Trio
Both PHP and Node.js can be helpful tools for web development. While each tool allows for server-side scripting, many differences set them apart.
While JavaScript is the go-to language for front-end web development, choosing what tool or language you’ll use for your back-end development is an important decision when considering the scalability of your application.
There are many ways to develop a website. However, ensuring that your website meets and surpasses expectations requires web development software that can be optimized to your needs. When this is the case, Node.js vs. PHP is a frequent topic of discussion.
Though you will soon learn that Node.js stands out as a premier tool for back-end development — even when PHP is in the picture — you’ll have the opportunity to come to this conclusion using a refined and analytical approach that compares the two tools in the following categories:
- Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
- Language Switches
- Modules & Frameworks
- Databases
- Community
- Learning Difficulty
- Speed && Performance
- Scalability
Continue reading for a deep dive into PHP vs. Node.js, featuring an in-depth side-by-side comparison of Node.js vs. PHP.
Node.js vs. PHP: Side-by-Side Comparison
A solid side-by-side comparison of Node.js vs. PHP does wonders when it comes to analyzing pros and cons in a systematic way. Take a look at what Node.js and PHP have to offer.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
Node.js is asynchronous; PHP is synchronous. This can be a major point of division for those invested in Node.js vs. PHP discourse.
In plain, asynchronous languages are tired of waiting and move from one request to another without delay.
Synchronous languages like PHP are more patient. When PHP receives a file request, the task is sent to the computer’s file system, then there is a waiting period while the file system opens and reads the file. The content is returned to the client. And finally, PHP is ready to handle the next request.
As imagined, waiting for your turn doesn’t exactly speed up development. Node.js is therefore faster, and at least in this regard, better.
TL;DR: The asynchronous design of Node.js puts the framework ahead of PHP. In terms of Node.js vs. PHP, Node.js is faster.
Language Switches
With the use of Node.js, developers do not have to switch from one language to another when it comes to back-end development versus front-end development. And developers are grateful for this convenience.
On the other hand, PHP’s chief usage is for back-end web development. Developers are probably familiar with the LAMP stack, a popular technology stack made up of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
Although such a stack is well-prepared to address all your development needs, it’s much easier to use Node.js as a runtime environment and employ full-stack JavaScript developers. In this case, putting all your eggs in one basket is actually recommended.
TL;DR: In comparing Node.js vs. PHP language switches, using Node.js allows for more convenience.
Modules & Frameworks
The subject of modules and frameworks may result in a tie for the Node.js vs. PHP deliberation. But it’s still important to know what each software can offer.
In PHP, you can use PEAR to access reusable components and Composer to manage your package dependencies. PHP also has many functional frameworks to help you with your development needs, Laravel and CodeIgniter being the most popular.
Through Node.js you’ll have the Node Package Manager (npm) available to you where you can publish and use packages with ease.
There are no huge differences between the two, except that using the command-line interface (CLI) installation for Node.js is relatively stress-free, but not enough to tip the scales.
TL;DR: Node.js and PHP have similar perks for their respective modules and frameworks.
Databases
PHP has built-in database support. Comparatively, with Node.js you must connect with databases through npm libraries. This is not exactly a disadvantage, but it does highlight PHP’s very intentional dedication to database support.
TL;DR: PHP’s intentional nature makes it the winner in the category of databases for Node.js vs PHP.
Related reading: Python vs. Java in 2021: Side-By-Side Comparison
Community
Approximately 80% of the web is powered by PHP. Being free and open-source, it goes without saying that PHP isn’t small-time on any scale. It’s also had an abundance of time to build its community since 1994.
Node.js was only released in 2009. Yet the language it runs on – JavaScript – has been a revolutionary tool in web development since its 1995 release. You can bet when Node.js launched that a flock of JavaScript developers rushed to test the waters, and haven’t stopped swimming yet.
By these standards, PHP and Node.js are par for par.
TL;DR: PHP and Node.js have comparable community bases.
Learning Difficulty
This is another topic in which the Node.js vs. PHP debate has head-to-head numbers. It is difficult to compare the two because PHP is a language and Node.js is an environment/framework.
