Exploring MERN Stack and Tech Stacks: A Comparative Analysis

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 12 | Dec 2023 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2023, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.226 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 386
Exploring MERN Stack and Tech Stacks: A Comparative Analysis
Narne Renuka Chowdary1, Venkata Gayathri Dammala2, Manjunath Donthineni3 , Shahid Khan
Pathan4
1,2UG student Dept of CSE (Cyber security, IOT incl. Blockchain Technology), VVIT, Andhra Pradesh, India
3UG student Dept of Computer Science and Engineering, VIT, Andhra Pradesh, India
4 UG student Dept of Computer Science and Engineering, QISCET, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Abstract - This paper explores the MERN stack, comprising
MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js, highlighting its
superior applications and advantages over alternative web
technologies. Examining the stack's architecture and
components, we emphasize its versatility in real-time
applications and its efficiency in fosteringcodereusabilityand
modularity. The research advocates for MERN stackadoption,
presenting a concise guide for developers and businesses to
leverage its unified JavaScript-based framework for modern
and efficient web development
Key Words: MongoDb, React JS, Node JS, Express JS,
MEAN, Python, Java, Libraries, Framework
1.INTRODUCTION
In today’s era the MERN stack was one of the most popular
revolutionized concept in web development. Now this
research paper provides a comprehensiveexplorationofthe
MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) stack in web
development, focusing on its applications and the ease of
integration with other technologies. In the contemporary
landscape of webdevelopment,theMERN stack hasemerged
as a prominent choice for building robust, scalable, and
efficient web applications.
1.1 What is MERN Stack?
MERN Stack is a widely used technology for building
frontend and backend applications.
FRONTEND development is creating interactions for the
users to use the application for exampleuserinterfaceinweb
browser.
BACKEND development is the work on the server side.
Operations at the backend are not realized by the users.
Backend technology primarily aimsatdatabases,serversand
API’s.
MERN is a short form for MONGO DB, EXPRESS JS, REACT
and NODE JS. Each technology in the MERN stack plays an
important role in building web-based applications. React is
for building frontend interfaces and rest of the three are for
backend development. In the MERN stack, reactservesasthe
Presentation Layer, responsible for creating a dynamic and
interactive user interfaceontheweb.Node.js,withExpress.js,
constitutes the Application Layer, managing HTTP requests,
routing, and executing business logic on the server. The
Business Logic Layer, embedded within the Application
Layer, encompasses the rules and processes governing data
processing. Consider Fig-1 whereMongoDB,employedasthe
Data Access Layer, facilitates storage and retrieval of data,
acting as the underlying database for the application. The
advantage of building website with mern stack technology is
that it can seamlessly integrate with other emerging
technologieslikeArtificialIntelligence,MachineLearning,IoT
(Internet of Things), Blockchain, Cloud Services, etc.
Fig-1: Layered Architecture
1.2 MONGO DB
Mongo DB is a NoSQL database that integrates not only
with mern but also with other various technologies. It is a
database meant for easier development, scaling of
applications, and deployment. Many organizationsareusing
MongoDB for building applications such as: Content
Management Systems (CMS), E-commercePlatforms,Mobile
App Development.
It's important to note that while MongoDB is well-suited
for certain use cases, the choice of a database system
depends on various factors, including the specific
requirements of the application.
1.3 EXPRESS JS
Express.js is a flexible Node.js webapplicationframework
that provides a powerful set of features to develop web and

