The four components that comprise MERN stack

As mentioned previously, the four components of MERN stack work together to create a cohesive and efficient stack for developing full-stack JavaScript applications. Read on to gain a deeper understanding of each element of the stack.  

1. MongoDB

MongoDB is a NoSQL database that is used as the data storage component in MERN stack. Known for its flexibility and scalability, MongoDB is a great choice to handle large quantities of data. MongoDB stores data in JSON-like documents, which allows for easy integration with JavaScript-based applications. Its query language and data manipulation capabilities make it a powerful tool for managing and retrieving data in MERN applications.

2. Express.js

Express.js is a lightweight web application framework that runs within a Node.js server. It provides features and utilities for building web applications and application programming interfaces (APIs). Express.js simplifies handling HTTP requests, defining routes, and managing middleware. It allows developers to create robust server-side applications quickly and efficiently. Express.js seamlessly integrates with other components of the MERN stack and enables efficient communication between the front end and the back end.

3. React

React is the front-end part of MERN stack and is often a common choice for developing user interfaces (UI). The architecture React builds upon is component-based. This enables developers to make and maintain reusable UI components. It provides a virtual document object model (DOM) that optimizes rendering performance by efficiently updating only the necessary parts of the UI. React's declarative syntax and efficient rendering make it a powerful tool for creating interactive and dynamic web applications.

Read more: What Is a React Developer? (And How to Become One)

4. Node.js

Node.js is a common JavaScript environment. Specifically, it’s a runtime environment, enabling developers to utilize JavaScript code in various places, including outside of a web browser. It serves as the backend component in MERN stack. Node.js provides an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that is highly scalable and efficient. It allows developers to build server-side applications using JavaScript, enabling code sharing between the front end and back end. Node.js has a vast ecosystem of modules and packages, making it easy to integrate with other technologies and libraries.