Despite some calling PHP the easiest language there is, there is virtually no learning curve for web developers with Node.js as every web developer should be familiar with JavaScript in the first place – no matter what software they use for back-end development.
Ultimately, there’s no real winner here. But they’re both easy-to-learn languages.
TL;DR: This is another stalemate for Node.js vs. PHP.
Speed & Performance
Node.js and PHP should be your top choices if you want to prioritize speed for web development. As a matter of fact, PHP 7 is twice as fast as its predecessor, PHP 5. But when you compare Node.js and PHP directly, Node.js is much faster than PHP in execution.
TL;DR: Contrasting Node.js vs. PHP in speed and performance, Node.js wins.
Scalability
Technically, any framework or language can be scalable. But some languages and frameworks are better suited than others to scale up over time.
In this case, Node.js is typically favored over PHP for scalability as making complex PHP applications requires a higher than average proficiency in the language.
TL;DR: Node.js can offer more scalability than PHP.
Looking for a more in-depth take on Node.js and PHP? You’re in the right place. Keep scrolling.
What Is Node.js?
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform web development framework providing JavaScript developers with a runtime environment to write and test their code.
The most base features of Node.js like its open-source status and cross-platform availability, delegate its accessibility in two different ways.
In the first, Node.js users are welcome to a community of developers who modify the framework towards solution-oriented modules that you can use to ease development.
The second way merely denotes that you can run Node.js on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers, whatever your preferred operating system may be.
Notable Features
Before Node.js, developers could write JavaScript directly into their browsers. While this is certainly a convenience, having a runtime environment like that of Node.js gives JavaScript the capacity to compete with languages like Python by empowering developers to make standalone apps.
JavaScript being perhaps the most familiar web technology available, developers using Node.js are elated to work within a “JavaScript everywhere” paradigm. Essentially, this means that developers can rely on a single language – specifically JavaScript – for all facets of development.
Usually, the software development process is heavily dependent on a tech stack that includes different languages and frameworks to manage different parts of development.
For instance, while JavaScript might be deployed for front-end development, another language like Python or Ruby might be utilized for back-end development, and an entirely different database language is often necessary as well.
The primary advantage of Node.js is that it simplifies the web development process. With Node.js, your business can build scalable network applications fast. To do this, Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. In other words, Node.js is asynchronous and doesn’t like waiting.
As an illustration, when a web server receives a file request, Node.js immediately sends the task to your machine’s file system and is ready to receive another request before opening and/or reading the given file.
In effect, Node.js is very fast, in spite of managing processes on a single thread. Node.js never buffers data and simply outputs data in chunks. And with speed, comes scalability.
What Are the Advantages of Node.js?
Besides being an excuse for web developers to use JavaScript more than they do already, Node.js comes with an array of nuanced advantages that can aid your business’s web development.
Simple
Node.js is easy to learn, especially if you’re already familiar with JavaScript and object-oriented programming (OOP) fundamentals. Most professional web developers should have complete mastery of JavaScript and OOP concepts as is, so there’s not a steep learning curve.
To boot, Node.js lends a bridge connecting front-end and back-end development. The result is less miscommunication and knowledge gaps between one end of development to the other. Software development teams only need to be responsible for one codebase and one deployment.
Fast
You’ve learned about some of the features of Node.js making it particularly fast when it comes to developing and running software. These features make deployment speedy as well.
For your business, this leads to faster time-to-market cycles. Time is always a crucial factor for startups who are eager to release software and gather constructive feedback.
Scalable
A few other Node.js features serve to remind developers that the framework’s design is built for scalability. One such feature is load balancing, a methodical distribution approach where requests are pushed to the servers most available to fulfill them.
Another superpower of Node.js is its ability to handle a large number of concurrent connections. This is exactly what it sounds like and permits many users to use your website at once without overloading the system.
Reliable
Developers who are anxious about using new software should be relieved to know that many major companies have done the same with great results.
