With a new year comes another new chapter in the world of development. And as many of us face new realities and possibilities in 2021, some things remain the same. For one, JavaScript still has the upper hand in the world of programming.
Many trends and movements will happen this 2021, while others might remain the same. Any developer that wants to stay relevant in the next year and beyond will need to know what the future of JavaScript holds.
Here are some of the JavaScript framework trends 2020 has to offer to programmers and developers everywhere.
1. JavaScript remains king
It comes as no surprise that JavaScript is still the top programming language today, but it also helps to understand how much of a disparity it dominates.
A 2020 Developer Survey interviewed over 47,000 developers about which language they preferred. Roughly 69.7% of professional developers said JavaScript was their go-to language.
While the programming language is far from perfect, JavaScript continues to be one of the best in terms of ease of use, compatibility, and universality. It’s hard not to love the community and ecosystem that JavaScript has built.
There continues to be a large collection of frameworks, libraries, and other useful tools, and it’s only expected to grow more this 2021. The way things are going, it’s unlikely that JavaScript will lose its power as the leading web development language in the near future.
2. SPAs will become more popular
Developers started using Single Page Applications, or SPAs, in 2003, and it has grown steadily over time. With SPAs, web browsers can run application logic, communicate with web servers, and better display certain user interfaces. It has also allowed users to navigate web pages on wireless gadgets in a new and improved way.
Some of the more popular SPA examples are LinkedIn, Airbnb, Facebook, Gmail, and other large online services. The use of SPAs in websites allows for the use of web pages without reloading, resulting in a more dynamic experience.
Single Page Applications’ other benefits are longer battery times on devices, quicker navigation, better caching, and ease in maintenance and development. The use of DHTMLX Suite to build SPAs also brings a lot of promise as it makes it easier for developers, providing a framework to serve as a starting point instead of building from scratch.
3. More developers will use PWAs
PWAs have also been growing in popularity in the web development community as more businesses start using them. Statista shows that up to 24% of e-commerce companies will start investing in progressive web applications. Currently, 11% of them are already using PWAs.
Progressive web applications can be accessed on wireless devices, including mobile phones and tablets. They merge various features of a website and a mobile app into one, using JavaScript to create more responsiveness and improve the user experience by a mile.
PWAs are multi-platform and allow for better adaptability to a gadget’s screen size. PWAs also work offline and are more secure in various aspects than the basic website. Uber, Twitter, and Pinterest are only some of the sites that have shifted to using progressive web applications and have reported growth in user base and monthly visits as a result.
4. React.js is here to stay
JavaScript frameworks are a great way to aid developers in the programming process by providing templates as accelerated starting points when building new pages, apps, and websites. One of the most commonly used today is React.js, which continued to rise in popularity throughout 2020. It’s safe to assume that this momentum won’t be slowing down in 2021 as the framework provides a robust and easy-to-scale solution for both web and mobile.
JavaScript frameworks usage statistics by Stack Overflow show that React.js is the top framework used for web development. NPM trends also indicate a growth in popularity of the framework amongst app developers as it hit 9 million downloads by the time November 2020 rolled in. Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, WhatsApp, Discovery, NY Times, and many other large sites and services have reported that they use React.js.
The framework continues to grow in popularity, given the ease of use in developing Gantt charts, more robust search capabilities, calculator features, and many other applications. And as new features and developments will continue to roll out this new year, it’s expected that more companies will start using React.js.
5. React.js to provide more jobs
As React continues to grow in popularity this 2021, more developers will find better job openings if they start learning how to use the framework if they haven’t yet. On the job search website Indeed, the word React appears in 47.6% of job listings under the front-end development category.
As work from home jobs continue to grow in popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the larger population to shelter in place, there will be a massive shift in careers in 2021. Anyone looking for a job as a programmer in the new normal will find it beneficial to know React.js and master it extensively. As more services move towards the framework, there’s also a likelihood that the shift will affect current development jobs.
6. TypeScript still on an upward trajectory
While JavaScript remains on the throne, development experts do have eyes set on a contender that could surpass the current winner in the future. That contender is TypeScript, which many programming circles are starting to call the new and improved version of JavaScript.
TypeScript offers an easier learning curve, making it the preferred language amongst new developers. It is also much easier to maintain and debug. The programming language currently sits comfortably at the number two spot (67.1%) as the most loved programming language. It’s pretty clear that JavaScript currently still holds dominance. Still, the accelerated rate of popularity that TypeScript has experienced in the last few years shows that it could dethrone the current champion sometime in the future if all goes its way.
7. A focus on developing more productivity
If there’s one thing that Coronavirus taught us about the modern workplace, it’s that productivity can be managed even in remote setups (by the way, if you’re interested in working remotely as a javascript developer, visit Jooble). As more companies and teams opt for remote work setups in response to today’s new reality, leaders look for ways to drive productivity virtually. This shift in priority will demand more project management and development software. DHTMLX is one good example of this move as they continue to develop modern JavaScript tools for more efficient project management this year.
Productivity will be the number one goal for many companies this year as businesses look to continue leveraging the power of digital platforms and the internet to grow and scale their business post-COVID-19. Developers and programmers will be in for a treat as 2021 will usher in another set of JavaScript frameworks, tools, and services to make the web development and maintenance process smoother and more streamlined.
JavaScript: 2021’s Iconic Language
Many application development software examples are available today, but JavaScript will most likely remain the premier programming language for 2021 and probably many more years after that. Thus, any programmer who wants to become a top-notch web development professional and increase their job market demand would be smart to continue to tool up and upgrade their JavaScript abilities this year.