Deciding on an apt technology stack for software development puts professionals in a really tough spot. From the project’s success to the work efficiency, there are lots more at stake with this choice. Therefore, deciding in haste will leave open room for regrets later on. Once the development commences, there’s no way the stack can be remodified from scratch all over again. So, most developers rely on a pre-defined tech stack rather than forming a custom one. Out of different options, MEAN is said to be an all-in-one technology stack, comprising the major technologies to be used for software development.
Introducing MEAN stack: A brief description to look into
The moment you hear the word, “MEAN”, you might think whether it’s a new framework introduced in the market or a programming language. Well, that’s not the case! The term is an abbreviated form for the compilation of four technologies, namely MongoDB, Express, Angular, and Node.js. In the below section, we have explained the role of each tech in the software development life cycle.
- Node leverages JavaScript and renders the server-side code without relying on the browser. It allows you to see the outputs directly on the web browser, even if there is no backend logic implemented yet.
- The frontend code is handled through Angular JS. It is an open-source framework that will allow you to define the design elements and UI components using CSS, Typescript, and a template code.
- Next is MongoDB, which is a document-based database and provides detailed XML formats for JSON requests. You can also use it as a NoSQL database and perform related functions like creating collections, inserting new records, and updating the existing information with ease.
- The last technology used is Express JS. It allows developers to build web applications by acting as a bridge for API communication between the frontend layers and backend business logic.
What are the salient features of the MEAN technology stack?
Determined to use a technology stack based on others’ recommendations without knowing about its basic features and functionalities might create a disastrous situation. If you do not assess its compatibility with the development project plan, there could be different issues later on. So, rather than wasting time in resolving the problems and rebuilding the tech stack from scratch once again, you should learn the features of the MEAN stack. Having said that, we have compiled a list of the key features that this tech stack offers for web application development projects of different sizes.
JavaScript-based
The MEAN stack comprises technologies that utilize JavaScript as the primary programming language. Hence, you won’t have to go back and forth between different programming languages by any means. Both the backend and frontend logic will be written in JS codes, allowing professionals to easily tackle the interim complexities and seamlessly develop the web applications. Besides, you also won’t have to recruit anyone with specific skills, like proficiency in HTML, Java, Python, and so on.
Enhanced scalability
While working on a web application development project at a commercial level, you will require technologies that are capable of handling huge data volumes and traffic. Otherwise, it can restrict the progress of SDLC, causing unprecedented events like system outages, corrupted or lost data, and slowed server-side rendering speed. This is where the MEAN stack comes into play! The four technologies involved are highly scalable, meaning that they can internally optimize their functioning on the go based on the incoming traffic and data volume. For example, Node.js can easily render different UI components based on API requests, regardless of the size and memory consumption.
Open-source
All the technologies involved with the MEAN stack are open-source, meaning that a large community of skilled and experienced developers backs them. Besides, they are free to use, which reduces the overall project budget by a significant amount and allows developers to use lightweight frameworks for implementation. You won’t have to worry about bearing any unnecessary licensing or subscription costs once you utilize the MEAN stack for a web application development project.
Flexibility
Nowadays, most organizations and businesses outsourcing software development services expect professionals to deliver custom proposals that can cater to their specific requirement attributes. However, most tech stacks do not provide the flexibility for personalization, which further hinders the plan of developing custom features for the software. Hence, using the MEAN stack seems to be a much more feasible decision as the involved technologies offer an impeccable level of flexibility. In other words, you can use each technology to perform a dedicated task. For example, Angular and Node allow the creation of highly interactive user interfaces. On the other hand, MongoDB is best suited for handling and storing unstructured datasets, regardless of the volume.
Support for CSS and HTML
Since Angular is one of the primary technologies involved with the MEAN stack, you get the opportunity to develop highly interactive and user-friendly interfaces for web applications. It allows professionals to render the UI components based on HTML codes and CSS styling templates.
Conclusion
A reputable and expert mean stack development company leverages these key features to build and deploy scalable, flexible, and high-end web applications. It not only allows professionals to work on custom modules but also scale the business logic at ease without writing the codebase in different languages. Hence, putting your bets on the MEAN stack won’t bring you any loss for the SDLC.
