What to Expect from Vue in 2023 and How It Differs from React

The Vue.js Phenomenon

In a documentary from two years ago that explored the JavaScript framework Vue.js, it was depicted as an independent alternative within the JavaScript ecosystem, distinct from the dominant frameworks of Facebook’s React and Google’s Angular. One of the interviewees described it as feeling less corporate and more grassroots.

Vue vs. React – A Web Standards Perspective

When comparing Vue to the widely popular JavaScript framework React, a significant distinction is its alignment with web standards advocates. This distinction becomes apparent when delving into Vue’s documentation, which underscores that React primarily uses JavaScript for everything, encompassing the expression of HTML structures through JSX, and even incorporating CSS management within JavaScript. In contrast, Vue embraces traditional web technologies as its foundation.

A Shift in JavaScript Framework Trends

Recent years have witnessed a shift away from the JavaScript-heavy approach adopted by React and related frameworks. Modern alternatives like Vue, Svelte, and Lit have emerged as leaders, focusing on building atop classic web technologies. This departure from the status quo reflects a broader trend in the JavaScript ecosystem.

Evan You’s Vision – State of the Vuenion

Evan You, the creator of Vue, delivered his annual “State of the Vuenion” presentation at the JSworld Conference, which was held both in person and virtually. Notably, it marked his first physical appearance at the conference in three years due to the pandemic. During his address, he highlighted the significant advancements in the Vue ecosystem over the past three years, including the stabilization of Vue 3, the introduction of Vite (a build tool), Volar (a framework for building embedded programming language tools), and Pinia (a state management library for the Vue ecosystem).

Vue 3’s Novel Approach to Virtual DOM

Evan You elaborated on the transformation in Vue 3’s approach to rendering compared to Vue 2. He emphasized the evolution in the rendering strategy, particularly with regard to the virtual DOM (VDOM). Vue 2 employed a pure virtual DOM, similar to React, without extensive compile-time optimizations. Vue 3, on the other hand, adopted a “compiler-informed virtual DOM” approach, significantly enhancing compile-time optimization.

The Significance of Single-File Components

A pivotal factor contributing to Vue’s increasing popularity is its use of “single-file components” (SFCs). Vue defines SFCs as a unique file format that encapsulates the template, logic, and styling of a Vue component within a single file. This approach has garnered praise for its ability to enhance code understanding and maintainability, which aligns with the principles of modularity.

Diverse Opinions on Single-File Components

While SFCs have received acclaim from many developers, not everyone is equally enthusiastic about them. Some developers from a traditional web development background express concerns about SFCs merging various aspects like HTML, CSS, and JS, which were traditionally kept separate. In response to these objections, Vue argues that SFCs, in fact, foster cohesion and maintainability in components.

Conclusion – Vue’s Ongoing Journey

In conclusion, based on Evan You’s JSworld keynote, 2023 appears to hold few surprises for Vue developers. The main focus remains on transitioning from Vue 2 to Vue 3, along with continual growth and refinement of Vue’s ecosystem. While Vue may not frequently make headlines in the tech world, it is essential to revisit this web standards-compliant JavaScript framework periodically to appreciate its continuous evolution and contributions to the JavaScript landscape.