Building React Apps with Deno: A Comparison of Ruck and Aleph.js

The Challenges of Building a Frontend in the Modern Era

Building a frontend in the modern era can be overwhelming due to the numerous choices available. Developers need to consider factors such as performance, SEO, styling, routing, data fetching, and more. To make matters worse, the sheer number of tools and libraries available can make it difficult to choose the right ones.

Deno: A New JavaScript Runtime

Deno is a new JavaScript runtime that aims to simplify the development process. It supports:

• ES modules
• Import maps
• The Fetch API

Making it an attractive option for building modern web applications. Deno also offers a large standard library, developer tools, and a package manager, which can help reduce the complexity of building a frontend.

import { serve } from "undefinedo.land/std/http/server.ts";

serve(() => {
  return new Response("Hello World!");
});

Ruck and Aleph.js: Two Deno-Based React Frameworks

Ruck and Aleph.js are two popular Deno-based React frameworks that offer different approaches to building web applications.

Ruck is a minimal framework that provides a high degree of control over application functionality.

import { Ruck } from "undefinedo.land/x/[email protected]/mod.ts";

const app = new Ruck();

app.get("/", () => {
  return "Hello World!";
});

app.listen(3000);

Aleph.js, on the other hand, is a full-stack framework that offers a great developer experience with zero configuration needed.

import { aleph } from "undefineddeno.land/x/[email protected]/mod.ts";

aleph({
  routes: [
    {
      path: "/",
      handler() {
        return "Hello World!";
      },
    },
  ],
});

Similarities between Ruck and Aleph.js

Despite their differences, Ruck and Aleph.js share some common features:

• Support for import maps, which allow developers to manage dependencies in a browser-compliant way.
• Support for server-side rendering.
• Data fetching.
• Styling with CSS modules.

Differences between Ruck and Aleph.js

One of the main differences between Ruck and Aleph.js is their approach to configuration.

Ruck favors configuration over convention, requiring developers to define how their application functions.

Aleph.js, on the other hand, provides a zero-configuration approach, making it easier to get started.

Another difference is the level of community support. Aleph.js has a larger community of developers, with over 4,700 GitHub stars compared to Ruck’s 94.

Choosing between Ruck and Aleph.js

When choosing between Ruck and Aleph.js, consider the following factors:

1. Level of control: If you want a high degree of control over your application’s functionality, Ruck may be the better choice.
2. Developer experience: If you want a great developer experience with zero configuration needed, Aleph.js may be the better choice.
3. Community support: If you’re looking for a larger community of developers, Aleph.js may be the better choice.

By considering your needs and preferences, you can choose the framework that best fits your project goals.