Backend Apps with or without a framework?

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Question for everyone…

I know I’ll get some differing opinions here, but interested to hear everyone’s thoughts.

A quick background so you know where I’m coming from. I’ve completed the front end cert, skipped the data vis section (with plans to come back after the back end, and hopefully after FCC has had a chance to round it out a bit), have completed the back end API projects and am starting the dynamic web app projects.

In fact, I’ve been ‘starting’ them for several weeks, not really able to decide how to proceed, which brings me to my question…

Do you recommend learning a framework like Angular 2 to complete these web apps?

On one hand, I tell myself that I should write them without the use of a framework to better my JS skills.

On the other hand, I did write the entire front end cert without using any frameworks, so I have a relatively strong JS/CSS/HTML foundation and if I’m going to be using a framework in the future (and I assume Angular 2 is a good choice based on projected popularity over the next few years), wouldn’t gaining skills using A2 be useful and look good on a resume and in a portfolio?

One of the reasons I’m torn is that I’m someone that, if I’m going to use something, I need to know how it works. If I’m going to use a framework, I’ll take the time to know if inside and out, which is somewhat daunting with something like angular 2.

I’ve been messing around with A2 a little in Atom and created a blank app using the Angular-cli package. There are literally 12 dependencies and 14 devDependencies in the package.json file. That’s before I even start to add my own!! Seems like a lot of dependencies to learn and know…

Anyway, I’d be interested in hearing your opinion, especially if you’ve completed the dynamic web apps, with or without the use of Angular or React, and how that went for you. What would you recommend to someone just starting these projects with little to no experience with either framework?

Thanks for any and all advice.

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If did the first couple of ‘full stack’ apps without a framework - just EJS templates.

I planned to start using Ember for the rest, but got side tracked on a bigger personal project using Ember instead.

I think ultimately do whatever you think is valuable for your own learning. I did the first couple with EJS just to get a really solid feel for how to do that, but now that I can, it’d be pointless to do the last 3 that way.

My Ember app has presented some complications (which I think I have resolved) in linking the front and backend. So maybe doing a practice app that doesn’t require a backend first will help you figure out how to use the framework. Maybe try making the Camper Leaderboard project from the React section using Angular2 to get a feel for how it works.

Also, I don’t think Angular-cli fully supports routes yet. Obviously, A2 has routes, but they are not wired up properly in the cli - unless this advice is outdated. So bear that in mind as you proceed :slight_smile:

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@JacksonBates thanks for the reply. I think I’m going to move forward and build a couple of these apps without a framework. I used EJS templates in some of my API projects, so that will definitely help.

I also think building something like the Leaderboard to gain experience with a framework before using it to build a full stack app is a great suggestion. I’ll use that approach when I start learning a framework.

Thanks for taking the time to answer.