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The most important JavaScript (JS) trends to watch out for in 2021

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olivia cuthbert
The most important JavaScript (JS) trends to watch out for in 2021

 

 




As the saying goes, there are as many JavaScript frameworks and libraries as there are stars in the Milky Way. The number of JS frameworks is enormous - we can only agree!

 

However, it is well under 300 billion. Fortunately, you don't have to spend your whole life looking for the best JavaScript framework for your projects.

 

Performance, speed, or popularity? What are the most critical features developers are looking for in a technology stack? It's unlikely that there's only one reason why specific frameworks rise, and others fall by the wayside.

 

What you can do is observe the driving directions of the front-end landscape. So let's take a look at the top JavaScript trends to watch out for in 2021.

 

What are the popular courses in JavaScript development?

 

1| Responsiveness stays at the top



In 2011, the React library was born out of Facebook's need to support rapidly evolving traffic on its services. An early prototype of React was called FaxJS, and it was not yet such a robust, powerful, and convenient library for developing user interfaces.




Later, in 2013, the React library became an open-source project, also maintained by Facebook. Thanks to the collective efforts of its maintainers React is a hub of top libraries for JavaScript developers. It uses by many industry leaders such as Pinterest, WhatsApp, Reddit, Netflix, etc.

 

You might also like this.

 

In 2020, downloaded React's npm package four times more than its closest competitor, Vue.js. In the chart under, you can examine the adoption trends of JavaScript frameworks.




The year 2021 was marked by the first React release, which did not add any new features. Instead, this release enabled incremental updates and made it easier to integrate React with other technologies.




In addition, the React team introduced some experimental features such as parallelism and zero-pixel server components. So far, these technologies are still under development, so don't rush to implement them in production. However, you should explore these features, as they could become a significant milestone in developing the JavaScript framework.

 

Parallelism expects to become part of the stable release in mid-2021. In this mode, can defer changes until they appear on screens. It is very different from the React approach used in the past.

 

Our team is passionate about React and expects 2021 to be an excellent year for React developers. If you want to make your work more efficient, check out our technology article on best practices and tools for React development.

 

2| Vue is evolving

 

Sometimes it can be challenging for a developer to choose between Vue.js and React on a project. At Codice, we use both of these frameworks for various tasks related to custom software development.

 

In 2020, we will see the much anticipated Vue.js Major Release 3.0. It will improve application performance, reduce package sizes and expand TypeScript support. In addition, the Vue team has released the Composition API, making it easier to work with large projects. Vue 2.7 will release as an LTS version with a maintenance period of 1.5 years.

 

Let's take a closer look at the improvements to Vue that will impact JS framework trends in 2021.

 

 

| Increased performance

A performance comparison between Vue 3 and Vue 2 shows significant improvements, namely:

 

  • Up to 41% smaller package size;
  • Up to 55% faster initial rendering;
  • Up to 133% faster updates;
  • Up to 54% lower memory consumption.

 

How did Vue 3 achieve such incredible results? The latest version of Vue uses a "compiler-informed virtual DOM." The model compiler renders static content faster and more efficiently and can also smooth out dynamic nodes.

 

Vue 3, one of the most potent JavaScript trends, offers programmers the following features. Is it better for your project to have performance optimization and type binding done in the compiler? Or would it be better to monitor rendering manually?

Support on a large scale

 

Before the third release, Vue was primarily suited for smaller projects.

 

However, the Composition API in Vue 3 made it easier to organize and reuse code, which is essential for larger projects. It addresses issues such as unclear component origins, namespace conflicts, and performance delays. As a result, readability and type checking are improved and conform to the latest trends in JavaScript.

 

| TypeScript integration

 

The new virtual DOM and Composition APIs support one of the most critical trends in JavaScript: TypeScript. Vue 3 is built with TypeScript and comes bundled with type declarations.

 

| Hierarchy of modules

 

The architecture of Vue core has shifted towards a corpus of decoupled modules, in line with the trend in JavaScript frameworks. It has resulted in a more maintainable framework and the introduction of tree-shaking, which reduces runtime size by up to 50%.

 

As such, Vue holds a vital place in the popularity of JavaScript frameworks. Vue also continues to provide developers with a straightforward and flexible way to build web applications.

 

3| TypeScript is growing fast



TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that Microsoft released in 2012. Its birth trigger by the fact that JS does not restrict the types of objects it can contain. As the language's name suggests, it supports optional kinds not found in JS. TypeScript also adds enums to make it easier to organize code.

 

Microsoft's solution is not the only one presented in the market. However, the most modern State of JS survey shows that TypeScript is the most used language.

 

TypeScript as a typical JavaScript subset

 

TypeScript incorporates the syntax and semantics of JavaScript. TypeScript makes developers more productive and makes it easier to maintain a growing codebase.

 

Let's look at the main advantages of TypeScript, one of the most potent JavaScript trends.

