Developing frontend applications without frameworks means building web projects without using any frontend frameworks such as Vue or React, and instead relying directly on JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. This approach allows developers to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and mechanisms of frontend development, while avoiding over-reliance on frameworks.
For static projects or low-complexity applications with limited functionality, developing without a framework is often more than sufficient. Code written with frameworks must be compiled before it can be rendered in the browser, which is why tools like Webpack exist. Frameworks such as Vue were created to solve specific pain points—like two-way data binding and automatic reactive updates—but they also require developers to follow framework-specific syntax and conventions. As frameworks evolve, developers must continuously learn and adapt to new versions.
Frameworks are undoubtedly beneficial for development efficiency, but for simple requirements, avoiding a framework can actually be the wiser choice. Whether or not to use a framework should always be decided based on the actual project requirements.
When developing multiple similar websites, unbundled code can be uploaded directly to the server and modified in place. In contrast, when using a framework, only the compiled output is deployed, and any changes require local modification and rebuilding, which can be more time-consuming. After becoming proficient in pure JavaScript development, developers can even go on to build their own tools or frameworks.