Web developers have the choice of multiple technology stacks for web development, with MERN and MEAN stacks among the more frequently employed ones.
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Though similar in features, each provides unique benefits that make them best suited to specific project types.
It would help if you were well-informed about the benefits and drawbacks of each Stack before choosing one for a web development project.
This article will examine the components, usability, scalability, and performance features of MERN and MEAN stacks.
MEAN and MERN stacks are frequently employed when developing web apps. Their primary distinction lies in their choice of front-end framework; MEAN uses Angular for user interface development, while MERN prefers ReactJS for smaller apps.
While one Stack may be better than other depending on factors like project complexity and timelines, finding one that meets your business requirements depends on many variables - not least which technology stack will best help your organization thrive.
Suppose you need help deciding which Stack to use. In that case, a thorough comparison of MERN and MEAN can help you make an informed decision that will meet your business requirements.
The MEAN Stack: What Is It?
A well-known web development technology stack for creating scalable and dynamic web applications is called MEAN stack.
MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, Node is the acronym for these elements, forming the foundation of the MEAN.js development technology stack.
Benefits Of The MEAN Stack:
The following are the benefits of MEAN stack in web development:
- Full-stack development: MEAN stack provides a full-stack web development solution, enabling web developers to construct front-end and back-end components with just one technology stack.
- JavaScript-based: MEAN stack applications are built using JavaScript, making development more straightforward by employing one single language across its life cycle.
- Scalability: MEAN stack solutions are highly scalable due to Node.js and MongoDB ability to scale dynamically.
- Flexibility: Express.js and MongoDB offer flexible data models that greatly simplify the process of designing web applications, and Express.js' middleware architecture provides great flexibility in developing these applications.
MEAN Stack's Drawbacks:
- Learning curve: Learning all four components of the MEAN stack can be challenging for developers new to web development.
- Performance: Node.js has long been considered one of the fastest and most efficient programs available, making it ideal for applications requiring low CPU utilization; however, there might be better choices for CPU-intensive processing tasks.
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Community support: Although a well-established community of MEAN stack developers is well-established, its usage may be less widespread.
Web designers and developers alike tend to have more support for other well-known web development stacks like LAMP or Ruby on Rails.
- Security: To ensure the safety of its application, MEAN stack might need extra security measures like authorization and authentication.
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The MERN Stack: What Is It?
Like the MEAN stack, the MERN stack is an open-source technology stack built on JavaScript to create full-stack Java web applications.
The term "MERN" designates a collection of technologies used in this Stack, including Node.js, React.js, MongoDB and Express.js.
Collectively, these technologies make up the MERN stack technology.
MERN stack applications utilize React as the front end. At the same time, Node.js and Express.js are the back end, and MongoDB is their data repository.
An additional difference between MEAN and MERN Stack is that MERN is often seen as a substitute for MEAN, wherein Angular.js is replaced with React.js.
Also Read: Code Confusion? MEAN vs. MERN - Picking the Perfect Stack
Benefits Of The MERN Stack:
- Single Language: Because only JavaScript was used in constructing the MERN stack, developers can more easily transition between front-end and back-end programming.
- High Performance: The MERN stack offers better performance and scalability by utilizing Node.js for server-side programming.
- Large Community: With a large and vibrant developer community, MERN stack offers its developers access to a wealth of information, guides, and support.
- Modular Architecture: Because of the modular architecture used by the MERN stack, developers can quickly and easily reuse code and components while significantly reducing development times and effort.
The Drawbacks Of The MERN Stack
- Steep Learning Curve: Learning the MERN stack can be difficult for inexperienced users who may need to become more familiar with some or all of the technologies involved.
- Security Concerns: As with any web application, security issues with the MERN stack are possible, so it's a good idea to put appropriate defenses in place in case of an attack.
What Separates MEAN From MERN Stack
Let's delve into some parameters to comprehend better the difference between MEAN and MERN stacks in depth.
MEAN Vs MERN Stack Learning Curve
MEAN stack employs Angular.JS as its front-end framework, which has a more challenging learning curve than React.JS used by the MERN stack.
However, larger projects may find using Angular.JS more difficult due to its pre-installed features and configuration complexity; React.JS, by comparison, offers a more straightforward learning curve and is more versatile for scaling large projects more smoothly.
