Is the MEAN Stack the best technological stack for your Web Application Development?

Every web or enterprise application needs certain technology (like programming languages, frameworks, platforms) or technology stack to develop it based on customer needs.  

The technology stack is enclosed with many languages and frameworks as one list, to build a particular application. There are billions of websites and web apps are hosted and used by the people. Hence the demand for developing web app is raised along with the increasing use of technology stack.  

In this, MEAN is one of the popular technology stacks that is trusted by a strong developer community to build web applications. We will discuss how this MEAN stack is useful for your web application development. 

MEAN Stack 

MEAN is a JavaScript-based technology stack for building websites and web apps that are dynamic. A stack is a set of elements grouped to perform particular functions on app development. MEAN applications can use one language for both server-side and client-side environments as they support all programs in JavaScript. So, it is an added advantage of using the MEAN stack for your web applications. Also, Java Script is the most preferred programming language for web development. 

MEAN Stack Application Architecture 

MEAN comprises of MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js. All these Java Script environments are popular among the developers. So, individually, each one contributes its features to build a web application or website. But MEAN stack (all together) will benefit you in a lot of ways which we will discuss later. 

The architecture of the MEAN is well explained by its four components (i.e.,) MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, Node.js. Let's see the components below: 

MongoDB 

MongoDB is a database for storing data. Using JavaScript as a query programming language, MongoDB stores any size data without causing interruptions in the stack. It is a cross-platform data storing system. Therefore, the website or web applications can use MongoDB for saving all the data in the app as it is also enclosed with JavaScript. 

Express.js 

Any application development includes front-end (client-side) development and back-end (server-side) development along with the database to control the data. 

Express.js aka Express is taking care of the back-end development of the MEAN stack application. It is a web application framework for Node.js that serves fast and secured web apps and also helps to make the development process simple and easy.  

Angular 

AngularJS is a popular front-end (client-side) framework for developing web applications. Built by Google, AngularJS is the most used framework by the developers. The Angular js (the first version) is upgraded to many new versions like Angular 2 to Angular 9, and Angular is still in the process because of its modularity. It provides many modules for a single application.  

Many large companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, PayPal, etc., are using Angular in its technology stack. This shows the popularity of Angular. 

Node.js 

Node.js is a runtime environment based on JavaScript for developing faster applications. As an opensource and server-side (back-end) platform, Node.js is used to build scalable applications.  

As per stats, 28,000 websites are using this Node.js platform. It serves as a backend for many popular business websites like eBay, AliExpress, etc., So, Node.js is also one of the most used environments in the JavaScript language and hence it is the best part of the MEAN stack. 

Working Process of MEAN Stack 

Thus, these four components complete the MEAN stack architecture with the following working process: 

Step 1: Whenever the client requests in the application, it hits AngularJS as it is the client-side framework. 

Step 2: This request from AngularJS passes into Node.js, the back-end environment through the Express.js, a web framework for Node.js. 

Step 3: Express.js then allows the request to reach the database 

Step 4: MongoDB, where the database is controlled, accepts the request and sends the response to Express.js. 

Step 5: Finally, from Express.js to Node.js and from Node.js to AngularJS, the response will reach the user. 

These steps will help you to get secure and faster web applications. Hence using the MEAN stack is a good choice.  

Reasons for Using MEAN Stack for Web Applications 

Now, we will discuss the reasons for using this MEAN stack in detail. These benefits will help you to understand how the MEAN stack is useful for developing web applications. 

Don’t overwhelm with multiple programming languages 

As already said, one of the important advantages of using MEAN stack is to use a single programming language that is JavaScript. Since JavaScript is applicable for both front-end and back-end development, the MEAN stack developers find it easy to implement this technology in the app development. This one simple language will help you to save time without focusing on multiple languages. 

Develop flexible applications 

Another important point in the MEAN stack is its flexibility feature. Due to the higher flexibility in MEAN stack, it can be helpful for a single app to enterprise app development. This flexibility is not only useful in development part but also plays a vital role during the testing process. Adding an element is easier in the MEAN stack process. 

See better performance in the apps 

As the MEAN stack’s four components (from MongoDB to Node.js) provide various individual benefits, together the MEAN stack web application is developed with high performance. 

MongoDB will add any new element easily by controlling the database. Express.js is well worked with Node.js.  

Since Node.js is providing optimal performance than existing platforms, Node.js can run in different operating systems easily. Also, the front-end part, Angular is taking care of testing, reusable code, etc., In simple, Node.js and Angular is a powerful pack of MEAN stack frameworks that improves the performance of the application. 

JSON is being used 

JSON or JavaScript Object Notation is used in both AngularJS and Node.js. JSON is a kind of file or data interchange format that is used in MEAN stack to exchange the data without issues in all layers of the application. This is an added benefit. 

Cloud compatibility and integration 

MongoDB in the MEAN stack is a needed part as it helps you to host the applications in the cloud easily. MongoDB is the best choice for cloud-based technologies. Also, the four components in the MEAN stack are available free, it helps in reducing the development cost and memory. MongoDB helps in reducing disk space costs by providing better cloud solutions. 

Isomorphic coding is integrated 

With the help of isomorphic coding and MEAN stack features, transferring code from one framework to another framework is made easier. It is a top feature for web application development. This isomorphism feature is the best part of this stack helping application to be reliable. 

High speed and cost-effective 

As the title says, MEAN stack is completely helpful in building high-speed applications. Since the components are free and open-source, app development is inexpensive when compared to other technologies. 

These features and benefits indicate that MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js (MEAN) are the best technology stacks for building your websites and web applications. 

MEAN Stack Examples 

Most of the large-scale companies include MEAN in its technology stack. Now, we will see the MEAN stack real time applications. These applications are built with Angular and Node.js, the part of the MEAN stack. 

• YouTube 
• Forbes 
• Tumblr 
• Flickr 
• Facebook 
• WhatsApp 
• Instagram 
• Netflix 
• Paytm, etc., 

Due to the user-friendly features in the MEAN stack like cost-effective, single programming language, better performance, and security, the above listed platforms are using this MEAN technology. 

I hope these MEAN stack sample applications give you some idea to build your web apps or websites. 

MEAN stack vs MERN stack 

MERN stack is similar to the MEAN stack where the only different component in MERN stack is, Angular (‘A’) is replaced with React (‘R’). React is also a framework for developing User Interface (UI) of the web applications. React is also based on JavaScript. 

 For developing small applications, the development time of MERN stack is lower when compares to MEAN stack. Thus, for the small apps, MERN stack is better. But for building the large enterprise applications like your business web apps, MEAN stack is applicable as it provides more features beyond MERN stack.  

Simple Difference Between Full Stack and Mean Stack Development: 

A lot of you get confused about the terms full stack and mean stack. Let’s break the confusion with a simple definition. 

Full-stack app development is the complete process that includes the development of the front-end and back-end of an app. This app development may include many programming languages and frameworks like JavaScript, PHP, Python, Angular, .NET, etc., From this, you can choose the best technology that satisfies your app requirements.  

Whereas, MEAN is the technology stack used for building full-stack web applications. So, without using two languages like PHP, Python, you can use this MEAN stack for your app development as it is based on single language, (i.,e) JS. 

Final Words: 

MEAN is the best technology stack to create websites or web applications. So, without wasting time in using multiple languages and frameworks for your application, you can give a try to this MEAN stack as it has many useful advantages to enhance your app features.  

Infinijith is a leading mean stack development company where we provide you the mean stack and full-stack development services for your business based on customer-friendly features and MEAN stack technology. You can hire mean stack developers to build your web applications. Let’s chat to expand your app ideas. 

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