Top JavaScript Trends to Watch in 2021

Analyzing Frontend Framework Trends for 2021

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In recent years, there's been a clear top trio in the realm of frontend frameworks: React, Angular, and Vue.js. However, with evolving technology and dynamic preferences, there have been notable shifts.

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React: A Dominant Force

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React's stronghold within the frontend community is undeniable. The latest State of JS survey confirms React's dominance in terms of both usage and awareness. This isn't expected to waver in 2021. The continuous enhancements and pioneering contributions to this tool make it a preferred choice for numerous developers and clients. Its features, such as hooks, concurrent mode, and an imminent component-based server approach, ensure React remains relevant and optimized for the 2021 web development landscape.

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Vue.js: Continuous Evolution

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Vue's journey has been marked by constant growth. 2020 saw the launch of Vue.js 3.0, bringing enhanced application performance, reduced package sizes, and vastly improved TypeScript support.

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TypeScript: Bridging the Gaps of JavaScript

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Introduced by Microsoft in 2012, TypeScript is essentially a superset of JavaScript. Born out of the unrestricted nature of object types in JavaScript, TypeScript introduces optional types, addressing this limitation. Additionally, enums are introduced to facilitate better code organization. The State of JS survey confirms TypeScript's dominant position, highlighting its added features that cater to long-felt needs among JavaScript developers.

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Svelte: The Dark Horse

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Marcin Gajda predicts a promising future for Svelte. With added features, it might soon surpass Vue, emerging as a formidable lightweight alternative to giants like Angular and React. Svelte's potential especially shines when considering application development for "thin clients."

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Diving Deep into Data Layer Management

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GraphQL, a query language introduced by Facebook in 2015, offers a flexible syntax for data querying from both ends: backend and frontend. Its adoption by giants like GitHub, Pinterest, and Shopify showcases its growing importance. While 89.6% of developers, aware of GraphQL, express eagerness to learn it, Redux remains the prevalent data management tool, used by 67% of developers. However, there's a discernible dip in Redux's satisfaction ratings.

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Looking Ahead

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While 2021 might seem like an extension of 2020 in terms of JS trends, it's crucial to keep an eye on emerging technologies like TypeScript, Svelte, and Apollo. This overview aimed to present a snapshot of JS frontend trends and data layer management. Stay tuned for future explorations into backend trends, mobile development, and a deeper dive into the nuances of the data layer in development.

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Written by Julian Alzate

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