The MEAN stack is made up of MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and Node.js. The MERN stack is made up of MongoDB, ReactJS, React Router, and Node.js.
Let’s take a closer look at the MEAN stack and MERN stack to see how they compare!
What is MEAN Stack Development?
The MEAN stack is a popular web development stack made up of MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and Node.js.
MongoDB is a powerful document-oriented database system. ExpressJS is a fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js. AngularJS is a JavaScript framework that lets you create dynamic web apps. And Node.js is an asynchronous event-driven JavaScript runtime.
All of these technologies work together to provide an end-to-end solution for web development. The MEAN stack is used to develop both server-side and client-side applications.
Advantages of MEAN Stack Development
There are many advantages to using the MEAN stack for web development.
One advantage is that all of the technologies in the MEAN stack are JavaScript-based. This means that developers only need to know one programming language to work with the MEAN stack.
- Open Source Components: Another advantage of the MEAN stack is that all of its components are open source. This means that developers can use the MEAN stack without having to pay for any licenses.
- Scalability: The MEAN stack is also very scalable. MongoDB, Node.js, and AngularJS are all designed to scale horizontally. This means that you can add more hardware resources as your needs grow.
- Performance: The MEAN stack and MERN stack is also known for its performance. Node.js is a fast runtime environment and MongoDB is a fast database system. Together, these two technologies provide excellent performance for web applications.
- Simple Solution: The MEAN stack is also a simple solution. It provides everything you need to develop a web application in one easy-to-use package.
- Effortless Swapping Between Client and Server: The MEAN stack makes it easy to swap between client and server code. This is because all of the technologies in the MEAN stack use JavaScript. For example, you can use AngularJS on the client-side and Node.js on the server-side.
- MVC Support: The MEAN stack also has built-in support for the Model View Controller (MVC) architecture. This makes it easy to develop MVC applications with the MEAN stack.
- Time-Saving: The MEAN stack can also save you time. This is because all of the technologies in the MEAN stack work well together. For example, MongoDB and AngularJS play nicely together. This means that you can avoid having to write a lot of code to get these two technologies to work together.
- JavaScript Object Notation: The MEAN stack also uses JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). JSON is a popular data format that enables exchange of data between the client and server.
- Reusable Code: The MEAN stack also allows you to reuse code. For example, you can use the same code on the client-side and server-side. This means that you can avoid having to write duplicate code for your web applications.
- Flexibility: The MEAN stack is also very flexible. This is because all of the technologies in the MEAN stack are modular. This means that you can pick and choose which components you want to use for your project.
- Community Support: The MEAN stack has excellent community support. There are many resources available to help you learn and use the MEAN stack.
- Compatible with Cloud: The MEAN stack is also compatible with the cloud. This means that you can deploy your MEAN stack applications to the cloud. For example, you can use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host your MEAN stack application.
Disadvantages of MEAN Stack Development
While the MEAN stack has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to using it.
- Not feasible for large-scale applications: The MEAN stack is not well-suited for large-scale applications because all of the technologies in the MEAN stack are JavaScript-based. This means that the application will be slow and difficult to scale.
- Requires knowledge of multiple technologies: The MEAN stack also requires you to have knowledge of multiple technologies. For example, you need to know MongoDB, Node.js, and AngularJS to use the MEAN stack.
- Lack of documentation: The MEAN stack also has a lack of documentation. This can make it difficult for developers to learn and use the MEAN stack.
- Not suitable for beginners: The MEAN stack is also not suitable for beginners. This is because the MEAN stack requires you to have knowledge of multiple technologies. If you are a beginner, it is better to choose a different stack.
- Heavy Load Scenario: Since the MEAN stack is JavaScript-based, it can not handle heavy load scenarios very well. This means that your application will be slow and difficult to scale. Moreover, this could also lead to the potential loss of records written by MongoDB.
- No JavaScript Guidelines for Coding: There are no particular established guidelines for coding in JavaScript. This could lead to potential errors in your code.
What is MERN Stack Development?
MERN stack development is a web development stack that uses MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js.
The MERN stack is similar to the MEAN stack, but it uses React instead of AngularJS.
React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces and create reusable UI components. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that allows you to run JavaScript on the server-side. Express.js is a web framework that helps you develop web applications quickly and easily. MongoDB is a document-oriented database that stores data in JSON-like format.
Advantages of MERN Stack Development
MERN stack development has many advantages over other web development stacks.
- Full Stack Development: MERN stack development allows you to develop both the front-end and back-end of a web application using JavaScript. For example, you can use React to develop the front-end and Node.js to develop the back-end.
- One Language: MERN stack development also allows you to use one language for both the front-end and back-end of a web application. This means that you only need to learn one language to be able to develop a complete web application.
- Rapid Development: MERN stack development also enables rapid development because all of the technologies in the MERN stack are JavaScript-based. This means that you can develop a web application quickly and easily.
- Ease of Use: MERN stack development is also easy to use. This is because the MERN stack uses MongoDB, which is a document-oriented database. This means that you can store data in JSON-like format.
- Community Support: MERN stack development also has excellent community support. There are many resources available to help you learn and use the MERN stack.
- Free Templates Available Online: MERN stack development also has many free templates available online. This means that you can quickly and easily develop a web application using the MERN stack.
Disadvantages of MERN Stack Development
MERN stack development also has some disadvantages.
- Limited Scalability: MERN stack development is limited in terms of scalability because all of the technologies in the MERN stack are JavaScript-based. This means that the application will be slow and difficult to scale.
- Productivity: MERN stack development can also be less productive. This is because the MERN stack uses React instead of AngularJS. React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. This means that you need to have knowledge of both HTML and CSS to use React.
- Security Issues: MERN stack development also has potential security issues because all of the technologies in the MERN stack are JavaScript-based. This means that your application will be vulnerable to attack by hackers.
- Error Prevention: MERN stack development can also be less error-preventive because there are no particular established guidelines for coding in JavaScript. This could lead to potential errors in your code.
MERN Stack and MEAN Stack: Which One to Choose?
MERN stack development and MEAN stack development are both excellent choices for web development. However, there are some differences between the two that you should be aware of before you decide which one to use.
MERN stack development is a better choice if you want to develop the front-end and back-end of a web application using JavaScript. This is because MERN stack development allows you to use one language for both the front-end and back-end of a web application.
MEAN stack development is a better choice if you want to develop the back-end of a web application using Node.js. This is because MEAN stack development uses MongoDB, which is a document-oriented database. This means that you can store data in JSON-like format.
Both MERN stack development and MEAN stack development have their advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you to decide which one is best for your particular needs. Whichever one you choose, you will be able to develop a complete web application using either the MERN stack or the MEAN stack. Always make sure you choose the right MEAN and MERN developer for the best results.