Why Nest.js?

A framework called NestJS makes programming easier. The rules of NestJS are unique, and it’s not just for backend development. The framework supports DDD, events are sourced, and microservice architecture is available. In addition, it is open-source, lightweight, and easy to use.

With many features for swiftly developing and deploying enterprise services and adhering to the principles of SOLID and 12-factor applications, NestJS is a relatively recent backend development alternative.

What is Nest.js?

Server-side Node.JS applications are developed using the Nest.JS framework. Because TypeScript is used in the Nest framework, developers may create extremely scalable and tested apps.

Nest.JS, built on top of Express.JS, provides various features and out-of-the-box APIs. As a result, nest.JS characteristics can be used by developers to create applications with minimal code. 

Angular architecture is strongly reliant on Nest.JS. A structured environment is nested within several files. Nest.JS enables developers to concentrate on a specific feature by segmenting the files into various modules.

For newcomers, Nest.JS provides a good framework and CLI tools to get started. Developers can use one command to scaffold an entirely new feature. Nest.JS offers the module, controller, service, and testing pile to get you started. Because the entire Nest framework is written in TypeScript, developers with prior experience only in frontend programming can easily use it.

Why is it important?

The framework you select will depend on the application you’re creating because various applications require various tools.

The various benefits of choosing Nest.js as your Node.js framework for updating or creating your next project are listed below. 

• Nest.js is simple to learn and understand, particularly for developers from the Angular world. Moreover, because team members are quickly adaptable to new development concepts and frameworks, this results in a speedy and efficient development process.
• Building highly scalable and stable enterprise applications are made simple by the framework’s well-known outstanding architectural structure for enterprise applications straight out of the box.
• With Nest.js, you can easily create backend services such as RESTful APIs, GraphQL applications, MVC applications, Web sockets, CLI, and Cron jobs. The Nest.js framework already includes some of the common architecture.
• You can create scalable and maintainable enterprise-ready apps with Nest.js thanks to its cutting-edge technologies like TypeScript, solid architectural patterns, comprehensive documentation, and simple unit testing.
• Nest.js was developed for creating massive monolithic and microservices systems, where the architecture is already taken care of, and only the business logic needs to be developed.
• To build out any specific feature of your choice, Nest.js supports and offers a sizable community-based, nest-supported module library, which includes ideas like TypeORM, Mongoose, and GraphQL in addition to logging, validation, caching WebSockets, and much more.

We’ll then examine the advantages and disadvantages of Nest.js. As we cover both the positive and negative aspects of the framework, this will support your decision to accept it.

Features of Nest.js

Container for Dependency Injection

There is a Dependency Injection Container included with NestJS. It is a tool that the JavaScript community seems to have forgotten, but that cannot be ignored. In addition to supporting factory injection, Nest JS appears to have its solution.

Modularization

Every logical component of an application within the same domain boundary is referred to as a module in Nest JS, which strongly promotes encapsulation.

Testability

You can pretty much create your application utilizing these services and isolate your controller’s functionality thanks to the introduction of the Dependency Injection Container and modularization. This makes the application easier to test.

TypeScript

The benefit of TypeScript is that it prevents you from believing that the object you are assigning to the variable is the one you require.

Here are some additional features:

• Because of its familiarity, angular developers will find Nest JS to be a wonderful tool.
• Nest JS is a structural development methodology that enables big teams to produce complicated backends more reliably. When utilizing Express or any other basic framework, this is crucial.
• Nest JS, Spring, and.NET are comparable in many ways. Therefore, developers familiar with these technologies can apply the hard-learned patterns and best practices while employing Nest JS.
• Platform-independent Nest JS supports REST, GraphQL, Websockets, gRPC, and other protocols.
• Nest JS encourages the reuse of code.

Pros of Nest.js

The following are some advantages of utilizing Nest.js:

• Strong but approachable: The framework is straightforward for developers, making even the most intricate and potent features accessible. The Nest.js team created the framework so developers could get up and running quickly and concentrate on creating the business logic. In contrast, the framework took care of other crucial development elements, such as security.
• Backend syntax in the Angular style: Angular is a well-liked frontend framework emphasising architecture and organization. Because Nest.js employs Angular syntax and style to assist you in structuring your corporate project, it functions as Angular for the backend.
• TypeScript: By giving compile faults and warnings, TypeScript is supported by Nest.js out of the box, which improves efficiency and makes it easier to write maintainable applications. It is effectively integrated into VSCode thanks to TypeScript, enabling a user-friendly programming environment.
• Detailed documentation: Nest.js has some of the most comprehensive and simple-to-understand documentation of any framework. By quickly scanning the documentation, you can find the answer to your problem and reduce the amount of time spent debugging.
• Nest.js gives you a solid structure and architecture to work with immediately, increasing your development processes while saving you time while building out your application, whether you’re developing your first MVP or the actual programme.

Cons of Nest.js

According to a well-known adage, every advantage has a drawback, and Nest.js is no exception. So let’s look at Nest.js’ drawbacks:

• Nest.js can be challenging for new developers to learn and master if they don’t have any experience with Angular. Additionally, as not all JavaScript developers utilize TypeScript, these groups of developers may also find the framework challenging. However, it takes time and practice, just like any other technology.
• Although TypeScript offers numerous advantages, it also presents many debugging issues, especially for novice developers in the TypeScript community.

Here are Nest.js’s benefits and drawbacks and how they may affect your decision to use it as your preferred framework.

Future of Nest.js

Nest has more than 14k GitHub stars and more than 100k npm weekly downloads. In addition, many businesses currently employ it in their manufacturing processes, with Adidas being the biggest customer.

Due to its usage of TypeScript and connection to Angular, Nest stands out as a server-side JavaScript framework, although it lacks the backing of a significant company. This is only a minor issue, but it should be considered when selecting a framework for your tech stack.

Conclusion

When using Angular as the frontend framework for your Typescript web application, Nest fits in flawlessly.

Nest significantly borrows Angular’s design patterns and folder organization. We, as developers, may concentrate more on developing the endpoints by taking advantage of this straightforward and consistent structure rather than wasting time on application structuring. Unfortunately, nest conceals a lot of ugly JavaScript and terrible Node.js boilerplate behind annotations, structures, and patterns.