Ember.js 2020 Crash Course: Part 1
The Great Framework Wars can be fun to argue about. React, Angular, and Vue typically take the spotlight in those banter sessions.
Like many others, the first JavaScript framework I learned was React. But I recently started learning Ember.js and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
This series will be based on the Ember.js 2020 Crash Course tech talk which I gave at the coloradoSprings.js Meetup.
Over the course of several posts, we’ll cover:
- Intro and Overview (this post)
- History and Current Context
- Getting Started
- Templates
- Routing
- Testing
- Components
Intro to Ember.js
What is Ember.js?
Ember.js is an open-source Frontend Javascript framework. Like most other modern Frontend frameworks, Ember utilizes a component-based pattern.
Ember is primarily used for web development, but it can also be used for desktop or mobile development (e.g. Apple Music).
The Ember Philosophy
Ember has several core philosophies that drive its structure and usage, such as:
- Out of the box productivity. Ember aims to give you the necessary tools to get off the ground quickly and efficiently.
- Stability without stagnation. Backward compatibility is important and can be maintained while the framework continues to evolve.
- Focus on ambitious web applications. Ember sets out to provide a wholesale solution to the client-side application problem.
Overview of Ember.js
Ember: General Pros
- You get a lot for free, so you don’t have to write much boilerplate code each time you spin up an app. The docs boast “it’s time to start building from the 20th floor” and “batteries are included”.
- The community is vibrant and responsive.
- The documentation is strong. It’s thorough, clear, and goes out of its way to be helpful.
Ember: General Cons
- The learning curve relative to other Frontend frameworks is steep.
- The file size is relatively heavy, which can make using Ember for smaller projects seem like overkill.
- Since Ember is much less popular than other frameworks, the number of resources outside of the docs is limited.
Up Next: Read Part 2: the history and current context of Ember.js.