PayPal, Netflix, and eBay are some of the more popular use cases. Later, you’ll find out how exactly these companies put Node.js to work.
Community
Since Node.js is both open-source and cross-platform, there are few, if any, limitations on the growth of its community. Of course, this community will be paramount in helping you solve new problems that arise and seek out advice.
When Is the Use of Node.js Recommended?
JavaScript is first and foremost a language for front-end development. Prior to its conception, developers could only make static web content. After a web page was loaded in the browser, it remained as is, plain and unmoving.
The invention of JavaScript brought about the possibility for dynamic web page content. Simply put, this was the gateway for developing interactive and attractive UIs, something that users with a short attention span can actually look forward to.
But this evolution could not take place without the use of client-side scripting. This way, elements of a web page can be updated on the client-side or browser without JavaScript having to communicate with the server.
Node.js, in contrast, is for server-side scripting and back-end development. Though client-side JavaScript is immensely useful, Node.js authorizes developers to use JavaScript for the logic, functionality, and database systems that are essential to running a website as a whole.
In sum, the use of Node.js is recommended to program non-blocking, event-driven servers. Not to mention, you can use its developmental advantages to quickly build a minimum viable product to test on the market.
Which Websites Use Node.js?
Having an idea of how a couple of hotshot companies take advantage of Node.js might help you figure out what Node.js can do for you. Here are a few examples.
PayPal
PayPal is an online system to make financial transactions safely. You can send and receive money directly through your account or connect PayPal with your bank.
In 2013, PayPal’s web applications abandoned Java in favor of JavaScript and Node.js. Historically – and this is true for most web developers – PayPal’s engineering team was divided between front-end and back-end development.
The consequence of this disunity was that their full-stack engineers were restricted in their true capacity. Node.js fixed this. As a result, PayPal’s Node.js app was built twice as fast with fewer developers, written with 33% fewer lines of code, and 40% fewer files.
Netflix
Netflix is a popular streaming service where users pay a small monthly fee for perhaps unparalleled access to a diverse range of films and series.
Given that at least every other person you know uses Netflix it is important that the Netflix web app is fast and scalable. Node.js is lightweight and powerful enough to deliver just that.
Specifically, Netflix uses a microservices architectural approach with Node.js. Due to this approach, Netflix is encompassed through a variety of smaller services instead of as a singular web app.
eBay
eBay is an e-commerce platform where just about anybody can buy and sell products as they wish.
Although the platform primarily uses Java, eBay engineers realized utilizing Java consumed more resources than necessary as compared to using JavaScript on the back-end with Node.js.
Based on this realization, eBay decided to start from the ground up and build a Node.js server with scalability built-in.
What Is PHP?
PHP is a general-purpose scripting language. The letters P-H-P represent a recursive acronym for Hypertext Preprocessor.
This terminology reflects PHP’s common usage in web development, as you can insert PHP right into the HTML – or Hypertext Markup Language – of a web page.
Notable Features
As HTML exists on the server-side, so does PHP, seamlessly integrating server-side scripting into the web development process.
Because PHP is a scripting language, as is JavaScript, PHP is interpreted at runtime in turn for compiled languages that are translated to machine code prior to runtime.
For this reason, compiled languages have the advantage of speed. But interpreted or scripting languages tend to provide higher-level abstractions, making it easier to write bug-free code.
The PHP language is also highly portable. It can be deployed on most web servers on almost every operating system and platform.
What Are the Advantages of PHP?
You’ll notice that some of the advantages of PHP and Node.js line up. This is why it’s so difficult to choose the right software and why Node.js vs. PHP is a worthy argument for any team of developers.
Simple
A PHP site can consist of just one file per page. Of course, this requires a more intuitive understanding than other languages for web development where developers must figure out what goes where and in what file.
The syntax itself is also logical and well-organized. There are basic coding principles like with any other languages, but you will find that PHP data structures need only a foundational comprehension.
Fast
Even when your website visitors are cursed with slow internet and disappointing data speeds, PHP can rise against such setbacks, loading fast and easy. Other applications lose speed because they spend time connecting to databases.
