What is Vue.js? | The progressive JavaScript framework for web user interfaces

Vue.js was created by Evan You, a former Google employee who started developing the framework in 2013. He wanted to take the best parts of Angular and React and iron out their issues. After two years of dedication, Vue.js was released publicly in February 2014.

Initially, Vue.js gained traction among Chinese developers, since Evan You was born in China and lived there. The documentation was written in Chinese first, making it easy for Chinese developers to get started with the framework. It didn't take long for Vue.js to also gain global recognition as more developers discovered its benefits - and thanks to Chinese industry giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and Xiaomi who worked with Vue.js and supported it, it gave the Framework the big boost it needed. Today, it's one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks, supported by a large and active community.

• Reactivity: Vue.js keeps your user interface in sync with the data by automatically re-rendering when the data changes.
• Component-based approach: with Vue.js, you can break down the website into small, reusable components. Each component contains of user interface logic that is specific for the component, and can be (re-)used and incorporated any way possible.
• Virtual DOM: Like other modern frameworks, Vue.js uses a virtual DOM to make updates to the real DOM more efficient.
• Directives: Vue.js comes with built-in directives, such as: v-if, v-else and v-show, to help you handle the DOM, the user input, and dynamic rendering.

Vue.js is one of the easiest to learn frameworks, making it accessible to developers of all skill levels. With Vue.js, you've got the tools and flexibility to build anything from a simple single-page application to a complex enterprise-level project. You can use Vue.js for small proof of concepts, as well as for eCommerce platforms - it easily scales with the project. The framework pushes for clean and readable code - making the code base more future-proof by supporting collaboration and ensuring maintainability.

Vue.js is backed by a passionate and active developer community. You can find extensive documentation, tutorials, and forums to help you overcome issues, learn best practices, and keep up with the latest developments.

Vue.js as a standalone framework already brings a lot to the table, and will revolutionize the way you build your websites. But Vue.js also offers many tools, libraries, and plugins that extend its functionality and streamline the development process. Whether you need state management with Vuex, routing with Vue Router, or server-side rendering with Nuxt.js, or Vuetify for UI components - Vue.js has got your back.

Vue.js delivers excellent performance even in applications with large datasets or complex user interfaces, thanks to its Virtual DOM implementation and efficient rendering. It also comes with built-in optimization techniques, like lazy loading and code splitting, and reducing unnecessary renders to make your applications even faster.

Vue.js use cases

The JavaScript-landscape is where we thrive, and as much as we enjoy developing solutions from scratch, we also enjoy a good framework that helps us save time and focus on what’s more important. Vue.js has built-in solutions for many requirements of web applications, which makes it the perfect tool for when we just want to get started and don’t want to spend too much time on the basics. We can use Vue-CLI for the project setup, and Vue-Router for routing. It helps us to get past the build setup, so we can put our work right into the project itself.

Vue.js has been used by numerous companies and organizations around the world to build successful web applications. Organizations of all sizes, from startups to tech giants, rely on Vue.js for its simplicity, performance, and scalability. Some big names using Vue.js include Nintendo, Adobe, and GitLab.

Vue.js + GitLab === Less code

GitLab switched from JQuery to Vue.js: Using Vue.js reduced their lines of code enormously. They talk highly about the way Vue.js handles manipulated objects, making it easy to just act on what should be done rather than how it should be done.

• Nintendo: The popular gaming company uses Vue.js across its official websites to increase and enhance the user experience.
• Adobe: Behance, Adobe’s own creative network for showcasing creative work, employs Vue.js to make the user interface fast and also compelling.

As mentioned before, the strength of Vue.js lies in its ability to simplify and empower frontend development, but it’s more than capable of also being used for desktop and mobile apps. A seamless integration of HTML and the JavaScript base, working together with the Electron framework, make this possible. Vue.js achieves this through the classic Model View Controller (MVC) architecture, which allows developers to design the user interface of an app or website using its core library as the primary view layer. However, Vue.js isn’t just stuck in its ways. It’s adaptable and can also work with a component-based approach, similar to what React uses. This flexibility means you can structure your app in a way that best suits your project’s needs, making Vue.js a solid and reliable choice for various development tasks.

Vue.js is a perfect choice as a JavaScript framework for building modern, high-performance web applications. It's a powerful tool that provides solutions for a wide range of project requirements, making it a valuable framework to any developer. Whether you're an experienced developer who has been in the industry for years, or a beginner who's just starting their journey in the world of coding, Vue.js provides the tools, resources, and support you need to create user experiences.

The framework's commitment to flexibility and performance, along with its strong community backing, ensures that it stays competitive in the constantly changing world of web development. As such, choosing Vue.js as your JavaScript framework is a strategic move that can help you stay ahead of the curve.