Vue.js: Empowering Dynamic User Interfaces with JavaScript Framework!

What is Vue.js?

Vue.js is a JavaScript framework. It is open source, which contributes to its high popularity on repositories like Github .

Furthermore, those who work with software development services use it on the front-end side of the application. It is also worth noting that it is one of the most used frameworks, compared to Angular and others.

Vue.js: what is it for?

Nowadays, websites are increasingly better in terms of layout, navigation and mobile reactivity. This is precisely one of the uses of Vue.js: being a robust framework for creating functional and enjoyable web applications for those who use it .

With the advent of digital transformation, many companies are looking to provide a pleasant web experience for customers.

To do this, they hire the services of a specialized company to develop a specific application. This, in turn, can range from an institutional website to an e-commerce. Professionals use it both to create an interactive single page and for more complex projects.

What is the structure of Vue.js?

Vue.js is basically made up of so-called reactive components . When you have, for example, a large web application, it is possible to separate them so that they remain reusable.

These components are made up of the three characteristics of a web project: behavior, markup and style, which are respectively represented by JavaScript, HTML and CSS . 

It is worth noting that Vue.js’ reactive capability consists of taking a Javascript object and checking its updates in the HTML DOM (Document Object Model).

In practice, whoever uses it can interact with a page and see the information being automatically generated. 

Directives used in Vue.js

There are several directives offered by Vue.js. Below, we present three of them, which are:

1. V-for: responsible for traversing the elements in a vector. It’s a directive that renders lists;
2. V-if: used to perform conditional rendering. There are also variations such as v-else and v-else-if;
3.  V-on: used to monitor events during navigation, such as clicking or positioning the mouse over a specific button or word.

SUN

To better understand the v-on directive, we need to talk about the DOM. Even using JavaScript and frameworks like Bootstrap, it is still possible to improve the front-end of a web application.

When the browser reads HTML, there is an interface capable of representing the document in a structured way, defining how this structure is accessed. To handle the DOM, you can use JavaScript. Additionally, it is possible:

• update data automatically without needing to press F5 on the browser;
• whoever uses it can make page customizations;
• actions such as moving, dragging and deleting elements.

Tools used in Vue.js

Vue.js has several tools that help with custom software development services. We present some of them in the following subsections.

Vue CLI

The Vue CLI not only allows agile development but also leaves the developer free to innovate . An important feature of the tool concerns its instant prototyping .

This means that an application or part of it can have its functionalities tested, so that any inconsistencies in the test version can be corrected more quickly. 

Furthermore, Vue CLI has a graphical interface to allow the development of web applications. The GUI in question is also responsible for facilitating the management and configuration of this project.

Still on this tool, it is worth highlighting its plugin system, which is quite extensible. As a result, several web technologies and tools are supported by Vue CLI, such as:

• TypeScript;
• Babel;
• PWA;
• PostCSS;
• Cypress;
• Nightwatch;
• Mocha;
• Jest;
• ESLint.

Vue Press

If a web project is static, Vue Press is an excellent tool to use. Over time, it stopped being used for technical documentation and became a website management CMS .

Even with a standard theme, Vue Press allows customization in order to provide a better browsing experience for users .

The tool works as follows: first, the content is developed using markdown. Subsequently, a conversion to pre-rendered HTML occurs. At the end of the process, the application runs as a single static web page. Vue Press allows you to insert reactive Vue.js code or components into markdown. This way, the development of the static website gains a lot of flexibility.

Gridsome

An indispensable characteristic of a website concerns its SEO. In other words, all semantics must be meticulously planned, so that users have an easy time finding it .

Given the context, this is a feature that can be developed in Gridsome. However, the Vue.js tool goes even further. It works in conjunction with GraphQL, which consists of a data manager. 

The immediate advantage of this is that a website can have data in different formats. Gridsome can be operated in three steps, which are:

1. Application data can be in markdown, CSV, YAML and JSON. Furthermore, there is the possibility of importing from Drupal or WordPress, for example;
2. GraphQL is responsible for managing the data that was imported, so that it can later be used by the application with Vue.js;
3. Finally, the developer deploys the files in HTML. It is worth noting that these are located on CDNs or web hosts, in a pre-rendered form.