MEAN Vs MERN Stack Architecture
MEAN stack applications utilize an MVC architecture, which separates applications into three parts - model (data), view (user interface), and controller (logic).
This separation makes maintaining and altering the codebase much simpler. MERN stack, however, goes beyond being strictly an MVC/MVVM architecture; instead, it enacts three-tier architecture by having client-side view layer responsibility while the server side controls the Model and Controller layers.
A three-tier architecture aims to increase an application's scalability, maintainability and flexibility by delegating responsibility across separate layers.
Suppose the interfaces between them continue to be compatible. Each layer can be developed, tested, and maintained independently without affecting the others.
MEAN Vs MERN Stack Productivity
The MEAN stack gives developers access to prebuilt modules and features they can use right away when creating web apps, speeding up and simplifying the application-building process.
MERN, on the other hand, offers more customization but requires more setup; developers can select the tools that best suit their needs and use them accordingly.
MEAN Vs MERN Stack Third-Party Support
The MEAN stack has been around longer and boasts a larger community of developers than the MERN stack. Therefore, third-party support, such as resources, plugins, and libraries, is more significant.
MEAN is still famous, though its usage is growing alongside an ever-increasing community developing tools and plugins specifically for it.
MEAN Vs MERN Stack Features
With its extensive collection of modules and features, the MEAN stack offers built-in support for functionalities like routing, testing, and validation, allowing developers to create complex apps more quickly.
More flexibility and customization are possible with the MERN stack; developers can choose the tools that best suit their needs and configure them to scale even the most complex apps.
MEAN Vs MERN Stack Security
Both MEAN and MERN stacks provide user authentication, authorization, and encryption features for applications. MEAN has had more time to establish best practices around security with its larger community of developers working on related issues; additionally, there's built-in support for security features, which makes implementing them simpler than with MERN's greater customization and flexibility options, allowing more control of how security features work for specific apps; on the other hand, MERN gives developers more power but requires them to take extra precaution to secure them properly.
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Which Stack Is Better, The MEAN Or The MERN?
No particular stack can claim to be superior; both MEAN and MERN stacks offer their own strengths and weaknesses, meaning the choice depends on project-specific criteria and preferences.
MEAN Stack may be ideal if you prefer using Angular.js as it offers more structure and organization for front-end development than React.js.
Additionally, MEAN Stack might make learning traditional web development technologies like jQuery easier to manage than its alternatives.
Comparing MERN Stack to MEAN Stack when choosing between them and choosing which is superior is straightforward: MERN is ideal if your front-end development projects primarily utilize React.js for front-end development because this framework has become increasingly modern over the past several years and boasts an active community offering resources for learning and problem-solving.
Furthermore, developers who already use JavaScript may find MERN easier as its use covers every layer in its Stack.
Which Stack Is More In Demand, MERN Or MEAN?
MEAN and MERN stacks remain popular choices on the current market; which one you select depends upon the specific requirements and preferences for a project.
Both stacks possess advantages and disadvantages that should be carefully considered before choosing either option.
Angular.js has long existed within the MEAN stack and is used by established businesses. Meanwhile, React.js from MERN Stack has quickly grown increasingly popular over recent years - both have distinct strengths and weaknesses.
Thus, the decision ultimately depends on your personal preference or requirements and preferences related to a particular web development project.
Both stacks possess their advantages/disadvantages depending on whether MEAN or MERN Stack.
Conclusion
It is clear from a comparison of the MEAN and MERN stack that each platform has pros and cons. While MERN stands out for being more accessible and straightforward for smaller applications, MEAN boasts of having more advanced technologies.
Their structure is where they diverge most, with MEAN being more suited for large-scale applications and MERN being the leader in the quick application development of smaller projects.
MERN and MEAN stacks are ideal for developing massive web applications because of their superior third-party support, scalability, and flexibility.
Developers should choose the best specification based on how well it fits their experience level, expertise, and project requirements.
Paul is a highly skilled Full Stack Developer with a solid educational background that includes a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Software Engineering, as well as a decade of hands-on experience. Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and Agile Scrum Master bolster his knowledge. Paul's excellent contributions to the software development industry have garnered him a slew of prizes and accolades, cementing his status as a top-tier professional. Aside from coding, he finds relief in her interests, which include hiking through beautiful landscapes, finding creative outlets through painting, and giving back to the community by participating in local tech education programmer.
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