The Battle for Single-Page Application Supremacy: React vs Blazor
In the world of single-page applications (SPAs), developers are spoiled for choice when it comes to frameworks. Three of the most popular ones are Angular, React, and Vue. However, what if you want to build an SPA without relying on JavaScript? That’s where React and Blazor come in – two client-side options that minimize JavaScript usage. In this article, we’ll delve into the features of React and Blazor, comparing them to help you decide which one to use for your next project.
What is Blazor?
Blazor is a Microsoft UI framework that uses C#.NET and WebAssembly to create SPAs that run in web browsers. It allows developers to build interactive client-side applications with HTML, CSS, and C#. Blazor’s unique feature is its JavaScript interoperability, enabling it to invoke JavaScript functions from.NET methods and vice versa. The framework consists of two major projects: Blazor WebAssembly (client-side) and Blazor Server (server-side).
Blazor WebAssembly (Wasm)
Blazor Wasm runs on a compiled version of Xamarin’s Mono framework, enabling.NET C# applications to run directly in the browser. It compiles.NET code into WebAssembly, which can be deployed as a static bundle. For older browsers, Blazor uses asm.js to compile down to a common framework that older browsers can support. Additionally, Blazor supports interoperability with JavaScript libraries.
Folder Structure
When creating a new Blazor project, you need to download and install the.NET SDK and run a specific command in your terminal. The resulting folder structure includes a program.cs file containing the main methods needed to get the WebAssembly app up and running.
Programming Language
Blazor uses C# as its programming language, leveraging the existing.NET ecosystem of.NET libraries. This allows C# developers to expand their skillset from backend code to full-stack web and mobile applications. On the other hand, React uses JavaScript as its programming language, making it a natural choice for web developers.
Templating
React uses the Create React App toolchain, which initializes a React app configured with JSX, a syntax extension for JavaScript. Blazor, on the other hand, uses the Razor template engine, which allows you to write C# code in your markup.
Performance
Blazor projects are slower on the client-side due to the need to download the entire.NET runtime along with the necessary DLL libraries. Additionally, Blazor apps have latency issues, making them less suitable for globally accessed web applications. In contrast, React shines in terms of performance, with a lean core package optimized for building blazing-fast, modern client-side applications.
Ecosystem
The React ecosystem is massive, with packages available for almost everything you need to implement. React is fully backed by Facebook and has extensive community support. Blazor, on the other hand, has announced five new editions, including Blazor WebAssembly and Blazor Server, but its ecosystem is still developing.
Package Manager
React uses npm and Yarn as package managers, while Blazor WebAssembly apps can install packages using PackageReference,.NET CLI, or Paket CLI.
Communication between Components
In React, components can handle their own state or data, or accept data via props. In Blazor, a child component can receive data from its parent components via parameters.
Routing
In React, the router does not come preconfigured, and the React Router package is commonly used to implement client-side navigation. In Blazor, the routing system leans on ASP.NET’s existing routing engine, and you can map a route to a Blazor component using the @page directive.
Dealing with HTTP
In Blazor, you can handle HTTP requests using the HttpClient service, which helps make HTTP calls using the HTTP client. In React, you can use the Fetch API, Axios, or XHR to make HTTP requests.
Choosing the Right Framework
Ultimately, the choice between React and Blazor depends on factors like team preference, ecosystem, performance, and scalability. Both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses, and this article aims to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision for your next project.