mobile applications. It is designed to make the process of
building web applications and APIs (Application
Programming Interfaces) in Node.js much simpler. With
middleware and routing, Express JS makes it effortless to
organize the functionality of your application.
It will add useful features for Node.js HTTP objects,
making it easier to render dynamic HTTP. Express.js allows
developers to handle various HTTP methods (e.g., GET,
POST, PUT, DELETE) for different URL patterns.
1.4 REACT JS
For building user interfaces based on components,
react.js is a free and open-source front-end JavaScript
library. Meta and a community of individual developers and
companies are responsible for its maintenance. Virtual DOM
(Document Object Model) is a concept and techniqueusedin
React.js to improve the efficiency of updating the user
interface. It is introduced by react on, a low-level copy of the
actual DOM.
When a component's state changes, the react will first
update the virtual DOM and then make efficient updates of
only the parts that are needed in an actual DOM. Witha large
library and tools that complement its functions, react has an
active ecosystem.
React can easily integrate with various backend
technologies, allowing developers to build interactive and
dynamic user interfaces that communicate efficiently with
server-side APIs. Reactions are characterized by a bilateral
data flow, which means that changes occur in the same
direction from parent to child components. This allowsusto
understand the change of data through an application, thus
making code propagation predictable and less error-prone.
1.5 NODE JS
Node.js, especially on the server side, has a critical role to
play when developing web applications. JavaScript can be
used for development on both the client and server-side by
Node.js developers. The development is simplified and code
reuse is encouraged by this alignment of programming
languages throughout the stack.
Node.js is intended to be non-blocking and event-driven,
which means it can handle a large number of concurrent
connections without becoming slowed by waiting for I/O
operations to complete. As a result, Node.js is well-suited for
applications requiring high concurrency and real-time
responses.
Node.js is frequently used to create RESTful APIs. Its
lightweight and efficient design makesitideal forprocessing
HTTP requests and answers, making it easier to develop
backend services for web and mobile apps.
2. DICUSSION ABOUT MERN STACK AND OTHER
WEB DEVELOPMENT STACKS
There are various stack technologies such as MEAN
Stack, MEVN Stack, Django Stack, Python Flask Stack, and
Spring boot stack in the account for creating web-based
applications. The efficiency of a technology stack dependson
various factors.
The term "full-stack" refers to developers who have
expertise in both frontend (client-side)andbackend(server-
side) development. A full-stack developer is capable of
working on all aspects of a web application, from designing
user interfaces to managing server-side logic and databases.
The technologies used in a full-stack development stack can
vary, but here are some common combinations.
2.1 DJANGO STACK
The Django stack revolves around the Django web
framework, a high-level Python framework for server-side
development. Django ORM (Object-Relational Mapping)
facilitates seamless interaction with databases, translating
between Python objects and relational database tables.
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are used for frontend
development. Django follows the "batteries-included" (The
term "batteries-included" is often used to describe
frameworks that come with a rich set of built-in tools and
features, allowing developers to be more productive and
focus on building application-specific logic rather than
dealing with the intricacies of setting up basic
functionalities.) philosophy, providing a comprehensive set
of features, including an admin interface and authentication
system, making it a robust choice for rapid development.
2.2 RUBY ON RAILS
Ruby on Rails, often referred to as Rails, is the focal
point of this stack. A web application framework written in
Ruby, Rails follows the convention over configuration(CoC -
A software development principle that suggestsa defaultset
of conventions and assumptions to streamline the
development process.) and don't repeat yourself (DRY
principle advocates for avoiding redundancy in code)
principles, emphasizing simplicity and productivity. Active
Record serves as the Object-Relational Mapping tool,
facilitating interaction with databases. HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript are employedforfrontenddevelopment.TheRails
stack is celebrated for its developer-friendly approach and
convention-driven development.
2.3 LAMP STACK
The LAMP stack is a classic combination of Linux,
Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Python/Perl. Linux serves as the
operating system, Apache as the web server, MySQL as the
relational database management system, and

