Vue, Wordpress, MEAN, MERN, Doesnt Matter! Why we shouldnt emphasize too much on tech tools

Every once in a while we see things like this emerge in our feed:

• React is better than Vue
• Vue is better than React
• Svelte is the new thing, people
• I still think Jquery is the best
• WordPress is useless
• PHP powers the whole web so use it
• Dump everything, use JamStack!
• MEVN is the best JavaScript stack
• No, MERN is the best stack
• Hey, MEAN here
• This is better
• That is better

I am going to give my two cents on the issue:

It doesnt really matter. Yes it doesnt!

Let me make something clear here: every single technology was created for a main purpose

Initially jQuery was created mainly to manipulate the DOM and to improve the UX with animation methods methods like show(), hide(), slideUp() and so on. But then direct manipulation became a problem especially for complex applications. The performance issues were accentuated.

Then came React and Vue. Both utilized the virtual DOM mechanism for rendering web elements. One of the other big strength of these two is how easy it is to build UI components. Something you couldnt get with jQuery.

Wordpress was created so anyone who doesnt know how to code can still build cool websites.

PHP may have an ugly syntax but it remains the main language behind Wordpress which powers a significant part of the web.

Bootstrap was created so you dont have to go through the hell of writing CSS and centering divs.

Tailwind was created so that while you enjoyed the benefits of using an already built CSS framework, you also kept in touch with your CSS roots. The best of both worlds.

You get the point? Each technology was created with one main objective in mind. And that gives that particular tool a comparative advantage over other tools for that specific task no matter what other shortcomings it may have.

Analogy: Joe is 64 and Ryan is 54. Joes height makes him a slow runner but it also means he can play basketball well. Conversely, Ryan is faster at running but terrible at playing basketball. Someone who loves watching basketball would say Ryan sucks while watching Ryan play basketball. On the other hand, someone who loves watching races would be amused while watching a slow Joe run.

You may complain and argue all you want but if you want to build a simple website and not have to worry too much about scaffolding and using other libraries, jQuery is still awesome for that.

If you dont know how to code yet want to build a website in record time, WordPress is still the best for that and that remains.

If you want to learn something simple, go for Vue. Vue makes it very easy to build user interfaces (my opinion)

If you want to learn something popular with lots of job prospects, learn React. Heres why:

An estimated number of 8787 industry leaders currently use React. js; among some of the most powerful are Airbnb, Uber, Netflix, Instagram, WhatsApp, BBC, Twitter, and Reddit. Since its release in 2013, the React community has increased to 56162, whereas 25698 developers claim they prefer Angular. js and 19480 use Vue. Thinslices.com

Svelte is great for whatever it was created for, which I sadly dont know much about yet.

We need to shift our thinking towards the task in question.

Do you want to participate in a race, use Ryan. Do you want to participate in a basketball tournament? Include Joe in your team instead.

Your choice of tool should depend on what your project demands. There are so many factors you should consider and it is based on those factors that you narrow down and ultimately pick the best candidate for the job.

To be exact, here are things you should consider before choosing a framework for building your website:

1. Main idea of your project
2. Popularity of the tool
3. Sustainability & Scalability
4. Support and timeliness of Updates
5. Security
6. Documentation
7. Resources

Analyse all tools available at your disposal and find out which one is most suitable for your task or current situation. Maybe youre a freelancer and a client wants an ecommerce site ready in a couple of days, you would definitely be better off with Wordpress, Wix, Shopify or some other no-code frameworks available.

This is my honest take on the whole issue. Some may not agree with me on this and that is perfectly fine. Disagreements and constructive criticism is highly welcome.

Finally, if you benefitted from this post and would like to support my work, you can buy me my favourite fruit:

Thanks for taking time out to read and see you soon. If youre new, be sure to follow this blog for future posts.

P/S: If youre a web developer and would love a resources rich in JavaScript, you can get HTML To React by Sleepless Yogi (aff)