OPTASY: Drupal Web Development Agency Toronto
(416) 243-2431Drupal SupportRequest A QuoteQuote

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
    • Design
    • Web Development
      • Drupal
      • WordPress
      • Magento
      • Laravel
      • Shopify
      • Sharepoint
      • Contentful
      • Gatsby
      • Next.js
      • Node.js
      • React
      • AngularJS
    • Mobile & App
      • IOS
      • Android
      • Augmented Reality
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Virtual Reality
    • Maintenance & Support
      • Drupal Maintenance
      • Wordpress Maintenance
    • Staff Augmentation
  • Portfolio
    • Web
    • Mobile
    • Ar
  • About
    • Who we are
    • Values
    • Events
    • Awards
    • News
    • Careers
    • Partners
      • Acquia
      • Google
      • Pantheon
      • Shopify
      • Wordpress
  • Blog
    • Drupal
    • Drupal 8
    • HTML
    • CSS
    • Javascript
    • PHP
    • Microsoft
    • Web Design
    • Design
    • Tips
    • News
  • Contact
(416) 243-2431 Drupal Support Request A QuoteQuote

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic - OPTASY would like to offer DRUPAL website support for any Healthcare, Government, Education and Non-Profit Organization(s) with critical crisis communication websites or organizations directly providing relief. Stay Safe and Stay Well.

What Are the Top 10 JavaScript Libraries in 2017 that You Should Learn?
Javascript
PHP

What Are the Top 10 JavaScript Libraries in 2017 that You Should Learn?

by Adrian Ababei on Nov 24 2016
There, there, no need to get yourself stressed out over all the new Javascript libraries trying to lure you with their irresistible features. It's impossible even to test all of them!
 
Why should you allow this whole array of equally tempting choices to “sabotage” your efficiency by keeping you from creating new amazing websites and innovative web apps?
 
So, how can you keep your focus? By keeping a close eye on these 10 (lesser known) JavaScript libraries that we're convinced that will gain popularity and become the 10 most influential ones in 2017.
 
Find out what our predictions rely on!

 

1. Node.js

 
A bit sick and tired of hearing everyone in the web community keep talking about Node? No wonder it's one of their main topic:
 
  • it's one of those JS libraries that keeps on growing and growing at a mind-blowing speed, no doubt about that
  • it makes that reliable “boost”, the ideal environment, for any developer to get his web development project started with
  • it turns local packages management into a “child's play” in the command line
  • it eases your unit testing (in Mocha.js) work
  • it puts the Sails.js framework at your disposal for building your front-end interface
 

2. Riot.js

 
Now here's another JS library that will be wrapped in glory in 2017! Mostly front-end developers will get all excited around it!
 
Where will the excitement come from? Its helps you create powerful digital interface libraries!
 
But what makes it a strong alternative to React, one that you should even consider?
 
Here are just 3 answers to this legitimate question:
 
  • the whole community of developers backing up Riot.js, that you get to rely on, will make getting the answers to your questions much more time-efficient
  • its simple syntaxh makes it easier for you to control it while you're access DOM
  • it makes the perfect choice for customizing the elements of your app
 

3. Keystone.js

 
We could say that Node.js “passes on the torch” to Keystone.js.
 
Once you've used all of Node.js' capabilities in your web development process, reach out for Keystone. It will empower your website/web app with a 100% JavaScript, full-scale CMS engine!

 

4. D3.js

 
What do you currently rely on for creating eye-pleasing visualizations of your data?
 
Whatever you're using, you should definitely let D3.js stir your curiosity. 
 
It has no rival among the JavaScript visualization tools. It will help you add the modern edge to your graphs, dynamic visualizations and charts in no time.
 
Give it a try! Don't let the trends in the big data industry pass you by, be the one who crafts the trends!  

 

5. Create.js

 
On a constant look for the best toolkit to rely on when you create all your web animations and digital media “awesomeness”? 
 
