What is the difference between SLDS and Aura Components?

Hello Sanjana

Aura is an open-source UI framework built by Salesforce for developing dynamic web apps for mobile and desktop devices.To build lightning components in salesforce lightning we use the Lightning component framework. The lightning component framework is not different from the Aura framework rather it is a subset of the Aura framework. The Lightning Component framework is built on the open-source Aura framework. However, the open-source Aura framework has some features that aren’t available to Lightning Component framework.

Thank you.

Hi,

Differences Between SLDS and Aura :-

FRAMEWORK:

First of all Salesforce Lightning Design System is a CSS based framework.
Used for creating dynamic apps while on the other hand Lightning Components Framework  uses aura components for creating the dynamic apps.

CONTROLLERS:

In case of Lightning Components Framework We need to write two Controllers    one for client side and the other one for server side. while in case of Salesforce Lightning Design System we need to write only one controller which will be a server side controller.
Note:The client side Controller that we will write for Lightning Components Framework would be written using java script while the server side controller will be written using apex.

SALESFORCE DATA:

By using Lightning Components Framework we can build an app which will be completely independent of salesforce data while in case of Salesforce Lightning Design System(SLDS) do need some salesforce data which can be accessed using Javascript Remote Objects.

CLIENT CENTRIC:

Lightning Components Framework are client-side centric while Salesforce Lightning Design System are server-side centric.

PERFORMANCE:

Because Lightning Components are client side centric therefore they are better.
Equipped for creating dynamic web apps then Salesforce Lightning Design System.

MOBILE FRIENDLY:

As mentioned above  Lightning Components are client side centric therefore they are more mobile friendly as compared to the Salesforce Lightning Design  System(SLDS).

EVENT DRIVEN PROGRAMMING:

In Lightning Component Framework Event Driven programming such as Javascript and java swing is used for writing helpers which responds to Interface events as they occur but in Salesforce Designing System there is no such concept of Event Driven Programming.

COMPLEXITY:

Because In the Lightning Component Framework we need to create two controllers and also it uses  event driven programming language such as  Javascript therefore it is much for complex as compared to the Salesforce Lightning Design System(SLDS)

Hope this helps.