 

Advantages of TypeScript

 

| Arbitrary static typing

 

TypeScript base on structural, or "duck," typing: with TypeScript, you can combine existing types to create complex types. For this purpose, we can use unions and generics. TypeScript also supports interfaces.

 

| Early detection of bugs

 

TypeScript can reduce the number of errors in your program by highlighting unexpected behavior. And it does this at compile-time, not during execution as in JavaScript. In this way, TypeScript can generate more efficient code.




| Support for large scale solutions



Did not create JavaScript was not developing the large and complex systems that flood the modern web. That is why TypeScript incorporates object-oriented features such as interfaces, generics, and modules.

 

| Wide adoption

 

All major JavaScript libraries and frameworks support typeScript. TypeScript also compiles to highly readable, standards-based JavaScript.

 

| Easy onboarding

 

For those who are close with Javascript, turning to TypeScript is not that difficult.

 

That's why TypeScript is the second most-loved language in 2020, according to Stack Overflow's Developer Survey, and looking at JS trends, it seems like its popularity won't wane in 2021.




This widespread acceptance of TypeScript has been one of the most influential JavaScript trends in recent times. But it also has its drawbacks: for TypeScript code to run in a browser, it must compile into regular JavaScript code. If you are working on a small project, this delay can be significant. So, in such cases, JavaScript still works better. 4.



4| Web components as structure blocks of the web

 

No one can foretell the demand for JavaScript frameworks five years from now. However, web components can be used in both popular frameworks and plain JavaScript.

 

Therefore, these components, which are the building blocks of modern web applications, are called framework-independent or agnostic web components. Web components make web development more accessible and reduce the time and cost required to build applications. Web components make web development easier and reduce the time and cost of building applications.

 

But why is this concept gaining popularity among other JavaScript trends? And how does it work? It's based on the following specifications.

 

Custom Elements allows developers to create new autonomous HTML tags with fully customizable behavior.

 

Shadow DOM allows for the encapsulation of DOM subtrees into web elements.

ES Modules determine how to be reused in other JS documents, including JavaScript modules.

 

HTML Template provides a way to create markup fragments that can instantiate at runtime without affecting the page's loading.

Web Components are by far the most popular of the latest trends in JavaScript.

 

Advantages of web components

 

| Interoperability and Flexibility

 

Web Components is a platform-independent concept, relying only on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to all major browsers. 

Web Components supports the most popular JavaScript libraries and frameworks. It supports the most popular JavaScript libraries and frameworks.

 

| Reusability and encapsulation

 

Web Components rely on the native browser model of the application. It allows you to reuse the components in any JavaScript application. It also ensures that the Shadow DOM does not leak custom styles.

 

|  Mobile Enhancements

 

Progressive web applications are currently gaining momentum. Therefore, developing PWAs has become a must for companies that want to interact effectively with their mobile customers. In such cases, web components with small package sizes and fast execution times can significantly help.

 

5| GraphQL is the capture of data management

 

GraphQL is a query engine released by Facebook in 2015. This data administration tool presents a flexible syntax for querying data from both the back-end and the front-end. It is used by many famous companies, including GitHub, Pinterest, Coursera, and Shopify.

 

In 2020, of all the technologies known to programmers, GraphQL attracted the most interest. 89.6% of programmers who have heard of the language are interested in learning it.

 

However, Redux remains the leader in providing data management, with 67% of developers using it. However, trends in JS show that this technology is becoming less and less accepted by programmers.

 

How to use the front-end data layer tool State of JS

 

Why is developer satisfaction with Redux declining? It's because Redux is often very verbose and requires too much boilerplate. It also isn't very good at managing cached data for applications.

 

However, several prevalent JavaScript frameworks and libraries allow you to get the most out of your data management. In addition, the majority of internet usage takes place on mobile devices, which requires efficient data loading.

 

The idea behind GraphQL came from Facebook's need to improve the performance of data calls in their applications. And GraphQL has done its job beautifully.

 

Let's talk about the benefits GraphQL brings as one of the critical trends in JavaScript for 2021.

 

Benefits of GraphQL

 

| Faster data retrieval

 

The REST approach deals with individual URLs that need to combines with multiple endpoints in an API application. GraphQL, on the other hand, collects data under a single endpoint. It means that programmers can retrieve the data they need in a single API call.



| Increased query efficiency

 

The name of the language implies that the data on the server defines as a graph. This graph-based schema allows data to be delivered in packets rather than in multiple API calls.

 

Custom Queries

GraphQL supports arguments for any field or input object, including scalar fields. This powerful typing feature stems from the principle of abstraction. In this way, you can reduce complexity and focus on the information that matters.

 

With these advantages, GraphQL can replace the RESTful approach. And for now, this is one of the significant JavaScript trends to watch in 2021.

 

6| Component-based architecture rocks

 

A component-based architecture breaks down a design into logical or functional elements. These elements embody known interfaces such as methods, properties, and events.

