Full Stack JavaScript Development With MEAN

JavaScript technology has made great progress since its release in 1995. We have witnessed the rise of multiple major versions of the ECMAScript specification and the single-page web applications, all powered by the client JavaScript framework. Initially, all JavaScript development and innovation were done in the browser, because that was the only environment that supported the language. Over time, web developers have begun to realize that many of the most useful features of JavaScript (non-blocking, event-driven, languages ​​familiar to many) can be used in environments outside of the browser. This initiated the second round of innovation in the JavaScript community, resulting in JavaScript running on servers and databases.

Suddenly, understanding JavaScript doesn't automatically classify you as a "front-end web developer". If you are well versed in the language, you can build servers and databases in addition to the front-end user experience. Now, for the first time developers can build entire web applications using only JavaScript. This trend is often referred to as "full-stack JavaScript" or "pure JavaScript solutions". Building web applications in conjunction with four popular JavaScript technologies: MongoDB, Express, AngularJS, and Node.js has become so popular that it is called the "MEAN stack".

1. MongoDB – MongoDB is a so-called NoSQL database. It can be considered as a document database, rather than consisting of rows, columns, and tables. The main use case is storing JSON data; it is perfect for writing applications in JavaScript. It may lack in relational and strict adherence to patterns, but it makes up for the lack of speed, scalability and ease of use.
2. Express – Express is a streamlined web server framework designed to make building web servers easier and easier to maintain using Node. It is a form-free framework that provides developers with a high level of customizability, but "low-level" enough to access the underlying Node framework they build. Express provides easy-to-use request routers, cookie management, static file servers, and many other HTTP building blocks needed to create an enterprise-grade web server.
3. AngularJS – Angular is a feature-rich client MVC JavaScript framework. It can be used to create powerful and complex single-page web applications. It has built-in two-way data binding and its own HTML-based template language. It also has a feature called "directors" that allows you to extend HTML with new properties or even new elements. Angular is also highly testable, which may not be the most interesting aspect in development, but it is usually the most important and is often overlooked in client code. Finally, it provides conventions and best practices to help developers build client solutions.
4. Node – Node is a JavaScript runtime used to build servers and web applications. It provides all JavaScript features found in the browser, as well as additional features for file and network I/O. It uses Google's V8 engine (the same engine used in Google Chrome) to execute JavaScript. It also has a very active developer community and a Node module ecosystem (Express is such a module). While other server-side JavaScript implementations already exist, Node has been the most successful to date in terms of development and adoption by enthusiasts and large companies.

If you are a fan of JavaScript like me, you should be excited about the prospect of building an entire web application using only JavaScript. The MEAN stack is a very hot topic and there is a lot of information online about how to get started with it. In fact, there is so much information that the idea of ​​“beginning” seems a bit daunting.

This is why Colin Ihrig and I wrote a book for this. In the book, we discuss each of the four technologies that make up the MEAN stack. We cover the most important features of each technology that will help you get started quickly and increase productivity. However, explanation can only go so far. In addition to many code examples, we will also build a simple HR-style web application step by step throughout the book. You will learn a technique, look at some code examples, and then use the technique step by step to build a real system. At the end of this book, you will have a fully functional web application that you can use and extend by yourself based on the information in this book.

FAQs about full-stack JavaScript development using MEAN

Full stack What is the MEAN stack in JavaScript development?

MEAN stack is a collection of JavaScript-based technologies used to develop web applications. MEAN is the acronym for MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js. MongoDB is a NoSQL database, Express.js is a web application framework running on Node.js, AngularJS is a JavaScript MVC framework, and Node.js is an execution environment for event-driven server-side and web applications.

Why should I choose the MEAN stack for my web development project?

MEAN stack is a powerful, efficient and flexible choice for web development. It is entirely based on JavaScript, which means you can use the same language for server-side and client-side scripts. This can make your development process more simplified and efficient. Additionally, all technologies in the MEAN stack are open source and free to use, which helps reduce costs.

How does MongoDB work in the MEAN stack?

MongoDB is a database component of the MEAN stack. It is a NoSQL database, which means it can handle large amounts of data and is highly scalable. MongoDB stores data in binary JSON format, which makes it easy to pass data between clients and servers.

What role does Express.js play in the MEAN stack?

Express.js is a web application framework that runs on Node.js. It provides a simple interface to build web applications and APIs, and it handles a lot of boilerplate code that you would have to write yourself. This can make your development process faster and more efficient.

How does AngularJS integrate into the MEAN stack?

AngularJS is a JavaScript MVC framework for building web applications. It provides a structured approach to web application development with features such as bidirectional data binding and dependency injection that can make your code more efficient and manageable.

What role does Node.js play in the MEAN stack?

Node.js is an execution environment for event-driven server-side and web applications. It is built on the V8 JavaScript engine, which means it is very fast. Node.js is also non-blocking, which means it can handle many connections at the same time, making it an excellent choice for real-time applications.

How to get started with MEAN stack development?

There are many resources to help you get started with MEAN stack development. You can learn each technique first and then learn how they work together. There are many tutorials and guides online, as well as books and courses.

What are the prerequisites for learning a MEAN stack?

You should have a basic understanding of JavaScript before you start learning the MEAN stack. It is also helpful to understand the basics of web development, such as HTML and CSS.

Is there an alternative to the MEAN stack?

Yes, there are many alternatives to the MEAN stack. Some popular alternatives include the MERN stack (replace AngularJS with React), the MEVN stack (replace AngularJS with Vue.js), and the LAMP stack (using Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP).

What kind of application can I build with the MEAN stack?

MEAN stack is very universal and you can use it to build various applications. This includes single page applications, social network sites, real-time applications, e-commerce sites, and more.

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