Advantages and disadvantages of JavaScript Full Stack Development

There is a deeply held belief that the only constant thing is change. Well, we wouldn't argue otherwise. Especially change is inherent in technology. The world is getting smarter every day with new technologies and innovations. For people, there is no other way but to learn how to interact closely with the high-tech world. Business, too, has to get more and more technologically confident as long as it's online. Scale up or die. This is not just a marketing trick, this is reality.

For business growth, advanced and high-tech tools are needed. Typically, big businesses can create websites and applications on their own. However, as it has been proven time and again, it is better to hire dedicated experts for this purpose. And it is not just about saving time or money. Today’s users are quite demanding.

They have a wide range of companies and websites to interact with while choosing the best one. To be chosen, your web solution must meet future customers’ needs. It should not only sell but also inform, entertain and help. After all, people should like it. Such a versatile website could be created thanks to full-stack development.

But what about full-stack JavaScript development? Let’s check it out.

What is full-stack JavaScript development

Any technological stack implies a set of functions and technologies that are necessary for software product development. These include libraries, frameworks, servers, databases, etc. The software product, in turn, consists of two large parts: the front-end and the back-end.

The front-end is the client side, it is visible to users when they load the page. The back-end is the server side. It includes all the processes that take place on the server side and are invisible to users, but the result of which allows interacting with the site.

The combination of front-end and back-end development results in a full-stack development. Thus, full-fledged JavaScript development is the development of a website or application using the JavaScript programming language for both the back-end and the front-end.

The experts involved are well-versed in many programs that are needed to create a powerful website (JavaScript, HTML, PHP, CSS, etc.). They interact with graphics and animation to make the site dynamic and create a good user experience (UX) or improve it. As a result, the full-stack JavaScript development brings unique code that can be created and reused in the future without having to recreate it.

And yet, let’s take a closer look at what exactly the benefits of JavaScript development are.

Pros of full-stack JavaScript development

When talking about full-stack development, its versatility must be kept in mind. And that's why.

Multi-skilled experts

The same full-stack JS developer can quickly switch between back-end and front-end. There is no need for an additional specialist, which could be a designer or a programmer. All technical difficulties can be solved by one person.

Improved teamwork

The work in unity is equally important for any industry. Software development is no exception. When developers are good at both back-end and front-end, the risk of misunderstandings between colleagues is reduced.

Open-source technology

All technologies are accessible, free of charge, and suitable for tasks of any complexity.

Great application performance

Since full-stack JavaScript development uses Node.js, this allows for high-performance applications. The point is that Node.js is a framework (what JS frameworks and their advantages are, is taken up later in the text), which provides fast code execution and allows you to create asynchronous applications. The multiple processes can be run simultaneously without interfering with each other and users.

This is the technology giants' choice

JavaScript programming is chosen by such well-known market participants as Google, Facebook, Netflix. It's unlikely they'd prefer to use bad technology in their projects, is it not?

The latest in software technology

The full-stack developers are widely qualified professionals. They keep a close eye on trends to keep abreast of issues they are involved in. Obviously, these experts bring new ideas and approaches to the projects they work with.

Deep understanding of any working issue

It’s not just about solving problems. With a deep understanding of technology, developers resolve major problems, addressing not only their consequences but also the causes, preventing the reappearance of such complexity.

Saving time and money

All the above advantages refer to saving time and money. It is believed that a quality product cannot be cheap. When working with full-stack programmers, you don't have to worry about finding a front-end specialist and a back-end specialist separately. Even a single full-stack JavaScript developer can cover all these issues.

Cons of full-stack JavaScript development

Despite the many advantages, there are also some disadvantages of full-stack JavaScript development. Let’s take a look at them.

It’s not the best solution for heavy computing

JS frameworks are best used to develop advanced applications. And at the same time, this is not the technology to be chosen for complex computing applications. Incoming requests may be blocked due to the computing process, which makes it difficult for the application to run smoothly. However, if you are not going to create such solutions, you can safely ignore this shortcoming.

There may be delays

Since full-stack JavaScript development involves heavy data processing, the application may slow down. But that was spot-on back then. Today, there are ways to remedy these problems such as dividing the computational process into stages, creating child processes, etc.

All-in-one drawbacks

Full-stack JavaScript development combines several technologies at once, as well as all their disadvantages. Of course, all these issues are resolved as technology evolves.

