MERN Stack is a JavaScript Stack that is used for easier and faster deployment of full-stack web applications. MERN Stack comprises 4 technologies namely: MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js. It is designed to make the development process smoother and easier.
Table of Content
MERN Full Form:
The full form of MERN includes MongoDB, Express, React JS, and Node JS. These technologies cover all 3 layers of a web application i.e. Presentation, Logic, and the Data layer.
- MongoDB: Non-relational open-source document-oriented database.
- Express JS: Node.js framework that makes it easier to organize your application’s functionality with middleware and routing and simplify APIs.
- React JS: It is an open-source, component-based JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
- Node JS: is an open-source and cross-platform runtime environment for building highly scalable server-side applications using JavaScript.
What is MERN Stack?
MERN Stack is a JavaScript Stack that is used for easier and faster deployment of full-stack web applications. MERN Stack comprises 4 technologies namely: MongoDB, Express, React and Node.js. It is designed to make the development process smoother and easier. It is one of the most demanded tech stack between developers for creating full fledge web applications. Although it is a Stack of different technologies, all of these are based on JavaScript language.
There are variations to the MERN stack such as MEAN (replacing React.js with Angular.js) and MEVN (using Vue.js). The MERN stack is one of the most popular technology concepts for building web applications.
Overview of each Technology:
1. MongoDB: Cross-platform Document-Oriented Database
MongoDB is a NoSQL database where each record is a document comprising key-value pairs that are similar to JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) objects. MongoDB is flexible and allows its users to create schema, databases, tables, etc. Documents that are identifiable by a primary key make up the basic unit of MongoDB. Once MongoDB is installed, users can make use of Mongo shell as well. Mongo shell provides a JavaScript interface through which the users can interact and carry out operations (eg: querying, updating records, deleting records).
Why use MongoDB?
- Fast – Being a document-oriented database, easy to index documents. Therefore a faster response.
- Scalability – Large data can be handled by dividing it into several machines.
- Use of JavaScript – MongoDB uses JavaScript which is the biggest advantage.
- Schema Less – Any type of data in a separate document.
- Data stored in the form of JSON.
- Simple Environment Setup – Its really simple to set up MongoDB.
- Flexible Document Model – MongoDB supports document-model(tables, schemas, columns & SQL) which is faster and easier.
Links to learn more about MongoDB:
- MongoDB Introduction
- MongoDB Tutorial
- MongoDB Getting Started
- Defining, Creating and Dropping a MongoDB collection
- How MongoDB works ?
- Get Knowledge of Latest Release of MongoDB
2. Express: Back-End Framework:
Express is a Node.js framework. Rather than writing the code using Node.js and creating loads of Node modules, Express makes it simpler and easier to write the back-end code. Express helps in designing great web applications and APIs. Express supports many middlewares which makes the code shorter and easier to write.
Why use Express?
- Asynchronous and Single-threaded.
- Efficient, fast & scalable
- Has the biggest community for Node.js
- Express promotes code reusability with its built-in router.
- Robust API
Links to learn more about ExpressJS:
3. React: Front-End Library
React is a JavaScript library that is used for building user interfaces. React is used for the development of single-page applications and mobile applications because of its ability to handle rapidly changing data. React allows users to code in JavaScript and create UI components.
Why use React?
- Virtual DOM – A virtual DOM object is a representation of a DOM object. Virtual DOM is actually a copy of the original DOM.
- JSX – Stands for JavaScript XML. It is an HTML/XML JavaScript Extension which is used in React.
- Components – ReactJS supports Components. Components are the building blocks of UI wherein each component has a logic and contributes to the overall UI.
- High Performance – Features like Virtual DOM, JSX and Components makes it much faster than the rest of the frameworks out there.
- Developing Android/Ios Apps – With React Native you can easily code Android-based or IOS-Based apps with just the knowledge of JavaScript and ReactJS.
Links to learn more about ReactJS:
4. Node.js: JS Runtime Environment
Node.js provides a JavaScript Environment which allows the user to run their code on the server (outside the browser). Node pack manager i.e. npm allows the user to choose from thousands of free packages (node modules) to download.
Why use Node.JS?
- Open-source JavaScript Runtime Environment
- Single threading – Follows a single-threaded model.
- Data Streaming
- Fast – Built on Google Chrome’s JavaScript Engine, Node.js has a fast code execution.
- Highly Scalable
Links to learn more about Node.js:
Benefits of Learing MERN Stack:
- High Demand: Companies are always on the lookout for developers who can handle the entire stack form UI to Backend and Data Management. MERN developers in the tech world are rare and in high demand.
- Community Support: MERN stack has a great community support around each component of the stack.
- Scalability: MERN is designed to be scalable. It provide great flexibility and scalability as the application grows for every component.
- Real-Time Applications: MERN stack is a greate choice for building real-time applications e.g. chat applications or other tools. The WebSocket support in Node.js makes real-time communication a breeze.
- Learning Curve Synergy: Once you’re familiar with one part of the stack, transitioning to the others becomes smoother. React and Node.js, for example, share some similarities, making it easier for you to grasp and master.
- Job Opportunities: As more companies are adopting MERN for their projects, knowing your way around this stack can open up many job opportunities. It’s a solid investment in career.