MEAN represents MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js. It is an end-to-end JavaScript used in cloud-ready web applications. It is built to ease the development of web applications and handle JSON.
Also visit - https://naturalgrp.com/mean-stack-development/
Injustice - Developers Among Us (SciFiDevCon 2024)
MEAN Stack: What and Why
1. MEAN Stack: What and Why
What is MEAN?
MEAN represents MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js. It is an end-to-end JavaScript used
in cloud-ready web applications. It is built to ease the development of web applications and handle
JSON.
MEAN stacks have flexibility, and scalability, and their ability to handle concurrent users makes them
ideal for cloud hosting. It has its web server that can be deployed quickly and the database can be
scaled to accommodate temporary usage spikes.
The MEAN stack comprises four technologies-
● MongoDB -An open-source NoSQL database
● Express - Forms the backend of MEAN and handles all interactions between the front end and
database.
● AngularJS - Used to develop the user-facing side of the application.
● Node.js - The open-source JavaScript framework uses asynchronous events to process
multiple connections concurrently.
2. Components of MEAN
Components of the MEAN stack are divided into three categories: frontend, backend, and database.
Frontend
It refers to the front side or the client side of the application. It refers to anything that a user can
engage, or interact with on the screen. The purpose of the front end is to create a smooth user
interface, user experience, and straightforward internal structure which includes the design, format,
and navigation of websites or web apps.
It uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages to design the front portion of the web that includes
components like design, theme, styles, functionality, etc. In the MEAN, the AngularJS framework is
used.
AngularJS
AngularJS is the open-source JavaScript framework that is used to build single-phase applications and
line-of-business applications. It changes static HTML to dynamic HTML and enhances its ability by
inserting attributes and elements. It also provides the ability to create custom attributes using
JavaScript. It has features like dynamic binding and dependency injection which eliminates the need
to write code that was otherwise required to be written.
Backend
It is responsible for storing and organizing data and ensuring the smooth running of operations. If the
frontend is the code that runs in the user’s browser, the backend code runs on the server. It receives
requests from clients and has the logical knowledge to send appropriate data back to the user. It also
includes a built-in database that stores all the information
3. The APIs built by backend developers can be used by frontend developers for integration of the
client-side and server side. Backend can be built using many languages like PHP, Python,, or Java.
MEAN stack uses Express and Node.js for the backend.
Express
ExpressJS or Express is a node js web application framework that provides various features for
building web and mobile applications. It is used in single-page, multipage and hybrid web application
development. Companies using Express are Netflix, uber, eBay, etc.
Node.js
It is an open source cross-platform runtime environment and library used for running web
applications. It is used for server-side programming and primarily installed for non-blocking,
event-driven servers, such as traditional websites and backend API services.
Node.js is a runtime environment meaning, it contains Web APIs that a developer can access to build
a code and a JavaScript engine that parses that code. This makes it lightweight, flexible, and easy to
install resulting in optimization and enhanced speed of the project.
Database
Oracle defines a database as “an organized collection of structured information, or data typically
stored electronically in a computer system”. It is controlled by Database Management System
(DBMS). Data is typically modeled in rows and columns in a tabular format to make processing and
data querying efficient.
There are many types of databases depending upon the need of the organization. Some of the popular
categories are- Relational databases, Object-oriented databases, Distributed databases, Open source
databases, and Cloud databases to name a few. MEAN uses the NoSQL database program MongoDB.
MongoDB
It is a cross platform, document oriented database that provides high performance, high availability,
and easy scalability. It works on the concept of collection and document. Every document in
MongoDB is described in BSON, a binary representation of the data. This information can be
retrienved in JSON format by applications.
It is a document database, which makes it easy for developers to store structured and unstructured
data. It was built on a scale-out architecture that is very popular among all kinds of developers for
developing scalable applications with evolving data schemas.
It is best if you want to: enable collaboration of large number of teams, scales to high level of rean and
write traffic, scale data repository to massive size, evolve the type of deployment as the business
changes, store, manage and search data with text, geospatial or time-series dimensions.
4. Why MEAN stack is ideal for Web and Mobile Application
Development?
As the MEAN stack is based on JavaScript, implementation is easy. Developers can use JS platform to
implement MEAN stack application for streamlined app development using a single language across
the whole application.
It is a great support for organization as it is simpler for companies to follow a modern approach by
using MEAN. It helps developers in expanding their skillsets to write modern apps.
It enables UI development which offers a user-friendly experience. It support MVC architecture to
generate native-type web applications. Node.js is used for non-blocking type I/O and it removes the
overload of the request proceeding to improve site speed. Angular is applied to improve code
reusability. MEAN support open source frameworks using cloud repositories. mongoDB is also used
to deal with cloud usage.
Conclusion
MEAN stack is highly flexible and modern technology that is very popular among developers. All the
components are open source in nature, allowing a free of charge and generous opportunity for the
developers. Whether you are building a high-throughput API, simple web application or a
microservice, MEAN is the optimal choice.