PHP/Python/Perl as the server-side scripting language.
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are utilized for frontend
development. LAMP has been a popular choice for building
web applications, known for its open-source components
and widespread support.
2.4 PYTHON FLASK STACK
The Python Flask stack centers around Flask, a
lightweight and flexible Python web framework.
SQLAlchemy, a SQL toolkit, is used for efficient database
interaction. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript handle the frontend
development. Flask is known for its simplicity and
minimalism, providing developers with the freedom to
choose components based on project requirements while
maintaining a clean and modular codebase
2.5 SPRING BOOT STACK
Spring Boot, a Java-based framework, is the
cornerstone of this stack. Spring Data JPA provides a data
access framework for Java, simplifying database interaction.
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are employed for frontend
development. Spring Boot is designed to streamline the
development of Java applications, emphasizing convention
over configuration and offering a wide range of features for
building scalable and maintainable systems.
2.5 MERN VS MEAN VS MEVN STACK
Angular.js (Frontend Framework) is used for
building dynamic user interfaces. It is a comprehensive
framework maintained by Google, designed for creating
powerful single-page applications (SPAs).
Developers widely recognize Vue.jsasa progressive
JavaScript framework appreciated for its simplicity and
flexibility, enabling them to incrementally adopt its features
and making it suitable for both small and large-scale
projects.
React.js (JS Library) is used as a frontend libraryfor
building user interfaces. React is developed and maintained
by Facebook, focusing on creating reusable UI components
and providing a virtual DOM for efficient updates.
3. EFFICIENCES OF STACKS:
The efficiencyofa technologystack dependsonvarious
factors, including the specific requirements of the project,
the expertise of the developmentteam,scalabilityneeds, and
performance considerations. Different technology stacks
have their strengths and are suitable for different use cases.
MEAN/MERN/MEVN:
Strengths:
JavaScript throughout the stack for seamless development.
Single language (JavaScript) simplifies developmentforfull-
stack developers.
Strong support for building modern, dynamic, and scalable
web applications.
Considerations:
May have a steeper learning curve for beginners.
DJANGO:
Strengths:
Rapid development with a "batteries-included" philosophy.
Clean and pragmatic design.
Excellent documentation.
Considerations:
This may be more opinionated, which can limit flexibility.
RUBY ON RAILS:
Strengths:
Convention over configuration for increased developer
productivity.
Elegant and concise code.
Considerations:
May have a learning curve for developers new to Ruby.
LAMP:
Strengths:
Long-established and well-supported stack.
Wide adoption with a large community.
Considerations:
May be perceived as less modern compared to newerstacks.
PYTHON FLASK:
Strengths:
Lightweight and flexible.
Well-suited for small to medium-sized projects.
Considerations:
Less opinionated compared to larger frameworks.
SPRING BOOT:
Strengths:
A comprehensive ecosystem with a strong emphasis on
enterprise-level applications.
Excellent support for building scalable and robust systems.
Considerations:
Java-based, which might have a steeper learning curve.
Considerations for Efficiency:
Project Size and Complexity:
Larger frameworks like Django or Spring Boot may be
suitable for complex enterprise-level applications.
Smaller frameworks like Flask might be more efficient for
smaller projects.
Developer Experience:
Consider the familiarity and expertise of your development
team with a particular stack.
Scalability Requirements:
Some stacks are designed with scalability in mind and might
be more efficient for high-traffic applications.

Community Support: The size and activity of the
community can impacttheavailabilityofresources,libraries,
and support.
Specific Technology Requirements: Consider whether
specific technologies or features are necessary for your
project.
Ultimately, the choice of a technologystack shouldalignwith
the specific needs and goals of your project. There's no one-
size-fits-all answer, and the efficiency of a stack depends on
how well it meets the particular requirements of the
application being developed.
4. APPLICATIONS
Currently, numerous websites employ the MERN
stack in their applications. Some notable examples include
Netflix, Uber Eats, Airbnb, Instagram, Walmart, and many
others. Let's now focus on a specific application, such as an
e-learning platform. This platform primarily serve students
to enhance their knowledge and come in various forms,
including those provided by universities, private
organizations, and governments. The e-learning platform
we're discussing is built using the MERN stack.
This platform contains comprehensive materials
required for an engineering curriculum spanning four years
which are stored in mongodb. In additiontothese resources,
it features blogs authored by both students and faculty
members. Mongoose can be simplify the interactions with
database.
These blogs can cover various topics, particularly
emerging technologies, enabling users to stay updated.
Moreover, the platform offers students quick access to their
results whenever they are published or needed. These
Results can be handled through redux.
Faculty members can access detailed student
information,organizedbydepartment.Chartinglibrarieslike
Chart.js or D3.js can be used to create interactive charts and
graphs to represent student performance and results
visually.
The website also provides login credentials for
different user roles, including faculty, students, data entry
officer (DEOs), and administrators. The management of
these login credentialsismeticulouslyhandledusingReact.js
libraries such as bycrypt, jwt tokens etc.
Fig-2: Architecture of MERN Stack
Table -1: Evolution of MERN

5. CONCLUSIONS
In the MERN stack, consisting of MongoDB,
Express.js, React.js, and Node.js,standsoutasa powerful and
versatile framework for modern web development. This
research delves into the stack's architecture, individual
components, and its applications, emphasizing its
superiority in real-time and scalable web applications.
Comparative analysis with other stacks such as
MEAN, Django, Ruby on Rails, LAMP, Python Flask, and
Spring Boot reveals that the choice of a technology stack
depends on factors like project size, developer experience,
scalability requirements, and specific technology needs.
While each stack has its strengths, the MERN stack's
adoption by industry giants like Netflix, Uber Eats, and
Airbnb showcases its widespread acceptance and successin
building robust applications.
The applications section illustrates a practical use
case of the MERN stack in developing ane-learningplatform,
showcasing its capabilities in handling complex
functionalities, data management, and userroles.Inessence,
the MERN stack emerges as an efficient and modern choice
for developers and businesses seeking a unified JavaScript-
based framework for streamlined and scalable web
development.
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