Well, you should consider Create.js for the role of “assistant” in your work. It's so much more than just “another JavaScript library”: it's a whole collection of libraries in fact. Each one of these “sub-libraries” spoils you with certain features and help you target certain parts of your digital media projects, so that that you should pick the ones that specialize on what you want to achieve in 3D. 
 
For instance, one library/feature will help you build custom animations for the web, while others will help you handle the HTML5 canvas elements. Got the idea? 

 

6. Meteor.js

 
What's your future web development/web design project? And your second one? How about the third one in your schedule?
 
Well, learn that you can practically build all these platforms on Meteor! All of them, plus the ones that are still in the phase of ideas populating your imagination!
 
Being an open source project, it empowers you with unlimited freedom of creation and innovation. From chat apps, to social media platforms, from custom dashboards to social voting website you can build anything from the ground up on Meteor and React.
 
Unlimited possibilities? Who could say no to that?
 
It's true though that Meteor is for the skilled web developers, it's not one of the easiest JS libraries to learn! Therefore, expect to have your brain muscle challenged a bit before you get to play with its whole array of great features!

 

7. Vue.js

 
Are you in the Angular fans team or in the Ember addicts team?
 
Now what if I told you that a new “actor” will be stepping on the stage and stealing the spotlight: Vue.js?
 
For front-end developers it will be more than just “lucky no. 3”. It's a MVVM front-end framework and it's Javacript (how else!)! Therefore, it steps away from the standard MCV architecture.
 
Although learning it might turn out to be quite a challenge, don't let that discourage you: this is going to be the two typical front-end frameworks' (Amber and Ember) big “rival” in 2017, so you'd better be one step ahead of trends and start learning it now!

 

8. WebVR

 
How's your VR projects coming along? 
 
JavaScript comes to streamline your workflow with its' new API made for VR in your browser. 
 
It's still under testing (and being an open source you can just imagine the “army” of developers testing all its weaknesses, checking how it works on VR devices and in the latest browsers), but even so, dare and rely on our prediction: you want to keep an eye on it in 2017!

 

9. Chart.js

 
Name a type of chart that you need to integrate in your website/web app and we'll tell you that you can easily put it together with Chart.js.
 
Besides the cool data graphs that you can build, we've put this Javascript library on our list due to its other tempting features:
 
  • it's so easy to customize 

     
  • it's easy peasy to set it up, too

     
  • it comes already upgraded with great options for animations

     
  • it's an open source, meaning that you gain access to helpful documentation, too!
 

10. Three.js

 
And here's a more than useful JavaScript resource whenever you feel the urge to pull off some:
 
  • unbelievably realistic motion-sensitive backgrounds
  • mind-blowing 3D effects
  • amazing 3D web graphics
 
 
Don't you look forward to 2017 now, knowing what cool JavaScript libraries will get perfected and ready to help you enhance your full potential as a developer?

Share the article

Development

We do Web development

Go to our Web development page!

Visit page!

Do you want a website

or app developed?

 

Get a Free Quote

and let's make it work!

Get a Quote

Recommended Stories

DrupalDrupal 8JavascriptTips
10 Best Headless CMS in 2020, That Cover Most of Your Requirements (Part 1)

