All You Need to Know About MERN Stack as a Client

When looking for a solution like a website, mobile app, web app or business process automation tool for business, the aim of a business is always smooth ‘performance.’ Every business plans digitalisation to elevate customer experience and streamline routine business tasks.

Software solutions help a business in digital marketing in addition to maximising accuracy and minimising efforts.

However, sometimes a software solution is full of technical errors and glitches. This makes performance and user experience even worse. Did you know that according to highly experienced software developers technology stack plays a pivotal role in software performance?

MERN Stack is a popular tech stack and the primary choice of developers. Why so? Today we will explain the MERN Stack and discover its benefits for a business. This blog provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the technology stack and making the right decision.

Understanding Technology Stack

Before we start explaining what is MERN Stack, it is more important to understand the term 'technology stack'. When a software engineer codes a software, website or mobile application

from scratch, he uses a group of technologies. This group of technologies is called 'Technology Stack'. During the development process, a developer will need the following main technologies:

Programming Languages

There are many programming languages to code a software program. However, every programming language has its own uses, pros, and cons. As a result, every project needs a particular programming language depending on project size, complexity, user base and more.

Development Frameworks & Code Libraries

Then comes development frameworks. A software solution has two layers, the 'back end' or 'server-side' and the 'front end' or the 'client-side'. The backend of a software product is its basic structure that the user cannot see. On the contrary, the front end is the 'visual' part of the product.

Say, for example, the user interface of a mobile app that you see as its user, is the front end. However, the 'codes' that you cannot see are the backend. The better the backend inside, the better the app performance outside.

The 'development frameworks' are 'solutions for the developers'. Like Photoshop is to graphic designers, development framework is to the developers. Development frameworks are the platforms where developers can find various elements for backend development and front-end designs.

Development frameworks contain pre-built 'code libraries', UI components, graphics, icons and many more elements for a speedy and effortless development process. However, for more precise UI/UX design, features, and functions, developers will use dedicated code libraries. 

Database Management Systems

Even a software solution needs memory to 'remember' user information and activities. Suppose, what if you are playing Candy Crush but it does not remember up to what level you have unlocked the game. You will need to start the game from Level 1 every time you log in.

Similarly, what if the E-commerce app you are using stops maintaining the history of your previous orders and does not let you create a wishlist anymore? Certainly, your 'user experience' will suffer.

To combat this situation, software engineers use Database Management Systems (DBMS). DBMS provides storage, retrieval, and manipulation of 'user data' and elevates user experience.

However, in the current scenarios, there are multiple options to choose from for DBMS, Development Frameworks, and Programming Languages. Therefore, it is often confusing to finalise the tech stack for your project. Sometimes, a company tries to 'sell' a tech stack that it has. But as said earlier, not all technologies are suitable for every project.

The wrong Tech Stack can rather make your solution glitchy in performance. Therefore, having a sound knowledge of the tech stack is quite important for the client. So, today, let's scroll down and begin with MERN Stack!

Although, Tech Stack is a big cake and above are only a few slices. But, in this blog, we will discuss only what is more important for you as a client to understand.

What is MERN Stack?

MERN Stack is a popular technology stack that expands to MongoDB, ExpressJS, ReactJS, and NodeJS technologies. It is not an official 'product' as such like the expansion suggests. Rather, it is a group of 4 different development technologies.

So, MERN Stack developers will utilise these technologies to develop your project. All these technologies help in providing full stack development services. Let us now understand the afore-mentioned components of MERN in detail:

MongoDB

Let’s start with the brain of a software application, that is, a database management system. In MERN Stack,  MongoDB is utilised for database management. Officially launched in 2009 as an open source DBMS, MongoDB supports the latest to iconic pioneering programming languages. 

Programming Languages Supported:

• PHP
• JavaScript
• Python
• Java
• Swift
• Kotlin
• C++
• Ruby
• Go
• Rust
• Perl

Benefits of MongoDB

MongoDB has various benefits for the end-users of a software application. These include: 

• MongoDB is capable of vertical and horizontal scalability. This way, the end-users get a faster user experience. Even during if too many people are using the software app at the same time, MongoDB effortlessly handles big data. Thus, users do not experience glitch. 
• Based on document architecture, MongoDB supports various types of data like text, images, videos, numbers and more. Therefore, it makes a software app richer in user experience. Document-based architecture is also helpful in faster response to the users. 
• MongoDB works well with the Real-Time applications. Therefore, sending push notifications and providing live chat support to the users become much easier. 
• Also, MongoDB is futuristic choice due to its flexibility. Adding newer features with MongoDB is quite easier for the developers. 
• Additionally, its geospatial compatibility leads to more personalised recommendations to the users based on their location. 

ExpressJS

Next comes development framework. For crafting the backend and front end of the software application, development frameworks play a pivotal role. They are the main tool of the developers. 

Talking about ExpressJS, it is the tools of web application developers. Used for making web apps and single page applications (SPAs), ExpressJS came into being in 2010. The web developers can use ExpressJS for full stack development. However, it focuses more on the backend. 