In contrast, PHP has a built-in module easing the process of connecting with databases. MySQL is the most commonly used database.
Flexibility
On the topic of databases, PHP supports connections to almost any database type. Other than MySQL, there is Microsoft SQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and more. PHP can also be used with non-relational databases like ElasticSearch, Redis, and MongoDB.
Stable
PHP has been around for over two decades. During this time frame, PHP’s community has taken the opportunity to improve application development two and threefold using the convenience of its open-source licensing.
When Is the Use of PHP Recommended?
Your developers can choose to make static or dynamic web pages using PHP. This was its initial purpose. But since it’s creation, developers have opted to use PHP to build the server-side of web applications.
In this vein, PHP is effectively a back-end development language. However, it’s important to note that PHP is actually general-purpose so you can use it for less obvious configurations.
You can develop desktop applications in PHP. And PHP’s latest versions support object-oriented programming, making it even more practical for development needs.
Which Websites Use PHP?
Some of the most popular websites you know have effectively used PHP to optimize their web development. Take note of how the following websites used PHP to enhance user experiences.
Facebook is a massive social network that is growing larger every day. Much of Facebook’s user-facing content is developed in PHP. Though since Facebook’s origin, they’ve expanded their tech stack.
In fact, Facebook created their own version of PHP known as Hack, which is supported by the HipHop Virtual Machine (HHVM) – another Facebook creation. It converts PHP into C++ leading to better overall performance.
WordPress
WordPress is the most popular content management system there is. Through WordPress, non-technical professionals can build their own websites without knowing much of anything about programming.
Ironically, almost every bit of WordPress is built with PHP from its themes to plugins. More code-friendly WordPress users can also learn PHP to better customize their websites.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia hosts information about nearly any topic you can think of via an online free encyclopedia that utilizes an open collaboration model.
While the original version of Wikipedia used Perl, PHP was essential in scaling Wikipedia to be more user-friendly and to that end, welcome more users.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, stacking software against each other doesn’t solve all your problems. Your business must take on an analytical role and consider each advantage and disadvantage closely to truly figure out what’s best.
PHP might not be as fast or event-driven as Node.js, but maybe database connectivity will be a determining factor in the specific software you decide to build.
When you do start building, besides what language or framework you use, it’s dually important that you have professionals to make sure you use them to their best ability. Trio can help you with that.
Our developers are qualified and trained to get your business where it needs to be. We have both Node.js developers and PHP developers to move your forward. Learn more about Trio today!
Visit Author page
-1.png)
Read Next
Node.js powers many of the modern real-time web applications you’re likely familiar with. It’s a scalable JavaScript runtime environment widely used to build online games, messengers, video platforms, and more. Technology companies like Netflix, Uber, Trello, and others use Node to create both rich user interfaces (UIs) and server-side environments.
Node derives a lot of its versatility from Node.js frameworks. But with countless frameworks available, which one is the best choice for your project? Read on to find out.
What Are Node.js Frameworks?
Node.js frameworks are pre-built tools and accelerators that further extend the functionality of Node.js. These frameworks are built by the Node developer community itself to aid fellow developers in their projects.
Node frameworks not only reduce development time and effort but also provide additional functionalities and dimensions to your projects. Moreover, they ensure a standardized codeset across your development team and enhance productivity.
Not all Node frameworks are built equal. They excel at different functions and choosing between them involves assessing your unique project requirements.
Types Of Node.js Frameworks
Depending on their support of a particular use case in the development lifecycle, Node.js frameworks are primarily of three types:
1. MVC
Model-view-controller (MVC) frameworks adopt a unique design pattern by splitting the application logic into three interconnected elements, namely models, views, and controllers. MVC frameworks separate the application’s business logic and display to produce a better division of labor. As a result, this enhances the scalability and maintainability of the application.
2. Full-Stack MVC
Full-stack MVC frameworks offer the tools to build both the front-end and back-end of applications, eliminating the need to work with multiple frameworks. They also offer capabilities like libraries, scaffolding, template engines, and more to offer a fully developed interface to the user.