10 Best Headless CMS in 2020, That Cover Most of Your Requirements (Part 1)

Overwhelmed with options? Are you building your first (e-commerce) headless CMS and you don't know what headless CMS platform to choose?  What are the best headless CMS in 2020, so you can at least narrow down your choices and start... somewhere? Which system matches most of your feature requirements? Here's a top 10: 1. But First: What Is a Headless CMS, More Precisely? Relax, I won't bore you with too many details — we already have an in-depth post on the differences between headless and traditional CMS. So, if we were to sum up the concept in just a few words, we could say that: A headless content management system is an architecture where content is separated from the presentation layer (the client-side front-end). Meaning that you get to create, store, and edit "raw" content (with no design or layout) in the backend and deliver it wherever needed —wearable, mobile app, website — via API. In short, what you get in a headless architecture is: a database to store your content in a dashboard for editing your content Source: Zesty.io As for the "head" that serves your content to the end-user : you're free to build your own front-end, from the ground up … and even multiple front-ends, if needed, that will all use calls from the API to retrieve and display content 2. … Then What's a Decoupled CMS? Headless CMS vs decoupled CMS: what's the difference? And why headless over decoupled? The role that the API plays… That's what makes the difference (and why you'd want to go for a headless approach): If, in a decoupled architecture, the API plays the role of an intermediary between back-end and front end, in a headless architecture the API can be used by any of the front-end portions for pulling data. In other words, a decoupled CMS does come with a built-in front-end delivery layer, that you can rely on, but a headless approach is an API-driven content repository. Which gives you more flexibility for delivering content to any type of display layer. … to multiple "heads". You're free to distribute it wherever it needs to get displayed. 3. Why Choose a Headless CMS? Top 9 Benefits Before I "divulge" the best headless CMS in 2020 to you, here's a shortlist of the key advantages of using a headless CMS software: you get to engage your customers with personalized content across an entire network of digital channels, at different stages in their journey you can deliver richer digital experience, tailored to each channel you gain platform independence you're free to choose your technology of choice you benefit from cross-platform support you get to manage your content from a central location and distribute it to multiple platforms/IoT-connected devices, in a universal format you're free to manage all your platforms from one interface your development team gets to choose the development framework of their choice, integrate new technologies and, overall… innovate you're free to redesign as often as you need to, without the dread of re-implementing your entire CMS from the ground up     4. … And When Should You Use It? 5 Best Use Cases  How do you know for sure that you need to adopt this approach? You know it because your scenario describes one of the following use cases for headless CMS: you're building a site using a technology you're familiar with you're building a website with a static site generator you're building a JS-based website or web app you're building a native mobile app you're building an e-commerce site and you know that the commerce platform you're using won't… cut the mustard as a CMS; or you need to enrich product info in your online store 5. What Are the Best Headless CMS in 2020? Top 10 "Which CMS should I use?" you wonder. "The one that meets most of your requirements…" So, you should start by pinning them down. What features are you looking for in a CMS? Maybe you need a system that should: be straightforward and easy to use for the marketers/non-technical people in your team be built on… Node be highly customizable and editable for your content team to be able to change