Before I go into detail about the benefits, let me briefly explain what JavaScript sites or apps are.
Web developers have always used server-side technology to build websites, at least for the last decade. These dynamic runtime engine do everything. They are responsible for fetching data. They are providing web service end-points. They often render (or at the very least “compose”) front-end HTML and CSS and send it to the browser.
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This model is very effective, and it offers many distinct advantages. There are also some drawbacks.
Because the server is responsible for most of the UI rendering, all must be “baked”, which means that everything must first be shipped to the browser (the server). It’s like cooking dinner at a local restaurant and then shipping the plates to your home. If you cook in your own kitchen, dinner will be more hot and faster.
Although the server is not involved in front-end rendering with the new JavaScript (sometimes referred as “HTML5”), it is still necessary for other tasks such data persistence and services. Instead, a JavaScript layer runs within the browser and receives data from it. It then handles all the logic and front-end renders. Apps is also used because this approach allows for the creation of a new generation “packaged applications”, which removes HTML and JavaScript completely from the browser.
That’s it. These are the five benefits of JavaScript over traditional server-side development.
1. Quick and responsive
Performance is important. The fastest car. The strongest blender. The fastest search results. All things are important, but especially software, we want to provide the fastest possible experience.
JavaScript development is fast.
Latency in network development is one of the major problems with modern web development. It can take a lot of time to load a page. With mobile internet being so unpredictable, this problem becomes even more severe. Every bit that travels from the server to your browser is important. Your application will feel quicker to users if it does more with fewer bits from the server.
JavaScript development makes this possible by sending JSON or sometimes XML data to the client rather than sending a mixture data/markup HTML. All HTML rendering takes place in the browser. This keeps communication with the servers fast and minimal. This approach allows Kendo UI grid to display data from remote JSON data sources very fast.
JavaScript development means that you can make changes to the UI without having to communicate with the server. You can change the Kendo’s UI chart from a bar to one line, without needing to contact the server. The application is now able to respond instantly to user input.
2. Universal Front-End Platform
PHP. Ruby. Python. Rails. ASP.NET. Java. JavaScript and HTML5 both work well with any server technology. This allows front-end developers to be more flexible and resistant to changes in the server environment. Additionally, it optimizes server-side code for “backend” tasks.
ASP.NET makes certain front-end tasks easy (drag-and drop), but it might not be the best platform in terms of raw service performance (too overhead). A lightweight NodeJS Server would make a better, more simple and fast service provider.
A JavaScript/HTML5 Front-End allows you to test server-side performance, and then choose the best platform. Your front-end is covered as long JSON can reach the browser.
3. Tablets, Smartphones, and Other Devices
The next generation will be richer mobile experiences than the ones plug-ins can power. Plug-ins won’t be able reach the same level of distribution on all platforms and devices.
Same goes for “native” applications. Businesses won’t be able to build an app three to five more times to make it mobile-friendly. It’s an unfortunate reality of today’s smartphones and tablets, due to the app-store distribution model. But there is growing momentum suggesting HTML5 could also be the new standard for “native app experiences.”
Supporting technologies such as SVG, Canvas and WebGL make standards-based development a viable option. It can accomplish anything native apps or plug-ins cannot.
Yes, it is possible to use server-side scripts to create HTML5 for these platforms. But can you package this server-produced HTML and “install” it on a smartphone? Most likely not. JavaScript’s four-point advantage is why it is so important to adopt the JavaScript model.
4. Offline Support and App Shops
This is why JavaScript/HTML5 should be preferred over traditional server-side programming.
To replace “desktop” platforms, “web development” must offer seamless experiences with both active and passive connections to the Internet. Apps must be able to work on a plane ride in order to recreate the “desktop” scenario.
Server-side programming has the unavoidable requirement to communicate with the server after every interaction. Once you take away the server, the app or site becomes a paperweight.
JavaScript/HTML5 can make apps responsive and usable even when there is no active Internet connection. JavaScript front ends, such as those built using Kendo UI, use locally cached information to draw and refresh the app until internet connectivity is restored. Something like the KendoUI DataSource can help you track objects’ changes locally and then persist them to the server.
This is great for app packaging. JavaScript/HTML5 apps can run on any device, with or without an internet connection. JavaScript front end development is not able to take you there.
5. Industry Momentum
While JavaScript development may not be the best option, industry momentum behind JavaScript/HTML5 is worth considering. JavaScript is the most used programming language worldwide. Google, Apple and Microsoft all support this universal approach. JavaScript developers are constantly discovering new tools, frameworks, money-making opportunities, and other resources.
JavaScript/HTML5 programming is an excellent choice to start new projects or improve existing HTML applications. You’ll find it easier to hire talented developers (once again, you can find them at any “developer camps”) and you will have a platform that has an increasingly wide reach, starting with Microsoft Office extensions (?!). You can also use mobile phones to create better, faster and more responsive websites.
You shouldn’t dismiss the JavaScript/HTML5 development wave like desktop developers dismissed the web. We all know what happened next.
What is the point?
You’re right. JavaScript/HTML5 development has many additional benefits. However, we hope this helps to spark critical thinking about the limitations of traditional server side development for front-end UI. While server technology will continue to be necessary, what we use it for is constantly changing. If you want to target mobile, build offline-enabled websites/applications, or just create faster websites, you should seriously consider JavaScript development.