Small-sized database

Full-stack development has been a relatively young technology as well as its database so far. The situation is changing through its use by leading companies.

Despite some disadvantages, the advantages of a full-stack JavaScript engineering are much more eloquent. With all its pros and cons, it can be used to build a high-performance and dynamic application. Given the open-source code, it can be assumed that this technology stack makes the whole development process cost-effective as well.

What is JavaScript?

According to Wikipedia, there are about 700 programming languages. However, the popularity of professional JavaScript for web developers continues to grow compared to other programming languages. Today JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.

World-famous websites such as Google, YouTube, Facebook, Baidu, and many others were developed using JavaScript. Now you know which programming language is best for developing something like this.

And yet the question "What exactly is JavaScript engineering used for?" remains open. The answer is especially important if you are not a developer, but a customer who is curious about the benefits of this programming language. We will do our best to answer.

Let's start with the fact that JavaScript and Java have nothing in common (perhaps you thought they had). The similarity of names is related to the marketing goals of making the new language easily recognizable and memorable.

JavaScript is a lightweight scripting language with which dynamic, interactive elements can be added to website pages. It is the basis of front-end web development as well as HTML and CSS. It can also be used to manipulate, validate, and calculate data.

To see the big picture, we need to see where it all started:

• The first version of JavaScript appeared in 1995. Netscape developed it to support the Navigator browser. The new programming language had to be associated with Java, excluding any other programming language.
• It took many years before JavaScript was taken seriously as a back-end language.
• At the same time, it thrived on the front-end and was generally accepted as the standard programming language of the web. Gradually, JavaScript was accepted by all browsers, including Google Chrome and Firefox.
• Another important step towards recognizing JavaScript as one of the most popular programming languages is ECMA standardization. It has brought the language to a wider audience.
• As a user of JavaScript, Microsoft has been empowered to contribute to the language.

At that time, the goal was to come up with something similar to Java, taking advantage of its burst of popularity. The result is a language that satisfies different audiences such as component writers, enterprise-level professionals, scripters, and designers.

Still, it is good that JavaScript for web development was not initially widely accepted in the Internet community. At that time, there were some of its quirks that could have prevented its rapid development. However, its strengths also manifested themselves in the beginning and are still considered a strong case for JavaScript.

Let's see what this programming language is used for.

Where professional JavaScript is utilized

With the help of this language, many projects of different complexity can be built. Some examples of using JavaScript can be found here.

Among the most visited websites are the following: Facebook, Gmail, Twitter. In the case of Facebook, JavaScript is responsible for status updates and other user actions. To be more precise, such large projects have already created their own frameworks for building custom web applications.

What other platforms are developed using JavaScript:

• Netflix (streaming service);
• Trello (task management system);
• PayPal (online payment system);
• LinkedIn (social networking site for a job search);
• Walmart (online store);
• Uber (taxi booking application);
• E-bay - (eCommerce platform).

Pros and cons of JavaScript

Despite other programming languages for the browser, visionary teams choose professional JavaScript for web developers. Why is that?

Advantages of JavaScript development

Unlike static language (C, C++), dynamic programming language, which is JavaScript, is designed to optimize programmers' performance; the required functionality can be implemented faster with less code.

This is what the pros of JavaScript programming language look like:

• It is supported by most browsers;
• Easy to learn and widely used;
• Compatible with other programming languages such as Java, PHP, .NET, Ruby, or Python;
• It works fast because no compilation is required;
• It is regularly updated through the ECMA specification;
• The code runs in the browser, which makes the server less loaded;
• By the way, without JavaScript, the whole Internet can fall apart.

Why choose JavaScript?

Interactivity

Beginning as a language that adds interactivity to the interface, JavaScript now allows you to create the most attractive UX ever, taking animation to the next level.

Responsive web design

Behind any responsive web design is JavaScript. Today's browsers are placing increasing demands on websites, which means that your project must meet these demands. By combining JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3, it is possible to achieve such high standards.

The frameworks

JavaScript is easy to learn and just as fast to use, thanks to its simple and flexible syntax. JavaScript also makes it easy to develop complex applications using multiple frameworks and off-the-shelf solutions. This means that your project can be completed on time and you get an up-to-date product.

JavaScript community

JavaScript is an extremely and widely-used programming language. Obviously, popularity does not mean quality, but in the case of JavaScript, there is one important thing. Any complex issue that arises in the development process can be solved within the popular developer community.