overlay text, logo, background video/image be simple to set up integrate easily with Gatsby support multi-site setups not be tied up to (just) one specific database provide ease of content entry and rich-text support provide a granular permission system provide native support for content types What are the features that your project couldn't live without? Now, with that list of "mandatory" features at hand, just drill down through your top headless CMS options in 2020. Here they are: 5.1. Storyblok A purely headless CMS that ships with a visual editor, as well. Why would you go for Storyblok? What makes it one of the best headless CMS in 2020? it provides the experience of a page builder for all those non-technical users in your team: editors get to manage content via a more user-friendly interface it grants your developers easy access to the APIs they need 5.2. Prismic Its major selling point? It allows you to choose your own language, framework, technology… And these are the 3 good reasons to go with Prismic as your headless CMS: it allows you to model your content schema and to add your content you're free to choose whatever framework that meets your feature needs: React, Vue, Next, Nuxt, Node, Gatsby… you're free to choose either GraphQL or RESTful API to query content 5.3. Drupal 8 Headless CMS   Another great option is to exploit Drupal's headless capabilities and pair them with the JavaScript framework of your choice. Here are some of the best reasons why you'd use a Drupal 8 API-first architecture: Drupal's a mature and enterprise-level headless solution backed by a wide community, used by more than 1 million sites globally; you get to tap into its massive module collection and even create new custom ones to extend your website's functionality its JSON:API follows the JSON:API specification; developers in your team can start using the API even if they're not experts in working with Drupal you get to load your GraphQl schemas straight from your Drupal content repository; there's a specialized module for this: the GraphQL module you get to use all of  Drupal's famed features (granular access to content, processes, workflows, modules, etc.) right away; you get them out-of-the-box since the REST API is… rooted deep into Drupal 5.4. Strapi, One of the Best headless CMS for Gatsby. It's an open-source Node.js headless CMS, a "host it yourself" one, that allows you to build Node.js apps in… minutes. Why would you use it? because it generates available RESTful API or uses GraphQL shortly after installation, making data available via customizable API because it allows your developers to invest all their resources in writing reusable app logic (instead of having to use some of that time to build an infrastructure) because it's fully JavaScript because it supports plugins that extend the platform's functionality because it's open-source: you'll find the entire codebase on GitHub  5.5. Contentful  Looking for a platform-agnostic solution? A… content delivery network that would enable your development team to manage and distribute (and reuse) content to multiple channels? Then this is the API-driven headless CMS you're looking for. Here are 6 other reasons why you'd want to put Contentful on your shortlist: consistent APIs easy to set up you're free to create your own models easy to use: ships with a robust, non-technical, user-friendly UI you get to add custom plugins quick and easy you get to set your own schemas to get displayed the way you want them to, across different apps Good to know! There's even a Shopify extension available. What it does is connect your online store to your content, stored in Contentful. And if you'll need help with building, fine-tuning, and integrating your content hub, we're ready to tweak Contentful to your needs.  END of Part 1! Stay tuned, for there are 5 more candidates for the title of "the best headless CMS in 2020" waiting in line.  Image by Couleur from Pixabay ... Read more
Adriana Cacoveanu / Sep 25'2020
Javascript
Why Use Node.js with React? 11 Reasons Why You Should Hook Up Your React App with a Node Back-end

