Successful businesses work on successful recipes and Wiredelta® is no exception to that rule. However, as a web development hub, our recipe is a little bit different from regular businesses. Wiredelta’s success relies on a well-thought recipe, based on the best JavaScript ingredients current technology has to offer.
What is this recipe, you ask? Well, you take a handful of NodeJS and a fresh batch of AngularJS. Mix them together in just the right way, and you have yourself an amazing end result. Bake everything a little bit in Ionic and you create an excellent mobile app.
Before understanding how to put these JavaScript ingredients together, like any good chef, one must first understand the ingredients one works with. Let’s start by understanding the base, shall we?
JavaScript cuisine
In our Web dictionary post, we covered briefly what JavaScript is. In this post, we will take a more in-depth look at this fascinating language. One of the most popular programming languages today, JavaScript is part of the web development “holy triad”, among CSS and HTML.
JavaScript is a client-side programming language that makes possible reading, interpreting and executing script in web browsers. Because it is client-side, JavaScript allows updates to be made in real-time, without influencing the user’s experience. But most importantly, JavaScript allows developers to implement interactive elements and animations to web pages, as it is an object-oriented programming script (OOP). Comment sections, menu bars, video/audio embedment, etc. are all possible thanks to JavaScript.
First step: NodeJS
NodeJS is a JavaScript-based programming language. There are little differences between NodeJS and JavaScript, but, the revolutionising thing about NodeJS is that all of a sudden, you can now code server-side / backend using Javascript.
NodeJS comes with certain APIs perfect for back-end development. In other words, if you know how to program in JavaScript, NodeJS will be no problem.
NodeJS uses a one-of-a-kind Input/Output (I/O) model perfect for scalable situations and real-time updates. It is also lightweight and efficient, which makes it the perfect tool for this type of development. Moreover, the I/O model used by NodeJS makes it possible for the client and the server to communicate freely. Traditionally, there was simply a one-way communication paradigm, where only the client could initiate the “discussion”.
This free communication between the server and the client allows the implementation of push technology. In simpler terms, the server is also able to push certain information towards the client. This technology makes online communication possible, such as instant messaging, e-mails, online conferences and many more. Not only that, but it also makes one-way notifications possible, such as news, weather updates, traffic info and so on.
In short, NodeJS changed the way JavaScript-based technology communicates with us, the end users, and the way we communicate with each other. Moreover, because it is based on JavaScript, there is only one programming language to learn for backend development. It is only logical to use Node, instead of learning a completely new one, such as PHP.
Second step: AngularJS
AngularJS, as opposed to NodeJS, is a JavaScript framework for creating dynamic web applications. In fact, Angular is one of the most popular MVC frameworks available and it works best for complex front-end application. As a framework, AngularJS binds data and eliminates the need to write much of the code used for front-end development.
Usually, to go from a static document, written in such languages as HTML to a dynamic app, a developer would need two elements:
- a library – a set of routine functions that are used by programmes, or the web app;
- frameworks – a selective overwrite of common code that transforms generic functions into specific functions.
AngularJS, however, is a bit more advanced than that. Angular is not limited to using just these two elements, that can create mismatches between the generic and the specific functions. Instead, AngularJS uses something called directives to teach browsers new attributes, such as:
- Data binding, as in {{}}.
- DOM control structures for repeating, showing and hiding DOM fragments.
- Support for forms and form validation.
- Attaching new behaviour to DOM elements, such as DOM event handling.
- Grouping of HTML into reusable components.
This makes Angular the perfect partner for technologies such as NodeJS. Not only that they are both based on JavaScript, but Angular complements the latter and brings web pages to life.
Ionic. The “oven” for mobile apps
Ionic is an open-source framework for developing both native and hybrid mobile apps as well as progressive web apps, with a focus on performance. Ionic supports minimal DOM manipulation, it removes the 300ms tap delay and provides hardware-accelerated animation. This tool was initially launched in March 2014 as a beta version and later in May 2015 as a final version.
Ionic 1, the first version of the technology concentrated only on native and hybrid apps. However, in a survey, the company took in 2017, with more than 13.000 respondents, shows that already 31.5% of developers shifted their focus towards Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), a big leap from 2015 when PWAs first began to gain popularity.
As a response to this, at the end of 2017, the second version, Ionic 2 was released. This version is based on technology provided by Cordova, and it now also focuses on Progressive Web Apps.
Since its initial release in 2014, Ionic has rapidly gained recognition.
Today, there are over 3 million apps built using Ionic, and the framework won over 33.5k stars on GitHub. Still, the same survey mentioned before concluded that only 45% of developers focus on applications intended for mobile devices, such as tablets. Moreover, when we talk about mobile device programming, the world more-or-less divides between iOS and Android.
So why is Ionic so popular?
First of all, Ionic is based on technologies developers are familiar with, namely the holy triad, HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Moreover, Ionic uses the AngularJS framework. This is not only because of Angular’s increasing popularity but because of its functionality. Remember, AngularJS is used for scalable web applications, it extends HTML’s “vocabulary”, and has UI components that use Directives and Services.
Second of all, Ionic was created to help ease the job of developers around the world. By using the technology behind Cordova, Ionic allows developers to write one code that can be used on any OS. However, as an upgrade to Cordova, Ionic is easier and faster to use, which means that new developers are able to use it as well.
Cutting the cake
As we explained, both NodeJS and AngularJS are based on the same programming language, JavaScript. This language is one every good developer should learn. Remember, JavaScript is part of the holy triad, so every good developer should know how to code in it.
To further prove our point, and show why this Node-Angular-Ionic recipe is successful, the Ionic study also shows that 56.6% of the developers questioned use NodeJS the backend programming language.
Using Ionic for the mobile apps Wiredelta develops is self-implied, seeing that Ionic itself is based on AngularJS.
If you want to become a part of a winners’ developing team, like Wiredelta’s, you can see our vacancies and apply here. If you have a business and you’d like an app of your own, take a look at our website. We can help you boost your brand with beautiful designs and impeccable functionality.
Finally, if you want to learn more about how to improve your online presence, read our posts about Google’s ranking system for websites, or how important UI design is for your business and many more.
