How do I choose the right JavaScript framework for my next single-page application project?

A question I have asked myself over and over again.

There are countless options these days, that claim to be the ultimate solution to all our developments needs.

USED BEFORE

I have build applications with

1. Angular
2. Backbone
3. Ember.js
4. Knockout
5. Ampersand.js
6. Rivets

TRIED BEFORE

I have looked at

1. Polymer
2. React
3. and many other solutions out there.

And I seem to be evaluating new options every week :)

ANSWERS ?

The only answer I can give you is that :

1. None of them will fit any of your projects perfectly.
2. None of these will cover all project areas to your personal satisfaction.
3. None of these will prevent you from errors and the need for unconventional solutions.

In the end its a matter of personal taste and project requirements. We only have limited resources to finish a project and find solutions to unsolved problems in a timely fashion (yes this always happens). Go out and play :) Also take  a look at TodoMVC, which might help you to decide. No guarantees !

Over the past few month I have evaluated all the things that I used in the past. I  started stripping it all down to a bare set of essentials, that have been following me for a long time. There are solutions that just fit and require no replacement.

GOING SOLO

So my answer for the perfect framework, is a set of solid singular solutions that have proven themselves over the years. Working solo or together in harmony.

 Like a painter I want to choose my own brushes and color mixture. Programming is an art that needs freedom.  A freedom that can often be limited by a too strictly defined framework. Structure is important, but it should never dictate the options you have to fulfill your project goals and limit you.

I will be covering some of those tools here in coming articles.

I will talk about:

1. MVC
2. DOM manipulation
3. Templates
4. Data-Binding
5. Directives
6. Routing
7. Observables for Arrays and Objects
8. Modules
9. Dependency Loading
10. Utility solutions

…enjoy coding

film2learn is a new Learning Management System (LMS) / platform for B2B partners, that I just released together with Dr Dish TV this week.

A highly customized system, that gives each partner their own little LMS universe to share knowledge with distribution partners or staff.

An easy way to introduce new products and teach how to promote them.

film2learn

Over the past months I have been building a virtual competition, for one of my clients, for the tournament 2014 in Brazil.

1. Full integration and signup to the game through Facebook
2. Multi-language setup
3. Choose your own team of players from the 32 competing countries, with countries only represented once in your team.
4. Update your team until the start of the tournament
5. During the tournament your team scores according to real data coming in from a sport result data provider. Team scores are calculated by a fixed rule set.
6. You have 3 substitutes that you can deploy during the tournament to optimize your team or replace players that have been eliminated
7. You play for a specific country or you can join or create a group to compete against each other with friends.
8. Team ranking is provided on country and group level.
9. Social sharing, invites and posting to Facebook

The project had its challenges and I plan to dive into some of those areas in the future, as soon as the tournament is over ;)

Cheers
Alex