Why Use Node.js with React? 11 Reasons Why You Should Hook Up Your React App with a Node Back-end

So, you’d like to build an app with React. And, while weighing your back-end options, you ask yourself: “Why use Node.js with React?” Why would you go with Node for hosting and running your web server? Why not… Ruby on Rails? Or maybe Python/Django? This is precisely what you’ll find in this post: the 11 main reasons why you’d want to choose Node.js as a backend for your React web app: 1. But First: What Is the Difference Between ReactJS and Node.js? We already have a blog post focused precisely on the React vs Node dilemma, so in today’s post I’ll only pinpoint, briefly, the main differences between the 2 technologies:   While ReactJS is a front-end library, Node.js is a highly popular choice for back-end development (thanks to its event-driven nature and to being asynchronous and highly scalable)   While React provides you with a language to describe the user interface of your web application, Node.js helps you with all sorts of (back-end) things like setting up your server, building CLI tools, scripting; a key difference to help you solve your “React vs Node.js” dilemma   While ReacJS helps you build your UI components, Node.js stores your app’s data in the backend   While React is web app developers’ top choice to address challenges like low performance and slow user interface, Node.js is the go-to technology for creating enterprise-level solutions based on WebSockets, event quests, and microservice architecture. 2. Does ReactJS (Really) Require Node?  In other words, do you need to have a Node.js backend to run React? No, you don’t. Node.js is not required for running Reactjs. So, why use Node.js with React? There are certain use cases and reasons why you’d want to pair the 2 technologies for building your app: you cut down on your web app development time (which always has a major business impact) the Node.js and React duo is your ticket to scalable and efficient code … But more on the strongest reasons why you’d use Reactjs with Node down below... 3. Why Use Node.js with React? 11 Top Reasons Now, going back to your initial question — “Why do you need Node.js for React?” — here are the key reasons why you’d go with this “duo”: 3.1. Because they’re both JavaScript: you can execute them server-side and client-side The benefits you get from having a JS-based technology in the back-end, as well, are obvious: you only need to be familiar with JavaScript (no Ruby or Python expertise needed) same language means… same packages same language means that you get to speed up your app’s development process 3.2. Because you get to inject V8 engine performance into your React app In other words, your React app will be perfectly equipped to handle bulk requests with no compromise on quality. The V8 engine that Node.js uses grants your app the best page load times. 3.3. Because you get a collection of NPM packages to choose from With the NPM CLI at your disposal, you get to install any of the packages available in the registry quick and easy. 3.4. Why use Node.js with React? Because the “duo” helps you address high server load issues  They work perfectly together to help your app handle multiple client requests while striking a server load balance. 3.5. Because Node.js bundles your app into a single, easy-to-compile file Using various modules along with Webpack, Node Js bundles your app into one file. One that can get compiled much easier... 3.6. Because it’s a real-time, data-intensive React app that you’re building. Does your React application depend on Data Streaming or Data-Intensive, Real-Time management? Is interactivity a major requirement for your web app? Is it a real time application that you have in mind? Then Nodejs makes the best choice for continued server connection in a context of intensive computation. 3.7. Because you get to run React.js code straight in the Nodejs environment 3.8. Because you get to scale your React & Node.js app to much higher loads A Node.js back-end will help your app accommodate many more users and many more future calls.  It's your best option for building scalable applications. The 2 giants are using Node.js precisely for its great scalability potential. 3.9. Because you get to build JSON APIs for your app much easier when using Node and React together How come? You get to share and reuse code in React.js quick and easy when you pair it with Node.js in the back-end. 3.10. Because rendering server-side becomes a more streamlined process Since React DOM comes with components built to work with Nodejs out of the box, you get to cut down on the lines of code.  Which translates into streamlined server-side rendering.   3.11. Because it’s a single-page React app that you’re building The “React with Node.js” duo makes the best choice for building a SPA. The lightweight Node backend will be in charge of handling asynchronous data loading via callback functions. 4. In Short, You’d Want to Use React and Node.js Together Because... “Why use Node.js with React?” As a conclusion, we could narrow down the entire list to just 2 key reasons:   Convenience: same language in the back-end and the front-end; Node.js makes the go-to option for running and hosting a web server for your React app   ReactJS depends on Node and npm (Node Package Manager) to notify the native side (iOS/Android) of the packages that you need to use in your app; then, it can add all the needed dependencies. The END! Now that you know why and when you’d want to use React with Node.js: how do you build that high-performance, conveniently scalable React & Node.js app? We’re here to help you get the most of these 2 technologies. Just drop us a line to have a team of React and Node Js developers handle your project. Image by Anemone123 from Pixabay ... Read more
Adriana Cacoveanu / Sep 16'2020
Javascript
Create React App vs Next.js: Which One Should You Go With for Building Your Next App?

Create React App vs Next.js: Which One Should You Go With for Building Your Next App?

