MEAN Stack Development Defined

The goal of this article is to explain the components and foundation of MEAN Stack development – what it IS and what it is NOT.

Before we define the MEAN Stack development environment, let’s talk about what it is NOT.

• MEAN Stack development is NOT Full Stack Development . Full Stack software developers utilize a full suite of tools and components, including HTML, CSS, PHP, ASP, Node-js, Python, JavaScript, Vue, and Angular JS. They also leverage databases, including SQLite, MongoDB and MySQL, as well as front-end HTML, Bootstrap, XML, iQuery, JavaScript, CSS, GraphQL, etc., and back-end frameworks like Node-js, Java, C, PHP, Firebase, etc. By choosing from and working with a myriad of tools and techniques, they build a custom stack to leverage in the development environment. What is a full stack developer? A full stack developer must have experience with all of these tools. The full stack approach allows the enterprise to customize but requires a) Full stack application developers with skills in all relevant tools and techniques, b) the time and budget to complete a more complex development project, and c) a roadmap and process to ensure appropriate and timely upgrades and bug fixes.
• MEAN Stack development is NOT MERN Stack Development . MERN Stack is comprised of MongoDB, Express JS, React JS and Node JS. These technologies are combined to accommodate front-end and back-end web development. MongoDB provides the database foundation, Express JS is a JavaScript framework for the server, React JS is a JavaScript library to build the user interface, and Node JS is a JavaScript runt=time environment to execute the code. MERN is open-source and supports mobile applications.

Now that we understand what MEAN stack is NOT, let’s look at the MEAN stack development environment. What is MEAN Stack?

MEAN Stack Development is comprised of four components: Mongo DB as a database, Express JS as a JavaScript framework for the server, Angular for the User Interface, and Node JS as a JavaScript run time environment. The MEAN Stack framework includes these four components which provide a foundation to support the comprehensive nature of this software development approach. Using MEAN stack application development tools, developers can create simple, intuitive, open source solutions that are easy to maintain and upgrade.

Here is a detailed explanation of the four components of MEAN Stack Development:

• Mongo DB is a NoSQL, scalable, flexible database. MongoDB is a distributed, document based database suitable for most general purposes. It is designed for modern application development and for the Cloud. It allows the business to filter and sort by fields, even those that are nested within a document. Mongo DB provides support for aggregation and geo-based, text and graph searches.
• Express JS enables large scale web and mobile applications using micro services architecture. Express is a flexible Node.JS web application framework with support for web applications and mobile applications. It is open source and easily accessible. It has a library of numerous plugins and acts as the back-end of MEAN Stack, working in concert with the Mongo DB and a JavaScript front-end library or framework.
• Angular JS is a rich, popular framework with powerful tools for cross-platform application development. The Angular JS open-source front-end web framework leverages JavaScript development and is used as the front-end for the MEAN stack or other programming languages and frameworks. It simplifies development and testing using client-side Model View Controller (MVC) and Model View ViewModel (MVVM) architectures.
• Node JS streamlines server-side scripting for fast, scalable processing. Node.js is open-source. This cross-platform, back-end runtime environment executes JavaScript outside a web browser environment, providing the opportunity to run JavaScript everywhere. Node.js is designed to build scalable network applications.

MEAN Stack architecture design and MEAN Stack application development brings together the four components of the environment to support server and client-side environment and includes a web application presentation layer.

MEAN Stack can produce best-in-class, high-performing, and scalable web and mobile applications. It provides good productivity and helps to manage and render code. Developers and clients like the MEAN stack approach because it is scalable, and it uses JavaScript to create a full-stack approach to development using a single language, so the code is consistent and reusable. Because it is open-source, MEAN enjoys a large community of developer support and is continuously updated and maintained.

Because MEAN Stack checks all the boxes for cross-platform database management, hybrid mobile application development and web application development, server framework and management and support for front-end and back-end, the business can count on rapid development and a resulting solution that will meet requirements and be easy and cost-effective to maintain and support. What is a MEAN Stack developer? A MEAN Stack developer has experience using all four components of the MEAN Stack and, ideally, has worked on numerous MEAN Stack projects, utilizing libraries, tools and techniques to achieve success.

For a comprehensive explanation of MEAN Stack, its uses and advantages, read our article: ‘What is MEAN Stack, What MEAN Stack is NOT, Why Choose MEAN Stack Development and How to Hire MEAN Stack Developers.’

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