3. REST API
Representational state transfer (REST) API frameworks offer a fast and flexible build experience by using REST APIs. These APIs enable seamless client-server interaction and allow developers to easily add additional functionalities to an application.
Top 14 Node.js Frameworks To Use in 2023
Based on their popularity and usage by Node.js developers, we have shortlisted the top frameworks for Node.js. These are some of the most widely-used frameworks, as shown in the Node.js Web Survey Report 2018.
1. Express.js
Express has more GitHub stars than any other Node.js framework, hinting at its substantial popularity. The MVC framework is fast, robust, asynchronous, and useful for designing single, multi-page, and hybrid web applications.
Express combines the best of API frameworks with browser-specific APIs that aren’t normally supported by Node.js. By connecting the back-end code to the browser, you can store files directly in the browser, which makes Express a top choice for dynamic content. It allows fast client-server interaction and aligns well with the single-threaded nature of Node.
Key Features
-
Rapid server-side development packages
-
Highly performant due to multiple processes executed asynchronously
-
Exceptionally high test coverage
-
Supports multiple template engines
-
Easily integrates with SQL and NoSQL databases
-
Easy content negotiation with URLs and HTTP protocol
2. Nest.js
Nest is a Node.js framework used for building extremely efficient server-side applications. It supports TypeScript as well as JavaScript, integrates well with Express.js, and supports elements of functional programming, object-oriented programming (OOP), and reactive programming.
You can use Nest to build multi-layered enterprise applications owing to its extensive collection of libraries. Nest is a fairly popular Node framework, though it is ranked second to Express in GitHub stars.
Key Features
-
Easy integration with frameworks like Express
-
Compatibility with Angular on the front-end
-
Large developer community
-
Small learning curve for beginners
-
Highly systematic and easy-to-use external libraries
3. Meteor.js
Meteor is an open-source and isomorphic Node framework specific to JavaScript. It allows rapid prototyping and the production of cross-platform codes. The framework is compatible with multiple operating systems like Android and iOS, making it ideal for developing simple yet modern and efficient web applications.
Meteor has a huge developer community offering support for new developers. Another important feature of the framework is its ability to process automatic changes to the front-end without any intervention from the developer. Meteor is known for being able to provide seamless data transfer between the client and the server. Such a feature is essential for high-streaming, real-time applications.
Key Features
-
Cross-platform framework
-
Rapid prototyping with command-line interface (CLI)
-
Full-stack solution
-
Easy integration with other frameworks
-
Lightweight yet feature-rich
-
Isomorphic framework
4. Koa.js
Koa is developed by the same team behind Express.js. Referred to as a lighter version of Express, Koa is highly effective in creating web applications due to its cascading middleware. With this feature, you can maintain different versions of the same webpage content for different users.
Many of Express’s plugins and libraries have been adapted to Koa, allowing you to enjoy the flexibility of Express and the lower complexity of Koa. With exceptional error handling and high customization, Koa is a contemporary framework that’s actively growing in scope.
Key Features
-
Increased personalization through cascading middleware
-
Resolution of code inconsistencies to increase maintainability
-
Ability to leverage Express’s rich ecosystem of libraries and packages
5. Sails.js
Sails is an MVC framework that supports modern, data-oriented development. Known for its compatibility with multiple databases and easy integration with Node Package Manager (npm), Sails is suitable for building high-end and complex web applications.
Sails isn’t tied to any specific front-end framework and uses Express for HTTP requests and Socket.io for WebSockets. It integrates well with other JavaScript frameworks and is also famous for its ability to auto-generate REST APIs. Sails doesn’t have the huge community support of Express but it’s a great option for developing custom, enterprise-scale applications.
Key Features
-
Reusable security policies
-
Object-relational mapping for compatibility with databases
-
Integration with Express and Socket.io
-
Support for Angular
6. Feathers.js
Feathers is a simplistic real-time framework built on top of Express for designing advanced web applications. Customizability and rapid development of robust and lightweight applications are a few of Feathers’s useful features. Feathers is a popular back-end framework that provides flexibility with not just Node but React Native as well.
