JavaScript Trends: What’s New in 2024?

JavaScript is a scripting language used mainly for web development. It enables you to create dynamic content that needs frequent updates, animate images, and more. Since HTML and CSS are used to structure and design the website’s layout, JavaScript adds functionality to the pages.

JavaScript in web development

JavaScript can be used for client-side and server-side applications. Popular JavaScript frameworks used widely are React.Js, Angular.Js, Vue.Js, and Node.Js.

“JavaScript is one of the most popular languages for web development, and its usage is expected to grow in the coming years.” - Source

Typescript: On the Rise

Microsoft released Typescript in 2012. It is a superset of JavaScript. It supports objects that JavaScript couldn’t, so it’s rising. A developer can create complex types by combining the existing ones. Motley, unions, or generics are used for this application. Quality code can be generated by resolving programming errors as soon as they occur because TypeScript highlights them immediately during compilation.

TypeScript in action

React: Still the King

React is still the king of the web development journey. If you don’t know, React is a JavaScript library mainly used for UI development. The library was created in 2013 and has been widely used by developers. Here are reasons why React is believed to be the king in the development industry:

• React can easily create dynamic applications. Since it requires fewer lines of code, which gives more functionality, it is easier to use than JavaScript.
• React improves performance by using virtual DOMs instead of real ones. Virtual DOMs update the components only when changes are made in the code, whereas real ones update the components repeatedly, thus taking longer.
• React offers reusable components for development. Since components are essential parts of code and are frequently required, they have their functionality and logic behind them. So, react makes it easier by reducing the applications’ development time.
• In React, data flows unidirectionally. Often, code is developed in a nested manner, with a parent container consisting of a child container. So when compilation takes place, it follows a single direction, which makes it easier to spot errors and debug them later.
• React offers dedicated tools for easier debugging. Facebook provides a Chrome web extension for debugging React applications.

React in action

Node.js: Demanding More

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows the server-side application to run and execute JavaScript code. It provides additional features like network communication, file system access, and asynchronous I/O operations, which extend the capabilities of JavaScript code. Scalable and high-performance applications can be developed using a Node.js runtime environment.

Several reasons why we use Node.js to host JavaScript applications are listed below:

• It runs quickly because it is built on Chrome’s V8 extension, reducing execution time.
• Better synchronization is provided on both the client-side and server-side code bases, reducing the loading time of audio and video files.
• Node.js is a JavaScript framework. Thus, those used to JavaScript can switch to Node.js easily and with the least effort.
• Node.js provides bundles in the node.js package manager. Developers can upload any package according to their requirements. More than 50,000 bundles are provided, which saves a lot of time.

Node.js in action

Vue: Growing Up

Vue.js was developed in 2014 by Evan You (a former Google employee). Since its launch, it has gained popularity. So, Vue is a JavaScript framework that helps create user interfaces. Developers can quickly develop applications regardless of how easy or difficult they are because of their approaches. It provides a declarative and component-based programming approach.

Reasons why Vue is growing its usage among developers are listed below:

• Coding is simple in Vue, which makes it perfect for use.
• Built-in and user-defined directives are available in the framework
• Users can design the user interface with much more flexibility.
• Offers components that enable the creation of unique elements that can be reused throughout HTML.
• VueJs offers a progressive framework. A progressive framework has a base model attached to it. Whenever upgrades happen, the base model returns to its original form.

Vue.js in action

Angular: Getting Better

More than half of the developers use Angular. It is believed to be useful for large and complex applications. It is easier for experienced developers than for beginners. Built upon Microsoft’s TypeScript, it uses directives and components as its architecture. Faster than Angular JS, it becomes easier to maintain large-scale applications. Top companies like IBM, freelancer.com, Upwork, and Forbes have built their websites using Angular. Some of the advantages of using angular are listed below:

• It enables the customization of components. Users can build their components with their logic and functionality.
• Data binding is possible with Angular. Data can be moved from JavaScript code to view; users don’t have to write code manually.
• Angular facilitates testing with tools that allow you to test every part of the code.
• Angular applications are compatible across multiple platforms and browsers.

Angular in action

Jamstack: Serving More

Jamstack is an architecture for building apps and websites. It is not a framework. The modern web development architecture JAM stands for JavaScript, APIs, and markup. Now, it consists of many libraries and methods. Some advantages of using Jamstack are:

• Assets and markup are delivered through CDN (Content Delivery Network)
• Instead of bulk code, jam stack enables the users to approach the code in microservices, which requires less maintenance.
• Server-side rendering mode can be used for highly dynamic websites., which generates content easily.

Jamstack in action

Conclusion

Staying abreast of JavaScript trends is crucial for developers looking to innovate and remain competitive in the ever-evolving tech landscape. One way to do this is by taking a comprehensive course, such as Full Stack Developer - MERN Stack. JavaScript plays a significant role in modern web development, influencing frameworks, libraries, new language features, and tools. By embracing these trends, developers can improve efficiency, scalability, and user experience, ensuring their applications meet current and future demands. Embracing these trends, adapting to changes, and leveraging the power of JavaScript can help drive projects forward in today’s dynamic digital world.