What is MERN stack and why do we use it?

MERN stands for MongoDB, Express.JS, React, and Node.js. It is a collection of techniques, solutions, and tools. The ultimate goal of using stacks is to help developers be agile in their development.

The MERN stack is a JavaScript powered stack. These are the four components below.

1. MongoDb

an open-source document-oriented database that is designed to store a large scale of data and also allows you to work with that data very efficiently. It is categorized under the NoSQL (Not only SQL) database because the storage and retrieval of data in the MongoDB are not in the form of tables.

Pros of using MongoDB:

MongoDB offers scalable document-oriented database storage. That makes it ideal for applications requiring real-time scalabilities like large social networks or e-commerce websites.
It stores data in flexible documents rather than rows and columns, so developers can use JavaScript code to operate on data directly instead of needing separate objects between your application & database layer.
There’s a lot more flexibility when working with Mongo as opposed to SQL databases.
Data are dynamic, schema-free. Documents are not required to have a uniform structure over time.
A wide variety of data types are supported by default, with user-defined kinds available. It makes it easy to model more complex data sets than more superficial key/value-based structures.

Cons of using MongoDB:

MongoDB’s online documentation is somewhat outdated, with many articles focusing on setting up a production server.
Developers who use MongoDB must learn a new approach to structuring data. While some find that simplicity liberating, others find it frustrating.

2. Express Js

a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications.

Pros of using ExpressJS:

The primary benefit of using ExpressJS is its ability to use JavaScript on both the front end and backend.
It allows you to use Javascript for everything. Thus it saves you time during development.
It is also more efficient since both frontend/backend developers share a common language, making communication easier. It makes your team more agile, allowing them to pivot quicker on new ideas or software changes that come up.
As JavaScript is constantly evolving, any new updates with JS will be reflected in Express, allowing you easier access to new features as they arrive.

Cons of using ExpressJS:

You will often find sites where ExpressJS or another Node JS framework works, but Express does not work alone.
Specific frameworks do not get along with Express, which can cause memory leaks or crashes if specific things get not placed in particular orders.

3. React Js

a free and open-source front-end JavaScript library for building user interfaces based on UI components

Pros of using ReactJS:

One of React’s key differentiators is how quickly it renders on your screen. Whether you’re generating a simple website or an elaborate piece of software, its speed will help make your users feel like they aren’t waiting around for your content to load.
While there are several JavaScript libraries to choose from, React has emerged as one of (if not) most flexible among them.
Its code is clean, uncluttered, and to the point. It may take you a while before grasping its concepts completely, but it’s one of the more accessible JavaScript libraries for frontend developers from a getting started perspective.
Two-Way Data Binding, by default, saves you from extra complexity in your components. It keeps them simple and makes debugging easier because things are always in sync.

Cons of using ReactJS:

The fact that components are entirely independent can make debugging difficult, especially when multiple parts of a more giant app cause bugs.
Additionally, if code has got imported from third-party websites, you may have no way to get support directly from Facebook. It is true even if there are issues with an individual component.

4. Node Js

an open-source, cross-platform, back-end JavaScript runtime environment that runs on a JavaScript Engine and executes JavaScript code outside a web browser, which was designed to build scalable network applications.

Pros of using Node.js:

The most significant b-enefit to using Node is that it is cross-platform to be deployed on any system from a PC to a Mac to Linux or even a mobile device with sufficient processing power.
When your selected Node.js development company is working on a development project, you want to get it out to users as soon as possible. The development time in Node is amazing: because there’s no compilation step, and JavaScript handles concurrency by itself. Thus, you can iterate extremely quickly.
Node.js gets well documented online. There are hundreds of resources about its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if you want to use it for your next project.
Its asynchronous event loop structure allows it to run non-blocking I/O code, highly scalable with low overhead.
Node.js uses a single-threaded event loop with a non-blocking I/O model that performs most operations asynchronously with a callback mechanism. It is similar to Javascript callbacks, enabling it to utilize all available CPU cores at 100% when under load while giving each connection its thread.

MERN is getting more and more popular every day. That's because it offers a complete set of tools to facilitate agile methodologies. Another big reason behind its popularity is its JavaScript affiliation. JavaScript has always been the number one choice when it comes to building web applications.

