The MERN stack is worth your consideration if you’re looking to build a data-driven, dynamic web app. Let’s break down the ins and outs of the MERN stack web development, from how a MERN application works and its components to the pros and cons of the stack and when to choose it.
What Is MERN Web Development?
MERN stack web development means using MongoDB, Express, React, and NodeJS to build web applications that have to be scalable, dynamic, and data-heavy. We’ll break down each of these technologies and their roles below.
As for how to deploy MERN stack application, the process isn’t inherently different from other stacks. You can choose from three deployment options:
Keeping the client-side (React) and server-side (Express) code on the same machine
Storing the API behind a proxy, which means Express and React code will remain on the same machine but will be served by different servers
Storing the Express API and React code on different machines
How a MERN Application Works
Like any other web app, a MERN application consists of three key components:
Presentation layer (UI/frontend). This is the interface that users see and interact with. In full-stack development services, it’s built with React, a JavaScript library developed and maintained by Meta.
Application layer (backend). This is the business logic processing and runtime component. In MERN apps, the application logic is written using Express, a JavaScript framework, and executed in the Node.js runtime.
Database layer. It stores all the data that the backend may require and supplies it in response to HTTP requests. In MERN apps, it’s powered by MongoDB, a NoSQL database program.
How to Develop a MERN Application in 7 Steps
4 MERN Stack Components
Let’s take a closer look at the four technologies that comprise a MERN stack application:
MongoDB. It allows for storing JSON data natively, and its query language is built on JavaScript. Its strengths include seamless integration with Node.js, flexible document schemas, high performance and speed, and native support for distributed databases.
Express. This lightweight JavaScript framework serves as the de facto standard for the Node.js runtime environment. Express allows for building RESTful APIs and web applications with faster I/O and requests/responses.
React. This JavaScript library enables building a fast and dynamic UI for a MERN application. React allows for component reusability and re-rendering limited to changed DOM elements.
Node.js. Built on the V8 JavaScript engine, this JavaScript runtime environment enables code execution outside the user’s browser. Its strengths include high performance for real-time applications, easy scalability, and quick caching for faster loading times.
MERN Development Pros & Cons
Pros
Same underlying programming language. MERN technologies are all based on JavaScript. So, the code and data don’t need to be converted during the interactions between app layers. This improves performance and facilitates component reuse and debugging.
High scalability and performance. All the MERN technologies come with these two strengths. Ergo, your whole application, from the database to the user interface, can handle complex interactions and advanced logic more easily.
Increased development productivity. MERN technologies all allow for faster development. For example, React enables component-based front-end development.
Real-time web app capabilities. Node.js is designed to power real-time apps with its event-driven nature.
Cons
Expertise still required. While it’s easier for a JavaScript-savvy developer to get started with MERN, they still need to know their way around each technology’s strengths and weaknesses.
Potential bottlenecks. Using JavaScript for both the server and client code may lead to performance bottlenecks – unless developers properly optimize the code, that is.
Potential SEO challenges. This is the bane of all dynamically generated user interfaces: their contents may remain uncrawled, leaving single-page MERN applications unindexed.
No built-in authentication capabilities. You’ll need to rely on third-party tools to implement user authorization and authentication features – those aren’t natively supported by MERN technologies.
When to Opt for MERN Development: 4 Use Cases
While MERN can be used for building virtually any type of web app, it truly shines in the following use cases:
Real-time collaboration tools (e.g., project management tools, calendars)
Social media platforms, messengers, and forums
Fintech web applications (e.g., online banking portals)
Aggregators (e.g., flight aggregators, news aggregators)
MERN is the best stack for your web application if it’s going to handle large amounts of data and involve a lot of interactive features.
Want to learn more about web app design and development? Make sure to check out Fivecube's blog for our first-hand insights!
Simple MERN App Request/Response Example
Imagine you’re a customer who wants to update their phone number on a MERN-powered online store. You head to the corresponding page (built with React) and fill out the form. Here’s what happens next:
The React UI sends the HTTP request to the Express code, along with the new phone number as a parameter.
Express code takes the parameter, maps it to the data model scheme, and updates the value in the database using the corresponding method.
The database returns a success or failure response, which then triggers a corresponding message in the UI.
What to Consider During MERN Web Development
In Conclusion
May 1, 2024
By
Yurii Verkalets
Previous Article
Want a tailored solution?
Let’s build something great together!