MEAN Stack: The Best for Your Web App Development?

Every web or enterprise application needs certain technology (like programming languages, frameworks, platforms) or technology stack to develop it based on customer needs. 

The technology stack encloses many languages and frameworks as one list to build a particular application. There are billions of websites and web apps hosted and used by people. Hence, the demand for developing a web app has increased along with the increased use of technology stacks. 

In this, MEAN is one of the popular technology stacks trusted by a strong developer community to build web applications. We will discuss how this MEAN stack is useful for your web application development.

MEAN Stack 

MEAN is a JavaScript-based technology stack for building websites and web apps that are dynamic. A stack is a set of elements grouped to perform particular functions in app development. MEAN applications can use one language for server-side and client-side environments as they support all programs in JavaScript. So, it is an added advantage of using the MEAN stack for your web applications. Also, JavaScript is the most preferred programming language for web development.

MEAN Stack Application Architecture 

MEAN comprises MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js. All these JavaScript environments are popular among developers. So, individually, each one contributes to its features to build a web application or website. But, MEAN stack (all together) will benefit you in a lot of ways, which we will discuss later. 

The architecture of the MEAN is well explained by its four components:

1. MongoDB
2. Express.js
3. Angular
4. Node.js

Let’s see the components below:

MongoDB 

MongoDB is a database for storing data. Using JavaScript as a query programming language, MongoDB stores any data size without causing interruptions in the stack. It is a cross-platform data storing system. Therefore, the website or web applications can use MongoDB to save all the data in the app, as it also encloses JavaScript.

Express.js 

Any application development includes frontend (client-side) development and backend (server-side) development along with the database to control the data. 

Express.js (aka Express) takes care of the backend development of the MEAN stack application. It is a web application framework for Node.js that serves fast and secure web apps and helps make the development process simple and easy. 

Angular 

AngularJS is a popular frontend (client-side) framework for developing web applications. Built by Google, AngularJS is the most used framework by developers. AngularJS (the first version) has upgraded to many new versions, like Angular 2 to Angular 9, and Angular is still in the process because of its modularity. It provides many modules for a single application. 

Many large companies, like Google, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, PayPal, etc., are using Angular in their technology stack. This shows the popularity of Angular.

Node.js 

Node.js is a runtime environment based on JavaScript for developing faster applications. As an open-source and server-side (backend) platform, Node.js is used to build scalable applications. 

As per stats, 28,000 websites are using this Node.js platform. It serves as a backend for many popular business websites, like eBay, AliExpress, etc. So, Node.js is also one of the most used environments in the JavaScript language and, hence, is the best part of the MEAN stack.

Working Process of MEAN Stack 

These four components complete the MEAN stack architecture with the following working process: 

• Whenever the client makes a request in the application, it hits AngularJS as it is the client-side framework. 
• This request from AngularJS passes into Node.js, the backend environment, through Express.js, a web framework for Node.js. 
• Express.js then allows the request to reach the database 
• MongoDB, where the database is controlled, accepts the request and sends the response to Express.js. 
• Finally, from Express.js to Node.js and from Node.js to AngularJS, the response will reach the user.

These steps will help you get secure and faster web applications. Hence using the MEAN stack is a good choice. 

Reasons for Using MEAN Stack for Web Applications 

Now, we will discuss the reasons for using this MEAN stack in detail. These benefits will help you understand how the MEAN stack is useful for developing web applications. 

Don’t Be Overwhelmed With Multiple Programming Languages 

As previously stated, one of the important advantages of using MEAN stack is to use a single programming language that is JavaScript. Since JavaScript is applicable for frontend and backend development, the MEAN stack developers find it easy to implement this technology in the app development. This one simple language will help you save time without focusing on multiple languages.

Develop Flexible Applications 

Another point in the MEAN stack is its flexible feature. Due to the higher flexibility in the MEAN stack, it can be helpful for a single app to enterprise app development. This flexibility is not only useful in the development part but also plays a vital role during the testing process. Adding an element is easier in the MEAN stack process.

See Better Performance in Apps 

As the MEAN stack’s four components (from MongoDB to Node.js) provide various individual benefits, the MEAN stack web application is developed with high performance. 

MongoDB will add any new element easily by controlling the database. Express.js is well-worked with Node.js. 

Since Node.js provides optimal performance in comparison to existing platforms, Node.js can run in different operating systems easily. Also, for the frontend part, Angular is taking care of testing, reusable code, etc. In simple, Node.js and Angular are a powerful pack of MEAN stack frameworks that improve application performance.

JSON Is Used 

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is used in AngularJS and Node.js. JSON is a kind of file or data interchange format that is used in the MEAN stack to exchange data without issues in all layers of the application. This is an added benefit.

Cloud Compatibility and Integration 

MongoDB in the MEAN stack is a needed part as it helps you host the applications in the cloud easily. MongoDB is the best choice for cloud-based technologies. Also, the four components in the MEAN stack are available for free; it helps in reducing the development cost and memory. MongoDB helps reduce disk space costs by providing better cloud solutions.

Isomorphic Coding Is Integrated 

With the help of isomorphic coding and MEAN stack features, transferring code from one framework to another is easier. It is a top feature for web application development. This isomorphism feature is the best part of this stack, helping the application be more reliable. 

High Speed and Cost-Effective 

As the title says, the MEAN stack is completely helpful in building high-speed applications. Since the components are free and open-source, app development is inexpensive when compared to other technologies. 

These features and benefits indicate that MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js (MEAN) are the best technology stacks for building your websites and web applications.

MEAN Stack Examples 

Most large-scale companies include MEAN in their technology stack. Now, we will see the MEAN stack real-time applications. These applications are built with Angular and Node.js as part of the MEAN stack:

• YouTube 
• Forbes 
• Tumblr 
• Flickr 
• Facebook 
• WhatsApp 
• Instagram 
• Netflix 
• Paytm 

Due to the user-friendly features in the MEAN stack, like a cost-effective, single programming language, better performance, and security, the above-listed platforms use this MEAN technology. 

I hope these MEAN stack sample applications give you some ideas to build your web apps or websites.

MEAN Stack vs MERN Stack 

MERN stack is similar to MEAN stack where the only different component in MERN stack is Angular (‘A’) is replaced with React (‘R’). React is also a framework for developing the User Interface (UI) of web applications. React is also based on JavaScript. 

For developing small applications, the development time of the MERN stack is lower when compared to the MEAN stack. Thus, for small apps, the MERN stack is better. But, for building large enterprise applications, like your business web apps, the MEAN stack is applicable as it provides more features beyond the MERN stack. 

Simple Difference Between Full Stack and Mean Stack Development

A lot of you get confused about the terms full stack and mean stack. Let’s break the confusion with a simple definition. 

Full stack app development is the complete process that includes the development of the frontend and backend of an app. This app development may include many programming languages and frameworks like JavaScript, PHP, Python, Angular, .NET, etc. From this, you can choose the best technology that satisfies your app requirements. 

MEAN is the technology stack used for building full-stack web applications. So, without using two languages, like PHP or Python, you can use this MEAN stack for your app development as it is based on a single language (i.e., JS).

Summary: 

Final Words

MEAN is the best technology stack to create websites or web applications. 

So, without wasting time using multiple languages and frameworks for your application, you should try MEAN stack, as it has many advantages to enhance your app features.