 

Component-based architectures seek to increase the reusability of components. A component is a self-usable binary entity that encapsulates functionality.

 

When discussing the latest developments in JS and front-end development, it is impossible not to speak about Bit, the open-source platform. It's an excellent tool for sharing, storing, and organizing web components of any project. It increases code reusability and allows you to collaborate on separate parts.

 It can also use to implement Atomic Design, one of the latest trends in JavaScript. Atomic design is made up of five levels, as shown in the diagram below.



The atomic design approach is one of the latest trends in JavaScript. Because it is modular, it allows you to create consistent and scalable systems.



Advantages of a component-based architecture

 

Ease of deployment When you need to deploy a new version, you don't have to replace the whole system. Everything relevant to a particular component declares within its class.

 

Cost savings - can integrate third-party components and can spill the cost of the software.

 

Ease of development The components use interfaces that do not affect the rest of the application. One level of the architecture (in most cases, the view) contains the logic, design, and helper functions.

 

So why should you adopt the component-based approach that is the latest trend in JavaScript? By choosing components, you can use code that your team has developed for another project or even code generated by the entire open-source society.

 

7| Svelte is expanding by leaps and bounds

 

Svelte is a front-end framework with a component-based architecture. The first version of this frame was written in JavaScript and released in 2016. However, the third version, which came out in 2019, uses TypeScript, another example of a trend in JS that will be popular as of 2021.

 

Since the release of the TypeScript version, the framework has generated a great deal of interest in the developer community; Svelte is used by 15% of JavaScript developers. However, it is a framework that satisfies most programmers.

 

Trends in JavaScript frameworks by the State of JS

 

Svelte is a lightweight framework that helps you build robust web apps. Unlike React and Vue, which convert your application into vanilla JS code during runtime, Svelte does it at build time. Svelte acts as a compiler to run your app in the browser without an abstraction layer. Svelte cannot ignore a JS trend for 2021. Here are some of the features of Svelte that cannot miss as a JS trend for 2021.

 

Advantages of Svelte

 

| Built-in Reactivity

 

We've all heard that React is reactive. But Svelte has found another source of reactivity besides React's virtual DOM. That is, every component in a Svelte app can have a state. As soon as you change the form of an element, the DOM is updated.

 

| Improved Performance

 

Svelte shows excellent runtime performance, and the data trends in JavaScript show that this framework is particularly suitable for small and medium projects.

 

| Compact syntax

 

Svelte's syntax is simple and easy to read. Also, Svelte applications do not require a lot of boilerplate syntaxes.

 

At the moment, Svelte does not have the top level of usage among popular JavaScript frameworks. However, the latest trends suggest that Svelte's use will continue to grow. And who knows what JavaScript frameworks will set the direction for JS in the near five years?



Top JavaScript frameworks and libraries to watch out for in 2021

| Front-end frameworks

 

It supports hybrid static rendering, innovative bundles, and route prefetching. It also has good TypeScript and SEO support.

 

It is Nuxt.js, which can be described as Next.js on Vue. However, it is a framework that has its advantages. For example, it is well suited to building universal apps that can run on both the front-end and the back-end. It also allows you to manage detailed meta tags to improve SEO.

 

Gatsby. A React-powered framework for building e-commerce platforms, landings, blogs, and advanced web applications is powered by GraphQL, giving programmers the ability to split code and data. It is also faster, safer, and more SEO-friendly.



VuePress, a static site generator developed by Evan You, the creator of Vue. It facilitates the handling of technical documentation: with VuePress, you get a pre-rendered, SEO-friendly SPA with just two commands. You can also use Vue components in your VuePress application.

 

Back-end frameworks

Nest.js. The Node.js framework is supported by TypeScript. It is well suited for developing robust and scalable back-end applications of all kinds. It adopts the best ideas of object-oriented, functional, and reactive programming. Its architecture ensures modularity, testability, and maintainability of the code.

Express.js. Node.js framework uses to build RESTful API servers. It supports the processing of I/O requests. In addition, Express comes with a collection of tools and middleware modules that facilitate the development process. It is also easy to configure and customize.

Fastify. It is a fast and cost-effective alternative to the previous framework. Fastify provides plugins, hooks, and encapsulated decorators that facilitate code reuse and decoupling. It also supports TypeScript, one of the significant trends in JS today.

 



| Conclusion

 

In 2021, we see JavaScript not going away anytime soon and TypeScript becoming more popular. The landscape is constantly expanding, driven by the latest trends in JavaScript. Firstly, these are represented by the continued popularity of React and Vue. In 2021, we will also see the rise of GraphQL, Svelte, and Web Components.

 

This article should shed light on what the current trends in JavaScript are. We also talked about the critical JavaScript libraries and frameworks that will shape front-end development in 2021 and beyond.

 

Are you interested in putting the latest JavaScript trends into practice? you can contact top software development companies in India team of passionate React developers and work with us on complex web products from the ground up.



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