How to try new things, the right way

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Not too long ago we needed a new way in our business to manage some repetitive and complicated tasks which can only be done by a database or backend developer. And what better way to not repeat something every 2 months than to spend weeks on building an application for it?

No no, that’s not what we did. But I did have 2 days with slightly less on my plate, so it was the perfect chance to try out VueJS.

Because we want to be certain the option we go for is the best one, we need to try and compare said things. How do you measure two competing technologies, frameworks, methodologies etc.?

Timebox it!

Depending on your own circumstances, choose a period of time of a few hours or even days (or more?). You need a quick plan on what you want to do.

Try each of those technologies (or what ever it is) and see how far you get. That has the added benefit of showing you how quick and easy it is to learn or if the documentation is right and complete.

My experience

I needed to compare VueJS and see how quickly I can become productive with it, versus Angular.

I decided to give it 2 hours maximum for each and my plan was to simply send an Oauth login request.

If successful, save the token, then call an API to get a list of objects. Then I would display said list.

Sounds easy enough!

My experience at that point with VueJS was practically 0, while I had used Angular quite a lot.

Conclusion

I discovered that VueJS is superbly documented, there is a helpful community and it’s easy enough for a beginner to actually do something useful on day 1.

I also discovered that Angular is complicated and unpleasant to work with. Something I already knew 🙂

They are both good frameworks and this technique worked for me: I decided to use VueJS in the future (and I have) and to reduce my reliance on Angular. With less than 2 hours spent I was confident of a new framework, while not having wasted weeks on the wrong technology just because I read about it on a blog (the irony…).

What will you try next?

VueJS, Angular, React? What should I use?

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Alright, alright!

Yes, there are so many posts about these 3 frameworks that you want to roll your eyes.

I searched and read about each of those, made trial projects, read comparisons and opinions, read about pros and cons and so on.

And yes, I did not find the answer I was looking for!

So, we’re talking about eye rolling: well, don’t do it just yet, cause we’re doing it better. Where everyone says “your mileage may vary” and there “isn’t an easy answer”, we say: yes, there is an easy answer. In fact, there are many easy answers.

Because you’re reading this, I will assume you already know what these frameworks are, but a very short summary is welcome:

Angular

And we’re talking Angular (not AngularJS). This framework started in 2009 which is really lovely. Has too many features built in (why do I need everything including the kitchen sink for every project again?).

The latest version has lots of cool features, new RXJS and new syntax (yey!).

Pros

  • Great documentation (which is the length of a long novel).
  • Two way data binding (which is a con if you ask my colleague). I’m undecided.
  • Modular.
  • Backed by Google who don’t really use it in their projects (much). How about eating your own dog food?

Cons

  • Too big.
  • Complex syntax.
  • Two way data binding?

ReactJS

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It is maintained by Facebook and a community of individual developers and companies. React can be used as a base in the development of single-page or mobile applications. (thanks Wikipedia)

So the good parts

  • Really flexible, you can do what you want with it.
  • Downward data binding.
  • Light weight.
  • Easy migration.

And the bad parts

  • Really flexible, meaning it’s easy to make mistakes.
  • Little documentation, meaning it’s difficult to keep track of changes and do things the right way. If there is one.
  • Not easy to learn.

 

And last but not least

VueJS

Vue.js is an open-source JavaScript framework for building user interfaces and single-page applications.

Pretty much the same thing as the other two, but this one is not backed by a very large company.

Pros

  • Takes the best of both Angular and React.
  • Very good and detailed documentation.
  • Easy to learn and quick to get productive with.
  • Very small (20KB).

Cons

  • Not a very large market share. Although, Github stars are plenty.
  • Not backed by a company (although there is a large community behind it).

Phew, that summary is not very short.
Alright then, enough stalling, here are answers and questions (send yours, we’ll add them to the list)

I am a developer and am looking to make sure my skills are relevant.
Well then, React is the most sought after(70-80% of jobs for front-end mention it), followed by Angular. So if you want to find a job easy, there’s your answer.

I despise large companies who don’t pay their fair share of taxes and abuse their power.
Well then, use VueJS.

I want to rip my hair out because of two-way binding which causes a lot of issues and bugs.
Don’t use Angular.

I want to use a framework that’s quick and easy to learn.
Try VueJS.

I’m part of a very large team.
The decision is already made, isn’t it?

I have no clue what I should try.
Try them all or email us with questions

You get where this is going? There are answers for all questions. If you want to use one and not the other, do it! Don’t spend weeks analyzing things in too much depth. Jump in the deep end. You will quickly find out if that framework does not agree with you.

PS: We’re not saying don’t do research and spend your investors’ money trying out things.