Advice on loopback.js vs express js
Planning to build an enterprise level application using node js. Have already worked on express js for a few projects.
When researching for other possible frameworks, came across loopback js. Loopback.js, a new framework(3-4 years) built over express framework. The initial configuration and set up of the application was so quick, as i able to set up api endpoints, basic crud, acl, user auth, jwt in few hours. The documentation is bit complex and coid maintenance not good.
But for a bigger application, is loopback.js scalable and how about performance and its default ORM? With express we can write everything the way we want and in a custom way.
Need some advise and points on this. loopback.js vs express js
Answer
As you've pointed out, Loopback is built on top of express. Whatever you wish to do with express, can be done with loopback.
The default ORM is capable of handling basic crud and querying across different datasources. If you need, You can write native queries for atleast mongodb, and mysql (I haven't checked all connectors).
Loopback is centred around models. https://loopback.io/doc/en/lb3/LoopBack-core-concepts.html
If your application can be broken down into model like entities, then you should go with loopback in my opinion. It saves development time, and comes with a lot of functionality built in.
I personally like their documentation. For general use cases, its enough.
Loopback is a bit opinionated framework. They have a cli tool for generating models, remote-methods, datasources etc. They even have an own eslint style guide. I find it reasonable however.
I have used loopback in production at 2 companies, we never ran into 'scaling' problems