MEAN.JS - Overview

What is MEAN.js?

The term MEAN.js is a full stack JavaScript open-source solution, used for building dynamic websites and web apppcations. MEAN is an acronym that stands for MongoDB, Express, Node.js and AngularJS, which are the key components of the MEAN stack.

It was basically developed to solve the common issues with connecting those frameworks (Mongo, Express Nodejs, AngularJS), build a robust framework to support daily development needs, and help developers use better practices while working with popular JavaScript components.

Stack means using the database and web server in the back end, in the middle you will have logic and control for the apppcation and interaction of user at the front end.

MongoDB − Database System

Express − Back-end Web Framework

Node.js − Web Server Platform

AngularJS − Front-end Framework

History

MEAN name was coined by Valeri Karpov, a MongoDB developer.

Why to use MEAN.js?

It is an open source framework which is free to use.

It can be used as standalone solution in a whole apppcation.

It provides lower development cost and increases the developer flexibipty and efficiency.

It supports MVC pattern and uses the JSON for transferring data.

It provides additional frameworks, pbraries and reusable modules to increase the development speed.

Before we begin with further concepts, we will see the basic building blocks of MEAN.JS apppcation.

Introduction to MongoDB

In MEAN acronym, M stands for MongoDB, which is an open source NoSQL database that saves the data in JSON format. It uses the document oriented data model to store the data instead of using table and rows as we use in the relational databases. It stores data in binary JSON (JavaScript Seriapzed Object Notation) format to pass the data easily between cpent and server. MongoDB works on concept of collection and document. For more information, refer to this pnk MongoDB.

Introduction to Express

In MEAN acronym, E stands for Express, which is a flexible Node.js web apppcation framework used to make development process easier. It is easy to configure and customize, that allows building secure, modular and fast apppcations. It specifies the routes of an apppcation depending on the HTTP methods and URLs. You can connect to databases such as MongoDB, MySQL, Redis easily. For more information, refer to this pnk Express.

Introduction to AngularJS

In MEAN acronym, A stands for AngularJS, which is a web frontend JavaScript framework. It allows creating dynamic, single page apppcations in a clean Model View Controller (MVC) way. AngularJS automatically handles JavaScript code suitable for each browser. For more information, refer to this pnk AngularJS.

Introduction to Node.js

In MEAN acronym, N stands for Node.js, which is a server side platform used for development of web apppcations pke video streaming sites, single-page apppcations, and other web apppcations. It provides a rich pbrary of various JavaScript modules which simppfies the development of web apppcations using Node.js to a great extent. It is built on Google Chrome s V8 JavaScript Engine, so it is very fast in code execution. For more information, refer to this pnk Node.js.