Programming Languages Supported:

• Strictly JavaScript only!
• Typescript (optional)

Benefits of ExpressJS

The benefits of ExpressJS for the end-users include: 

• Cross-Platform Compatibility:  A business can offer its customers a seamless user experience on cross-platform devices. Simply put, for iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS users, everyone gets smooth performance. 
• Good for Data Security: With ExpressJS the web developers can build strongly encrypted web applications. It also supports secure logins with OAuth authentication feature. 

Additionally, ExpressJS provides all the benefits that MongoDB does: 

✅Real-Time Data support

✅Geo-Spatial Compatibility

✅Multi-media Support 

✅Flexible and Futuristic

✅Being Open Source code library, it ensures faster resolvance of technical glitches along with cost effectivity. 

ReactJS

The ReactJS is a dedicated code library for JavaScript in the MERN Stack. ReactJS is for building interactive User Interfaces for iOS and Android platforms. Especially, Single Page Applications (SPAs) are quite easy to build with ReactJS. Launched in 2013, the biggest USP of ReactJS is that is developed and maintained by Facebook (now Meta) as an open source code library. Therefore, choosing ReactJS for your project can help you get faster and cost effective maintenance and support. 

Programming Languages Supported:

• JavaScript Only

Benefits of ReactJS

ReactJS is a JavaScript library, therefore the front end of a software application made with ReactJS is on JavaScript. Using JavaScript framework for the front end of a software product can have the following benefits: 

✅Cross-platform compatibility 

✅Native-Like user experience across different platforms

✅High page load speed  

✅Rich User Interfaces

✅Futuristic and Flexible front ends

NodeJS

Coding is communication between the software engineer and the server (let’s say computers). When an engineer writes a code in a programmin language, how the computer understands it? 

It is the ‘runtime environment’ that helps a machine (or say, server) understand what action is required. So, the processing or communicating link/tool between the coder and the server (or computer) is a ‘runtime environment’. 

NodeJS is a popular runtime environment that helps servers to identify and process codes written in JavaScript language. Simply put, NodeJS helps servers to understand JavaScript Language that the coders use.  

Benefits of NodeJS

✅NodeJS has been designed for low-latency software products. Therefore, choosing NodeJS ensures minimal performance lags. It processes user commands faster.  

✅Scalable Vertically and Horizontally, ensures smooth performance even during high traffic like MongoDB.

✅Cross-Platform compatibility  

✅Real Time compatibility

✅Easily findable

Summing Up the Benefits of MERN Stack

So, MERN Stack that is, MongoDB, ExpressJS, ReactJS, and NodeJS when used together for making a software product proves quite beneficial for the project.

All these technologies focus on: 

✔ Fast Performance

✔ Iconic User Interface Designs 

✔ Handling Big Data Effortlessly

✔ Cross-Platform Compatibility

✔ Flexible Codes

✔ Real Time Compatibility 

✔ Geospatial Compatibility

✔ Cost Efficient Solutions

✔ Future-friendly Designs

So, this way, MERN Stack is worth choosing the technology stack for your project. Moreover, did you know that MERN is a deviation of the MEAN stack itself? The only difference is that in the latter ‘Angular’ replaces ReactJS. In the next blog, we will explain about Angular as well. Till then, if you have a project to develop and a company offers MERN stack for it, go ahead and choose it. 

Uber, Netflix, Accenture, Shopify and many other big names have already embraced the MERN stack and the results are worldwide known. You too can give it a try. Having confusions about choosing the right Tech Stack for your project? Connect with us! Let’s us guide you for your best. 

FAQs

1. Is the MERN Stack Enough for Web Development?

Yes, MERN Stack is rather ideal for web development. It offers full stack development and holds specialisation in building web applications and single page applications (SPAs).

2. Can I get Social Media Using MERN Stack? 

In a word, yes. Using the MERN stack for making social media platforms is perfectly fine. MERN stack specialises in real-time compatibility, flexible structure open for new feature updates, big data handling, and cross-platform compatibility. All these features are apt for social media platforms. So, MERN can be an ideal choice of technology stack for social media platform building. 

3. What are some other components of the Technology Stack? 

Apart from programming languages, DBMS, development frameworks, code libraries, and run-time environment, the technology stack also comprises: 

• Web servers
• Cloud platforms
• Monitoring tools
• Testing tools like Postman and more
• Game Development Engines like Unity and Unreal
• Graphic design tools like Figma, Adobe and Photoshop

4. How to decide on a Tech Stack?

While choosing a technology stack for your project, discuss with the development team your requirements transparently. Technology stack depends upon factors like:

• Type of Software Product: Website | Web App | Mobile App | Desktop App
• Size and Complexity: The larger the file size, the higher the tech stack is recommended.
• Features & Functions: Fancy or Simple UI/UX
• OS Compatibility: Compatibility with iOS/Android/Windows/Linux or all?
• Your Budget

Discuss all these factors with your chosen development company, they will recommend you the best.