Backbone.js is a lightweight JavaScript library that provides structure to web applications by offering models, views, collections, and events. It's often used with Underscore.js for utility functions and follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architectural pattern.
Core Concepts
- Model: Represents data and business logic. Use
Model.extend()
to create custom models. - View: Binds UI elements to models. Renders templates with
view.render()
. - Collection: Manages groups of models. Extends
Collection
for custom data sets. - Router: Handles URL routing and navigation. Define routes with
router.route()
. - Events: Facilitates communication between components. Use
events.trigger()
andevents.on()
.
Key Features
- Lightweight and flexible
- Promotes separation of concerns
- Integrates with Underscore.js for data manipulation
- Easy to learn for JavaScript developers
Use Cases
- Single-page applications (SPAs)
- Data-driven interfaces
- Projects requiring MVC structure
- Rapid prototyping
For deeper exploration, check our Backbone.js Tutorials section to learn how to build real-world applications with this framework.