VueX

A very common problem in web applications concerns state management . In this sense, VueX is a management tool, responsible for centralizing all the components involved .

We cannot fail to mention the “store” object here, which consists of a state tree, and for the application, an exclusive object is created for it.

The advantage of this is that it is easier to locate a part of the state and, if necessary, debugging can be done more quickly. The store is divided into four parts, which are:

1. State: responsible for storing application data;
2. Getters: uses abstraction through methods to access a state;
3. Mutations: it is with this component that developers directly manipulate states;
4. Actions: used to trigger Mutations, as well as the execution of asynchronous codes.

Nuxt

Nuxt is a modular tool used for so-called SSR, or server-side rendering. Furthermore, it is useful in SPA and PWA, which are progressive web applications respectively.

Nuxt provides greater simplicity on the development side, so structuring and optimization are done by the tool.

Vuetify

If you are going to develop web or mobile applications, know that Vue.js has the Vuetify tool. It consists of a library of interface components , in order to provide several possibilities for an application.

Anyone using Vuetify can also choose a part of the components that are in use, so that the final size of the application is smaller. 

We also highlight that this tool has extensive documentation, which is of great help for learning purposes and consulting functionalities. Vuetify exists in both free and premium versions.

Quasar

Quasar allows an application to run on different platforms . Like Vuetify, it has extensive documentation and highly reactive components. Among Quasar’s practices, we can mention:

• blocking caches;
• tree shaking;
• accessibility;
• code breaking;
• source mapping;
• HTML/CSS/JavaScript reduction;
• ES6 transpilation;
• code splitting with lazy loading.

We also highlight that Quasar has a CLI tool for designing new projects. In short, the tool helps the developer to focus their efforts on the resources of a web application.

StoryBook

StoryBook is a tool responsible for developing, managing and testing components in Vue.js. Furthermore, it contains a flexible API and the ability to export as a web application. Finally, deployment takes place on an HTTP server.

Eagle.JS

If your web application needs a slide presentation, a good option is to use Eagle.JS. With it, it is possible to create very dynamic transparencies , as it allows the use of widgets, animation and interactive themes.

It is also worth mentioning that Eagle.JS has a very simple API, so that the developer has autonomy when designing their applications.

Why use Vue.js: five advantages!

As you can already see, Vue.js is a powerful JavaScript framework. In this topic, we list and explain some of its main advantages. So, follow the subsections below!

1. Extensive documentation and low learning curve

Everyone who develops wants to access a framework’s documentation for consultation and learning purposes. In this sense, Vue.js provides a low learning curve .

In practice, this means that it will take a developer little time to master its features, especially if they have already handled other frameworks. If you already know Angular and react, for example, it will be quite easy to learn Vue.js. 

2. Flexibility and adaptability

Anyone who is used to using other frameworks will not have any difficulties with Vue.js. This is because it offers flexibility and adaptability. By default, templates are used, but it is also possible to opt for support for JSX and rendering functions.

Furthermore, it is possible to have additional features such as vue.router, used in SPA, or Single Page Application.

3. User experience

Those who consume web and mobile applications want the best browsing experience possible. More than that, you want to resolve your problem quickly.

On the software development services side, you can be sure that Vue.js is a robust tool that meets the requirements requested by customers.

4. Scalability

Scalability is an essential requirement in many web applications. Even on large projects, Vue.js gets the job done. This is due to its responsive components.

5. Agile development

Agile development is a big trend these days. This is because it not only allows greater collaboration between team members but also promotes continuous interaction with the user.

Depending on the project, the agile methodology is much more suitable than the traditional one. It is from this perspective that Vue.js fits in, as a means of providing greater collaboration between the parties involved.

This way, the final product is as close as possible to customer expectations and needs.

Vue.js is a JavaScript framework that deals with User Interface. Because it has a low learning curve and extensive documentation, programmers can quickly absorb its features. As a result, web applications become more interactive from the perspective of those who will use a particular website.