Best JavaScript Frameworks, Libraries and Tools to use in 2017

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Best JavaScript Frameworks, Libraries and Tools to use in 2017

The following content is summarized from sitepoint.com.

Libraries
A library is an organized collection of useful functionality. A typical library could include functions to handle strings, dates, HTML DOM elements, events, cookies, animations, network requests, and more. Each function returns values to the calling application which can be implemented however you choose. Think of it like a selection of car components: you’re free to use any to help construct a working vehicle but you must build the engine yourself.

Libraries normally provide a higher level of abstraction which smooths over implementation details and inconsistencies. For example, Ajax normally relies on the XMLHttpRequest API but this requires several lines of code and there are subtle differences across browsers. A library may provide a simpler ajax() function so you’re free to concentrate on higher-level business logic.

A library could cut development time by 20% because you don’t have to worry about the finer details. The downsides:

a bug within a library can be difficult to locate and fix
there’s no guarantee the development team will release a patch quickly
a patch could change the API and incur significant changes to your code.

Frameworks
A framework is an application skeleton. It requires you to approach software design in a specific way and insert your own logic at certain points. Functionality such as events, storage, and data binding are normally provided for you. Using the car analogy, a framework provides a working chassis, body, and engine. You can add, remove or tinker with some components presuming the vehicle remains operational.

A framework normally provides a higher level of abstraction than a library and will help you rapidly build the first 80% of your project. The downsides:

the last 20% can be tough going if your application moves beyond the confines of the framework
framework updates can be difficult – if not impossible
core framework code and concepts rarely age well. Developers will always discover a better way to do the same thing.

Tools
A tool aids development but is not an integral part of your project. Tools include build systems, compilers, transpilers, code minifiers, image compressors, deployment mechanisms and more.

Tools should provide an easier development process. For example, many coders prefer Sass to CSS because it provides code separation, nesting, render-time variables, loops, and functions. Browsers do not understand Sass/SCSS syntax so the code must be compiled to CSS using an appropriate tool before testing and deployment.

JavaScript Frameworks and Libraries
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jQuery
React
Lodash and Underscore
AngularJS 1.x
Angular 2.x (now 4.x)
Vue.js
Backbone.js
Ember.js
Knockout.js

Tools: General-Purpose Task Runners
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Gulp.js
npm
Grunt

Tools: Module Bundlers
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Webpack
Browserify
RequireJS

Tools: Linting
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ESLint
JSHint
JSLint
Mocha
Jasmine
QUnit


Read more at: https://www.sitepoint.com/top-javascript-frameworks-libraries-tools-use/
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