API

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) can be used for these purposes:

• Get data for your website from other sources;
• Ensure modularity, i.e. combine different tools to perform the required tasks (e.g. you can add a shopping cart to your site using JavaScript).

What else a website created with JavaScript can get:

• Drop-down menu;
• Animated page elements;
• Audio and video playback;
• New content uploading without having to refresh the page, and much more.

How do you know now how useful JavaScript is? When entering any word as a search request, a list of suggestions (words, phrases) offered by Google appears.

This is how Google's Autocomplete feature and JavaScript works:

• Users entering their requests;
• The letters and the whole sentences are getting read and sent to a server;
• The answers are immediately displayed on the client side.

There is no need to reload the page. Such programs are heavy and complex, but on the client’s side, JavaScript is surprisingly lightweight, which does not slow down the user interaction with the computer.

Disadvantages of JavaScript development

Based on all the above, it can be thoughtlessly assumed that JavaScript is an almost ideal programming language. And that would be fair if it weren't for some flaws of JavaScript.

SEO issues

It is not clear enough how web crawlers interact with JavaScript. There may be some problems with SEO and you need to be aware of those. And yet, it's not a problem. Using special ways to work with JavaScript will help make sites more visible to search engines.

Too much JavaScript

There could be too much JavaScript in your project. It should be used only when it's really needed. Otherwise, the over-reliance on JavaScript will lead to lower performance.

The risk of replacing custom-tailored solutions with one-size-fits-all ones

JavaScript contains thousands of packages that can be used to quickly solve any problem without reinventing the wheel. However, such an approach is not a golden rule at all. To get a high-quality software product, it is better not to rely completely on ready-made source code.

Other disadvantages of Javascript:

• No copy or equivalent method;
• Only a single inheritance;
• Users can disable JavaScript in browsers for fear of data leaks or other malicious actions it may cause;
• JavaScript may be interpreted differently by browsers.

Now it's time to see what can be made with JavaScript.

What software solutions can be built using JavaScript?

A lot of things can be created with this language and even more. The main areas of the JS application are listed below.

Websites

In this case, it is used to add dynamics and interactivity. JavaScript supports external applications (PDF documents, running widgets, flash applications) and can upload content to the document if needed.

Web-based presentation

It is possible to create a web-based presentation like a website. JavaScript uses libraries such as BespokeJS and RevealJS to create a web platform for slides. As a result, even non-tech-savvy experts can create impressive modern presentations. These presentations are touch-optimized and easy-to-use. Syntax highlighting for code samples, animated bullet lists, and responsive scaling are available. To start working on the presentation, a plugin and template should be chosen.

Web applications

As a reliable programming language, JavaScript is widely used to create web applications that greatly simplify the user experience. Just think of the fact that when using Google Maps, all the necessary information is available with just one click. This is possible by using JavaScript with an API to extract additional code features.

Servers

The Node.js framework has changed the way JavaScript is used. It is now suitable for building servers. Servers based on Node.js are fast, there is no buffering and no transfer of data pieces.

Smartwatches and mobile applications

JavaScript is also used to create mobile applications. Now you do not need to worry about hiring additional specialists. The full stack JavaScript developers will cope with this task.

Using JavaScript can also make mobile applications more and more productive. Examples include Progressive web apps (PWA) and features such as offline navigation. They combine the best of both mobile and web applications, providing high engagement, reliability, and performance. With React Native, you can create cross-platform mobile applications, making it easy to deploy apps of any complexity.

Machine Learning, IoT, and robots

A JavaScript environment can be used to encode robots. For example, the IoT platform and robots (including flying robots) use the Johnny-Five framework, the Cylon JS framework is for the Robotics kit, and Brain JS - for Neural Nets.

Online games

Any programming language can be utilized for game development. However, with JavaScript, browser-based games are of particularly high quality.

Online art

With HTML5 in JavaScript, it is much easier to draw graphics online. Browsers have become a new space for digital art, as it is convenient to draw 3D objects. Actually, each user can create new art without being limited by rules and frameworks.

What are JavaScript frameworks?

We've talked a lot about frameworks before. Let's take a closer look at this issue.

The framework is a ready-made solution for website development. They are often compared to real bricks - a similar principle of use is applied, namely, to create a large structure using small ready-made elements. Indeed, why reinvent the wheel and create code from scratch when ready-made code solutions have existed for a long time?

