Gulp is a popular task runner built on Node.js that simplifies and automates various development tasks. It allows developers to define and run tasks such as minification, compilation, testing, and more using a simple and efficient code-over-configuration approach. Gulp's streaming build system processes files as streams, which results in faster task execution and reduced I/O operations.
WMR (Webpack Module Reloader) is a zero-config development tool that aims to simplify the modern web development workflow. It provides a fast and efficient way to bundle and reload modules during development, allowing for quick iteration and feedback. WMR focuses on speed and simplicity, offering features like hot module replacement and automatic code splitting without the need for complex configuration.
Gulp has been a popular task runner for a long time and has a large community following. It has been widely adopted by developers and has a considerable number of plugins available. On the other hand, WMR (with mordern module approach) is a relatively new project and may not have gained as much popularity as Gulp yet.
Build System
Gulp is a task runner and build system that focuses on automating repetitive tasks such as minification, concatenation, and transpilation. It provides a flexible and configurable workflow with the help of various plugins. WMR, on the other hand, is a modern build tool specifically designed for bundling and serving React applications. It aims to simplify the development process with its zero-config approach and built-in hot module reloading (HMR).
Developer Experience
Gulp offers a more flexible and customizable development experience. It allows developers to write tasks in JavaScript, providing a wide range of options and control over the build process. WMR focuses on simplicity and ease of use, providing a more streamlined development experience with its zero-config setup. It comes with sane and opinionated defaults, making it ideal for small to medium-sized projects.
Performance
Performance-wise, Gulp is known for its streaming approach, which enables it to process large files efficiently. It allows developers to create efficient pipelines, minimizing I/O operations. WMR, on the other hand, utilizes modern bundling techniques to optimize the performance of development builds. It leverages the native ES modules feature for lightning-fast bundling and provides fast development iterations with HMR.
Plugin Ecosystem
Gulp has a vast plugin ecosystem with a wide range of plugins available for various tasks and transformations. It has been around for a long time, and as a result, many developers have created plugins to extend its functionality. WMR, being a more focused build tool, may have a smaller plugin ecosystem compared to Gulp, but it still has support for popular features like CSS modules and TypeScript.
Community Support
Gulp has a large and active community, which means there is plenty of community support available in the form of forums, tutorials, and documentation. It also has extensive documentation on its official website, making it easier for developers to get started and find solutions to common problems. WMR, being relatively new, might have a smaller community, but it is actively maintained and supported.
