Ask HN: Can you help me choose a JS framework? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Can you help me choose a JS framework?

6 pointsbrfox5 comments

I would like to make a multiplication practice app for my daughter. She is very particular about how she practices her math, eg. she does not like apps with timers, she would like a progress chart (i.e. save progress on device/browser). We basically haven't found a good app for iphone/android. I also thought it would be fun to have her be the "project manager" and I can build the app - to give her some appreciation of the process. After all of this we may build something nice! In that case, I'd like to submit it to the app stores out there.

My current skill set is python/django server side web programming and data analysis. But, I've dabbled in jQuery and so I know a little javascript.

I would like to stick to html/js/css and then using something like PhoneGap (or alternatives?) to package the web site (or single page app?) for app store distribution. I am just trying to read about all the differences between, eg. ember, knockout, AppFramework/Intel, dojo, jQueryMobile, node. But I can't figure out which one would be best for this specific scale of project and with other of my own requirements (web app, distributable to iphone/android, easy to learn, has good programming practices).

Anyone care to suggest a roadmap to help me out?

Another vote for AngularJS. It is simply awesome.

You'll have a couple of hurdles when working with Django because they both use {{ }}. Using the Django {% verbating %} to enclose your Angular worked well for me. Also if you rely on $resource in Angular, it removes slashes from urls so sometimes it's easier to resort to $http or escape your slashes.

Couple of references:

http://pragmaticstartup.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/some-lesson...

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/14533117/angular-trailing...

enjoy.

I've been dabbling in Ember.js, and with version 1.0 it's really coming together. I highly recommend at least checking it out. Now, it seems to be aligned with Rails as far as conventions and ideology, so I don't know if being a Python/django guy would be a hinderance.

Good luck! The landscape of javascript frameworks is MASSIVE.

If you know jQuery well, you will be right at home with knockout. If you want to learn a slightly "better" way with a much steeper learning curve, build it with angularjs. Angular was built essentially to prevent the callback hell you get in large jquery peojexts

i also have a background in python - django and flask - as well as data analysis. i am currently learning node at the moment. powerful stuff. javascript front and back. i couple it with express.

i am getting ready to draft a blog post on working with node/express/ajax which you may be interested in.

a buddy of mine uses the same setup for all his phonegap apps. they not only look amazing, but they are fairly easy to put together.

best of luck.

angularjs

The good -Great framework -You will get things done quickly once you know how to use it The Bad -It has a huge learning curve, expect to spend few weeks before getting used.

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