How does the MERN stack works?

The interactions between the components are interesting. Initially, the user interacts with the UI components developed using React – the project's frontend.

The frontend is then served by the backend of the application using a server. The backend is handled by ExpressJS, on top of NodeJS.

The MongoDB database takes care of the database aspects of web applications. NodeJS handles data requests and fetches the required data from the MongoDB database. Once done, it then sends the data to the frontend, which is then displayed to the user according to the UI component.

Business Benefits of Using the MERN Technology Stack

1. Open-Source Technology

Startups prefer MERN because it’s an open-source code that’s constantly being improved upon by tech experts from around the world. All the components of the MERN stack are open source, and thus you can use it to create robust web apps.

For example, AngularJS is an open-source frontend framework explicitly created to address some of the issues inherent in earlier versions of HTML and JavaScript. Frameworks like these improve coding efficiency and provide countless tools to help you build more advanced apps faster.

Open-source technology also comes with no vendor lock-in, so if you decide to move on or change something later on down the line, there won’t be any extra hoops you need to jump through.

2. Free Templates are Available Online

Free templates are available online, which will save you tons of time. It would have taken me at least three times as long to customize a theme compared to downloading an off-the-shelf solution. You’ll also get help from experts if you run into any issues along the way.

Many platforms have online communities where you can post questions and get feedback on your code directly from other developers working with that platform. It’s always easier to learn when experts are there to hold your hand!

3. Allows You to Build Fast

The MERN stacks rely on open-source technologies that developers can use freely, which means you don’t have to build everything from scratch. For example, if you want a blogging platform, chances are someone has already developed a popular framework like WordPress.

All you need to do is pay detailed attention to any setup instructions and customize as needed. This kind of plug-and-play approach gives you an edge against more prominent companies that might not understand (or care about) such emerging platforms. The bigger they are, after all, the more likely they stick with proven solutions.

Note: With rapid project development, the savings are massive, especially when hiring MERN developers on an hourly model.

4. Easy to Use

The underlying technology gets so well documented that you can deploy it with ease. It’s simple to understand and use, making it an ideal choice for beginners learning web development.

With so many tools available to developers, it can be challenging to decide which ones are worth learning about. The minimalist nature of these tools makes them easier to learn since there are fewer moving parts you need to understand to use them effectively.

If you’re just getting started with web development, I would recommend starting with a MERN stack app, as it will give you an accessible introduction to web application development without being overkill right out of the gate.

Then once you’ve mastered how these tools work together, expand your knowledge by adding additional features or switching out components as needed.

5. Full-Stack Development

MERN’s full-stack development approach means you’re responsible for building an application’s frontend and backend components. This approach draws on principles from both UI design and software engineering.

It is increasingly popular with startups since it can save them money by not having to bring in outside developers separately for the frontend and backend of the project.

6. Great Community Support

This set of technologies is backed by a solid community, making it easier to find answers to all sorts of technical questions that may come up. Thus when you’re unsure how something works or why there’s usually someone else who has already encountered (and fixed) similar problems. Source: Statista- Most Popular Programming Languages

It speeds up development times, allowing you to release your product faster and cheaper than you would with other stacks. As a bonus, thanks to Node.js’s popularity, many people are already experienced with JavaScript; frontend engineers know CSS and HTML5.

7. Offers Native Experience to the Users

Native applications are more robust, secure and can provide a more compelling experience for users. So when startups develop mobile apps, they usually build them on top of hybrid frameworks like Ionic or React Native.

Although these frameworks are remarkable, they run on web technologies that offer little performance or deep integration with devices. A mobile application built on MERN leverages native features like camera access and will be able to seamlessly sync data between offline and online states within an app.

It makes it easier to monetize and allows developers to devote time towards features that create real value rather than fixate on things that get it working! Unfortunately, it is not possible when developing apps on top of hybrid technologies.

Conclusion

This brings us to the end of our article, where we briefly discuss MERN and then shift our focus to the benefits and popularity of MERN. There is no doubt that MERN's popularity stems from its components and the use of JavaScript. Another reason behind its popularity is its low learning curve, easy implementation, open-source nature and MVC support.

"stay hungry, stay foolish"

-- Steve Job