What is Vue.js?

Vue.js is a javascript framework that developers mainly use to create interactive user interfaces. When compared to AngularJS, this framework is lighter and more adaptable, which is why many developers, from beginners to experts, prefer it.

Javascript has no shortage of valuable frameworks to enhance the programming language’s capabilities. Vue.js is one of the most popular and widely used javascript frameworks, alongside AngularJS, another widely used framework for developing strong front end projects.

So, what is Vue.js all about?

Vue.js comprises several libraries, the most important of which is the core library, which focuses on the view section of the project, which is the frontend.

Vue.js also has the following advantages:

• It is simple and straightforward.
• It’s convenient to integrate with other libraries and projects.

What is Vue.js Used For?

Vue.js is primarily for creating interactive and visually appealing web interfaces and one-page applications. The perks of Vue.js broaden with the aid of HTML extensions and other useful plugins. Developers also use it for desktop and mobile applications.

So, how can we develop such intrinsic web interfaces?

Vue comes with a feature called MVC or Model View Controller architecture. Using this architecture, developers can view the interface of their project, may it be a mobile app or a desktop app or a website. This lightweight and functional feature explain why many developers prefer Vue. 

Vue.js is also simple and quick to learn. Vue.js is an excellent place to start for beginners who are unfamiliar with the concept of frameworks. 

You’ll only need a fundamental understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. As a natural consequence, you’ll be able to quickly grasp and apply the features to the project you’re working on.

Learning Vue.js and adding the framework in the skills section of your resume will definitely earn you brownie points because Vue.js is one of the top 5 most used web frameworks used by developers.

Large corporations are using Vue.js like Nintendo, Louis Vuitton, Adobe, BMW, Google, and even Apple to design their front end-user interfaces.

Now let’s look into other compelling reasons why you should use Vue.js for UI web development:

Vue.js Is Compact in Size

The size of Vue.js is one of the first and most pivotal reasons why it is more reliable and preferable. The size ranges between 18 and 21 KB, making it much easier to download and use.

Vue.js, unlike its predecessors React.js and Angular.js, is lightweight and swift.

Easy to Integrate  

Vue.js is simple to integrate into existing applications. That’s right, developers can use Vue.js to create new projects and modify existing ones because the framework provides components for practically anything.

Enhance Project Performance

If you are working on a project that is in dire need of a performance boost, rewriting it using Vue may be quite the help.  

Since modifying existing applications with Vue is so straightforward and easy, you won’t have to worry about rewriting the source code. Instead, you can emphasise the parts that need to be altered or updated.

Vue.js Is an Object-Oriented Framework

As an object-oriented framework, developers can write less complicated syntax codes. Eventually, the user can easily modify parts of the code with the use of tools. Furthermore, Vue.js can render elements automatically without the need for coding, making development considerably easier and saving time and effort. 

Convenient Conventions

Writing boilerplate code is always exhausting and time-consuming. But that’s not the case for Vue.js since the framework provides you with a lot of built-in solutions and saves you some time.

Vue.js Is a Developer-Friendly Framework

The goal of Vue.js is to assist developers by saving them time and reducing complications. 

Vue-CLI is one such function that is quite useful to developers. This application allows you to configure, execute, analyse, and test a project using the tools of your choice. Vue-CLI is far more flexible, with a large number of pre-configured settings.

The Framework Is Simple and User-Friendly

Vue is a user-friendly platform that offers assistance and essential tools to developers, making programming considerably easier.

Features of Vue.js

Now we know how helpful Vue.js can be. Before beginning to learn Vue.js, here are some features you should know:

Virtual DOM

Virtual DOM is utilised by Vue.js, as well as other frameworks like React, Ember, and others. Instead of implementing changes to the DOM, a replica of the DOM is constructed and stored in the form of JavaScript data structures. 

Any modifications to the JavaScript data structures are made first, and then the latter is compared to the original data structure. The final changes are subsequently applied to the real DOM, where they will be visible to the user. This is advantageous in terms of optimisation because it is less expensive and allows for faster modifications.

Data Binding

With the help of a binding directive called v-bind provided by Vue.js, the data binding functionality allows you to edit or assign values to HTML attributes, change the style, and assign classes.

Animation/Transition

Vue.js offers a built-in transition component that must be wrapped around the element for the transition effect. When HTML elements are added, changed, or removed from the DOM, Vue.js provides a variety of ways to apply the transition. 

We can easily integrate third-party animation libraries and increase the interface’s interactivity.

Directives

Vue.js has built-in directives to perform various actions on the front end. They are: v-if, v-else, v-show, v-on, v-bind, and v-model.

Conditions

Conditional data binding is provided by a primary yet effective function. This function is similar to the if and if-else statements we use in other languages such as python, C++ etc.

