Ember.js for Beginners: A 2020 Guide

Unlock the Power of Ember.js: A Comprehensive Guide

What is Ember.js?

Ember.js, a mature and powerful JavaScript framework, has been a cornerstone of web development for over a decade. Initially designed as a client-side scripting language, it has evolved to become a robust framework for building ambitious applications. Ember.js is renowned for its close-knit community, earning it the nickname “the together framework.”

Getting Started with Ember.js

To begin your Ember.js journey, you’ll need:

• Node.js 10x or higher
• Yarn/npm 5.2 or higher installed on your PC
• Basic knowledge of JavaScript and framework fundamentals

Installing Ember CLI

Install the Ember CLI tool using the following command:

npm install -g ember-cli

This toolkit helps you bootstrap Ember projects quickly. Next, create a new Ember project using the ember new command:

ember new ember-quickstart

This command sets up a new Ember application with all the necessary files and configurations.

Understanding Ember’s Directory Structure and Architecture

Ember.js follows an MVC-based framework with a uni-directional data flow pattern, known as Data Down Actions Up (DDAU). This pattern is influenced by Facebook’s Flux architectural pattern. Ember.js uses Glimmer VM for rendering and updating the DOM, delivering a faster user experience.

Core Concepts

To master Ember.js, it’s essential to understand the following concepts:

• Models: Objects used to store and maintain data in your application.
• Controllers: Wrappers around models, acting as intermediaries between views and models.
• Templates: Representing the view layer in MVC, built with Handlebars templating language.
• Routing: Managed by the Router file, mapping routes to route handlers stored in the /routes folder.
• Components: Reusable collections of UI elements containing markup, logic, and styling.

Directory Structure

A new Ember project is structured as follows:

• package.json: Contains project information, dependencies, and scripts.
• /app: Houses the core code of your application, including components, templates, models, routes, and styles.
• /templates: Contains Handlebars templates, compiled to /dist during build.
• /controllers: Holds controllers, defining data binding to variables on templates.
• /helpers: Contains helper functions used in Handlebars templates.
• /index.html: Lays the foundation for the Ember application, setting up the basic DOM structure.
• /models: Creates models, representing underlying data in your application.
• /router.js: Houses route configurations, corresponding to routes in /routes folder.
• /routes: Contains route handler files, setting up what happens when a route is loaded.

Why Developers Love Ember.js

Ember.js has gained popularity among developers due to its:

• Convention over configuration: Prioritizing convention over configuration, reducing decisions developers need to make.
• Tight-knit community: With over 2,000 addons, the community prioritizes standardization and collaboration.
• Swiss army knife: Comes pre-configured with almost everything needed to get an application up and running.
• Stability without stagnation: Ensures backwards compatibility and early adoption of latest web standards and JavaScript language features.

Pros and Cons of Using Ember.js

Pros:

• Strong community support
• Comprehensive documentation and resources
• Early adoption of JavaScript language features
• Glimmer VM enables fast compilation

Cons:

• Large size
• Steep learning curve
• Rigidity, leaving little room for exploration
• Many outdated tutorials

Is Ember.js Worth Learning?

While Ember.js has its advantages, its steep learning curve and low skill-demand rate might make it less appealing for some developers. However, if you’re interested in learning Ember.js for curiosity or specific job requirements, it’s definitely worth exploring.