The total number of JS frameworks is about 24, the key ones are as follows:

• AngularJS;
• ReactJS;
• VueJS.

The questions to be asked when selecting a framework:

• What is the framework for? What option will be implemented?
• How easy-to-use is the framework?
• What is the budget?
• Which browsers are you interested in?
• How supportive is the framework community?
• Is it possible to increase productivity of developers working on your projects with its help?
• Is it possible to reuse the code?

You will get a better idea of which framework to use in your project once you receive the technical documentation and understand what your future product should be like.

How does a full-stack JavaScript development with so-called MEAN work?

The word MEAN is an acronym for JS tools such as:

• MongoDB;
• Express.JS;
• AngularJS;
• Node.js.

The AngularJS framework is used for front-end development. It ensures that the information on the page is updated without reloading it. The result is reduced site bandwidth, improved web page performance, and user interface.

MongoDB is a NoSQL database program that uses the JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format. This means that the objects in the database are the same as those visible to the JavaScript client.

The Express.js framework consists of a set of functions, utilities, and methods to create an API.

One of the most important elements of full-stack JavaScript development is Node.js. After its appearance, it became possible to implement the full JavaScript development process. Node.js is a JavaScript environment that allows JavaScript code to be executed outside the web browser. This allows dynamic elements of the web page to appear in the back-end before sending the page to the browser.

Now let's find out why JavaScript programming language is worth using, how technology giants benefit from it, and why you should do the same.

Advantages of JS frameworks

JavaScript frameworks have evolved over the years, allowing developers to create functional data-driven applications. Frameworks are valuable for their ability to call and use already written code without having to program from scratch. This reduces the workload for professionals and increases their productivity, making applications and platforms highly interactive.

Other benefits of frameworks:

• Frameworks implement components and modularity of JavaScript, resulting in clean code;
• They eliminate unnecessary DOM (Document Object Model) management code and thus allow developers to focus on the main tasks without extra work;
• Frameworks solve problems separating the client and server sides by creating two separate applications for back-end and front-end development, which simplifies source code handling;
• JS frameworks are ideal for creating single page web applications (SPA). This is how Google Maps, Gmail, Facebook works.
• They have improved compatibility with browsers and continue to provide high flexibility when working with JavaScript.

However, the main feature of JS frameworks is that they provide fast, productive, and time-saving operation, which is crucial when it comes to large projects.

Your benefits of using JS-based frameworks

How do you know that the above-mentioned advantages of JavaScript frameworks have a positive impact on your project? These are some signs that JavaScript is likely to do a good job:

• Your software solution is highly interactive;
• Users access contents in just a few clicks;
• Asynchronous data loading with formatting option is available;
• Data can be split up for reuse.

Bottom Line

JavaScript is a powerful front-end language. For a long time, sites ran on PHP-based CMSs, such as WordPress. Most of the logic is processed here on the server-side code. Today, dynamic sites are back, but they look different. Such sites have more interactive elements or can be completely dynamic. It is supposed that logic here is processed on the client side. This is also done with the help of JavaScript.

To realize how common JavaScript is and how significant it is, try turning it off. You'd be surprised how difficult it is to get the same rich client experience you are used to without JavaScript.

JavaScript is everywhere:

• The current Internet is impossible without it.
• Without JavaScript, there is no responsive design.
• Without this programming language, there would be no search engines, online stores, content management systems, social networks, and mobile applications.

JavaScript development will also enrich your project if you aim to get an interactive and scalable website.

You should know that a significant part of the DDI Development company is highly qualified specialists in the subject area. Our specialists are not only good at JavaScript, but also are skilled in automation testing and know how to solve the tasks quickly and competently. Some of them have a better understanding of the client side of the project, others are well-versed on the server side. This allows them to focus on preferred areas, becoming experts in a highly specialized niche. They are therefore expected to be more effective in performing tasks in which they are particularly good.

How we make use of full-stack JavaScript development:

• Interaction is much more transparent;
• There's no disagreement - everyone is equally well-versed in all aspects of development;
• The software development life cycle is shortened;
• Work is more flexible and done on time.

Using the same programming language for back-end and front-end development is a beneficial time-cost trade-off.

Want to discuss project development? Let us know so that we can answer your questions and help you build an efficient web application.