Angular is Almost Always Better than React

To fully comprehend the statement that Angular is almost always better than React, one must delve into the world of software development, particularly how it functions within organizations where software development isn’t the primary focus. These organizations, such as insurance companies, banks, hotels, hospitals, and many others, rely on software to optimize their processes and achieve their primary objectives. However, their main business isn’t centered around software, and they often have high employee turnover rates, with the average employee staying for no more than two years. This dynamic necessitates a closer examination of how Angular and React are typically employed in such contexts.

The Landscape of Software Development in Non-Tech Companies

In companies where software development plays a secondary role, it’s essential to consider the practicalities of onboarding new developers regularly. These developers must quickly understand the existing codebase to contribute effectively. Furthermore, a significant portion of these organizations’ software projects involves back-office administration applications, such as CRM systems and ERP systems, which are not customer-facing but are crucial for internal operations and efficiency. With this context in mind, let’s explore how Angular and React are commonly used in such environments.

How Angular is Used

When initiating a new Angular project in this context, the process follows a straightforward path. Developers ensure they have the latest Angular version, install the Material library, and begin implementing the design. Consequently, each project tends to have a similar structure, relying on the same components. This uniformity leads to a consistent project structure, similar components, and often identical markup and code – assuming the Angular developer is experienced. While a few custom components might be necessary for specific projects, in general, if you’ve seen one Angular project, you’ve essentially seen them all.

How React is Used

Contrastingly, if you were to start a similar exercise with React, you’d find yourself installing numerous components before you could even create a basic HTTP request or display a simple date picker. Each time you add a new component, you face an array of choices, resulting in a situation where it’s rare to find two different React projects utilizing the same set of components and plugins. The project’s structure in React is more open to individual developer preferences regarding how they organize their code and project.

The Predicament

The disparities highlighted above have significant implications. In the case of Angular, it’s often feasible to replace one Angular developer with another, and after a brief investigation phase, the new developer can be as productive as the original contributor. This fosters an “agile organization” capable of reallocating resources between projects with ease, without requiring an extensive learning period for these transitions.

In contrast, with React, this level of interchangeability is not as readily attainable. Each React developer typically has their preferred HTTP client, widget library, and various other libraries. Consequently, it’s rare to encounter two React codebases that share substantial similarities. This creates an “individual dependency” within the organization, making it more challenging to shift and replace resources when necessary. A “React company” inadvertently develops a reliance on individual contributors, reducing organizational flexibility.

Furthermore, most Angular projects tend to adopt a similar structure and design. For companies that have multiple in-house developed back-office administration applications, this uniformity is advantageous. Employees familiar with one application can quickly navigate and understand others. However, this consistency is not guaranteed with React.

The Real Measure of Success

Ultimately, the question of whether React is technically “better” than Angular becomes almost irrelevant in this context. As long as Angular can perform reasonably close to React’s capabilities, the technical aspects and performance of the framework take a backseat. What matters most to these companies is the ability to manage resources efficiently and maintain a level of consistency across their software projects. In this light, Angular emerges as the preferred choice, as it aligns more closely with the needs and realities of organizations where software development serves a secondary function.

Conclusion

The choice between Angular and React goes beyond technical capabilities and performance benchmarks. It hinges on the organization’s ability to adapt and manage resources effectively within the context of their software development needs. In many cases, Angular’s consistency and ease of resource interchangeability make it the pragmatic choice for businesses where software is a means to an end rather than the primary focus.