Users can instruct Vue only to connect data if a specific value is true. The directives v-if and v-else can be used for this. The v-if template executes if the value a programmer wants to assess is true. Otherwise, the v-else option is invoked.

Loops

Vue.js also includes a basic API protocol for looping through arrays. It’s as simple as getting the target array and inserting the v-for directive. Furthermore, because the array relates to objects, users will be able to see properties right here. Separate entities that distinct properties can iterate can also use the v-for feature.

Components 

Users in Vue can also use components that are similar in many aspects in other libraries. To construct these objects, you’ll need to use Vue.component, which has a name or identifier as well as a configuration. 

Coders can provide templates and anticipated properties to be inserted into the DOM. Developers can pass the props using the v-bind function.

Handlers and Events 

Events contain the complete history of the interaction between users and apps. Because circumstances can be challenging to handle, developers can assign handlers to tell apps what to do when a specific event is triggered. 

In Vue, programmers create events with v-on directives along with colons to specify the event’s type. For instance, v-on: click.

Computed Properties

Vue.js has this as one of its distinguishing features. It assists in understanding the changes made to the UI elements and executes the required actions without the need for further coding.

Watchers

The code is fast and straightforward because Watcher handles any data updates. When data changes, watchers are applied. Form input elements, for example. We don’t need to add any further events in this case.

Routing 

Developers use Vue-router to navigate from one page to the next.

Pros and Cons of Vue.js

Vue.js, like every other programming language or framework, has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of Vue.js:

The pros:

• Lightweight – The Vue.js framework is a lightweight framework. It simply takes about 18 kb and a few seconds to download.

• Easy to Learn – Unlike other frameworks like Angular and React, which is known to have massive and complicated libraries and require particular notions such as JSX or TypeScript to fathom them. To completely comprehend and grasp the framework, you only need a rudimentary understanding of HTML, CSS, and javascript.

• A Powerful Set of Tools – Vue.js includes a robust collection of tools for unit and end-to-end testing, as well as a plugin installation system. Add in the fact that Vue.js has its own browser. Debugging tools, server renderer, and state manager are other useful tools provided by Vue.js.
  
• Active Community – Vue.js has a vibrant online community that is not only active but also supportive. Github, Stackoverflow, Reddit, and discord all have sections dedicated to resolving any issue that novices to Vue.js are likely to encounter.

• DOM – When a user modifies a section of a webpage, the entire page is reloaded to reflect the changes. Not only is this cumbersome, but it is also a waste of time and data. As a result, Vue.js creates a virtual duplicate of the original DOM that keeps track of which components or parts of the page will need to be refreshed as data changes. Vue.js outperforms React JS and Angular in terms of application performance and speed.

• Two-Way Data Binding – Vue.js has two-way data binding, which it inherited from its predecessor, Angular. The bound data in Vue.js is updated as the DOM objects change in real-time, and this responsiveness makes data updating much more concise and straightforward. The user interfaces view, and model data changes are linked in this way. This makes updating connected components and tracking the data that is updated a lot easier.

• Code Readability – Vue stores components in separate files. Hence, in case of any errors, or bug detection, it becomes easier for you to access a piece of code and fix the bug.

• Good for Unit-Testing – Unit testing is much simplified when components are present. Its goal is to figure out how the app’s tiniest components work independently.

The Cons: 

• Language Barriers – Many of the parts, codes, and tutorials are in Chinese. Beginners may struggle to understand it because the majority of the components are in another language.

• Lack of Financial Support for Large-scale Projects – As a fledgling framework, Vue still lacks funds when contrasted to more established frameworks like Angular. As a result, it does not receive significant financial backing from businesses that can fund an app development team capable of promptly resolving challenges.

Despite this, Vue is seeing an increase in demand from technological titans like Google, IBM, and Adobe, albeit on smaller projects.

• Over Flexibility – In large projects with many developers, Vue.js’ flexibility becomes an issue that can be resolved if a large community is present. There may be times when Vue.js’s extreme flexibility causes more mistakes and complicates the project.

• Limited Resources – Despite significant growth in the past couple of years, Vue still has a long way to go. The difference is in the hundreds in terms of the number of plugins available for its counterparts and itself.

Vue has certain plugins that can be used with various frameworks, although they aren’t well backed. As a result, Vue.js still has a long way to go.

Learn basic JavaScript

With the growing demand for frontend languages such as Javascript, knowing about its frameworks is important. Instead of shying away, try asking on Vue.js communities in case of any doubts. However, if you’re completely new to JavaScript, then try our free 5 Day Coding Challenge. On it, you will learn the basics of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. It takes just one hour a day over five days. Register now through the form below. Alternatively, if you want to learn full stack software development, you can read more about our programme here.