You're about to start working on a new app project and you're confused: Create React App vs Next.js - what's the difference?  Which option's best for you? Considering your SEO,  SSR, API, and performance needs. And they're frustratingly similar: they both enable you to build React apps without the need to use Webpack for bundling it (or the need to do any code splitting) they both make it possible for you to have your React app up and running in no time Still, each framework comes with its own pros and cons and specific use cases. So, in this post, you'll find your answers to the following questions: What are the key differences between CRA and Next.js? What are the main benefits of using Next.js? What are the main benefits of using Create React App? What are the downsides of Next.js? What are the downsides of Create React App? When would you want to use one over the other? 1. What's the Key Difference Between CRA and Next.js? SSR vs CSR... It's where all their differences stem from. Next.js apps are rendered on the client-side (CSR), but the framework supports server-side rendering (SSR), as well. By comparison, Create React App apps are rendered only on the client-side. In other words: CRA generates HTML code in the client browser, whereas Next.js generates it in the server, based on the URL.  So, your "Create react App vs Next.js" dilemma comes down to whether a static page meets your needs or not entirely. 2. What Are the Main Benefits of Using Next.js? Now that you know what's the fundamental difference between the 2 systems for building React apps, let's put the spotlight on Next.js. Why would you choose it? because it's so simple to set up, build, and even host a Next.js app: you have packages for almost all the key additions that call for Webpack configuration (SaSS, CSS, TS...) because rendering React apps becomes much easier, regardless of where the data comes from because you can benefit from automatic server rendering and code splitting (that will increase performance) because SSR (server-side rendering) will give your app a major performance boost  because it's a lightweight framework for both static and server-rendered universal JS apps because it's good for SEO (with everything being generated from the server...) 3. Create React App vs Next.js: What Are the Main Benefits of Using CRA? In a "Next.js vs create-react-app" debate, what are the strongest reasons for opting for CRA to build your React app? it's easier to deploy you get to build a single page React app with... zero configuration (no time-consuming setup needed) you don't need to deal with Webpack or Babel it's plain simple (an empty div and just a few js files) and provides all the needed HTML code to render your app on the client-side  the development process is much smoother better developer experience In short, with Create React App you basically run just one command and the framework sets up all the tools you need to start developing your app on the spot. 4. What Are the Downsides of Next.js? What could make you think twice before choosing Next.js for building your next app? the fact that it's opinionated: there's a Next.js way of doing things and you're constrained to... adjust to it if you later want to use a router different from its own filled-based one (or add Redux maybe), you'll discover that it's not that flexible  5. What Are the Downsides of Create React App? In a "Create React App vs Next.js" debate, why would you rule out CRA? because it only supports client-side rendering, which is not enough if it's a high-performing app that you want to build because no code splitting translates into lower performance because it's not good for SEO (since it doesn't render pages on the server) 6. When Would You Want to Use Next.js? As a rule of thumb, use Next.js: if you need to build a fast, production-ready app (SSR injects top speed into your React application) if public SEO is a crucial factor for your app project if it's a dynamic page that you need to create (wihout having to write your own bundling) if it's an eCommerce app that you're building (Next.js is more suited for the cart, the stock inventory, and other highly dynamic pages) 7. When Would You Want to Use Create React App? When would you choose it over Next.js? when you need to build a React app really fast; with CRA you can skip the configuration and the setting up part when you need to create a landing page for a product: Create React App makes it so much simpler to put it together when it's a SPA that you need to build 8. In Conclusion... CRA is easy, while Next.js "seduces" you with better performance and SEO. Is it a single page React app that you need to get up and running fast and you don't need SSR? Create React App might just be the best choice for you. Is it a fast-loading app that you're building? Is performance business-critical for you and SEO much more than just a nice-to-have? You might want to consider Next.js then for your next app. Need a team of experienced app developers to build it for you? Just send us your feature list and... let's build it! Image by Pexels from Pixabay   ... Read more
Silviu Serdaru / Aug 07'2020

Browse cities

×

Toronto

WordPress Development Services in Toronto
iOS App Development Services in Toronto
Drupal Development Services in Toronto
Magento Development Services in Toronto
Laravel Development Services in Toronto

Montreal

WordPress Development Services in Montreal
iOS App Development Services in Montreal
Laravel Development Services in Montreal
Drupal Development Services in Montreal
Magento Development Services in Montreal

Vancouver

Magento Development Services in Vancouver
iOS App Development Services in Vancouver
Drupal Development Services in Vancouver
WordPress Development Services in Vancouver
Laravel Development Services in Vancouver

New York

WordPress Development Services in New York
Laravel Development Services in New York
iOS App Development Services in New York
Drupal Development Services in New York
Magento Development Services in New York

Need a new Project?

Dare us to shape and boost your idea(s)!

Start a Project

(416) 243-2431

Contact

(416) 243-2431

contact@optasy.com

Toronto Downtown

First Canadian Place,
100 King St. W. Suite 5700, Toronto

Toronto West

2275 Upper Middle
Rd. E, Suite 101
Toronto

New York

1177 Avenue of the
Americas, 5th Floor,
New York

Newsletter

Get the latest OPTASY news, tips and how-to’s on the go, right in your inbox!
OPTASY
clutch
Pantheon Premier Partner
  • Drupal 8
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • Partners

  • Drupal
  • Google
  • Magento
  • Shopify
  • Wordpress
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Drupal
  • Cities
  • Support

© 2023 All Rights Reserved. Built with Drupal