Feathers is designed to simplify web and mobile app development. Developers using Feathers need not get into the complexity of RESTful APIs. The framework makes it easy to implement and connect features for web applications while also enabling you to execute SMS, authentications, and email messaging.
Key Features
-
Extremely lightweight codebase
-
Reusability in terms of services and functions
-
Command-line interface
-
Automatic RESTful APIs
7. Hapi.js
Hapi.js is a security-focused Node framework that doesn’t compromise functionality. The team behind Hapi focused on code quality control and verification when designing the open-source framework.
Developers often use the framework for building proxy servers, REST APIs, and other rich desktop applications. Hapi checks each npm package when installed and defines clear, immutable ownership. This enables developers to easily diagnose issues given the well-structured code.
Hapi also offers a lavish set of built-in plugins to eliminate any need for third-party middleware.
Key Features
-
Support for secure defaults
-
Rich ecosystem of libraries
-
Fast and easy debugging
-
Minimal overhead
-
High scalability
8. LoopBack.js
LoopBack.js is an open-source Node.js framework offering effortless connectivity with any other Node framework and different API services. Developers can enjoy reduced development time and excellent compatibility with a wide range of devices, browsers, databases, and operating systems when they use LoopBack.
LoopBack uses built-in modules to connect to different HTML5, iOS, and Android APIs. Another powerful feature of the framework is its ability to convert web applications to mobile apps. Loopback does this due to its support of SQL and NoSQL databases.
Key Features
-
High extensibility
-
Rich built-in modules
-
Well-structured codebase
-
Support for multiple databases
-
Built-in client API explorer
-
Full-stack development
9. MEAN.js
MEAN is not a framework, but an end-to-end development solution featuring a combination of open-source technologies. of dynamic web applications from scratch. Using MongoDB, Express, Angular, and Node.js (MEAN), engineers can develop secure, robust, maintainable, and dynamic applications.
Other important features of MEAN include isomorphic code generation for enhanced extensibility and single-language development.
Key Features
-
Lightweight and easy to use
-
Huge collection of libraries
-
Sizeable community support
-
Low memory overhead
10. Total.js
Total started as a Node.js framework for real-time applications, REST services, ecommerce platforms, and IoT projects. Now its use is versatile, operating as a content management system (CMS), HelpDesk,eShop, and more.
Total does not rely on dependencies through third-party tools and libraries. One of the key focus areas of the framework is the integration of applications with IoT services, REST services, and other super-fast applications. Total offers more than 100 services for JavaScript development, code sharing, cloud computing, and UI development.
Key Features
-
Real-time tracking
-
Compatibility with multiple databases
-
Rapid development and low maintenance cost
-
Inclusion of API testing
-
Integration with multiple front-end frameworks
-
Active, open source community
11. Socket.io
Socket.io is a JavaScript library for configuring real-time response updates and requests between applications. By establishing bidirectional communication between clients and servers, the library underpins real-time applications such as WhatsApp.
Applications that need to continuously refresh in the background require WebSocket development. Socket is especially ideal for such development projects. It also offers real-time analytics in a compact codebase.
Key Features
-
Binary support between clients and server
-
Auto-reconnection support
-
Multiplexing support
-
Error detection and auto-correction
-
Similar APIs for client and server-side development
12. Adonis.js
Adonis.js is an MVC Node framework focusing on an organized structure and stability. It reduces development time by focusing on a few essential development elements like out-of-the-box support for WebSocket, lifecycle dependency management, development speed, and productivity. Adonis consists of multiple packages that run on the server side of the application.
Key Features
-
Highly customizable template engine for delivering dynamic content
-
Native support for JSON APIs
-
Customization for WebSocket, ORM, JWT, routing
-
Native support for Express, MEAN, and Koa
13. Derby.js
Derby.js is a full-stack MVC development framework prioritizing ease of development. Creating real-time applications is a breeze with Derby as it allows the same code to run on Node.js (server) and the browser.
Derby uses the Racer engine that automatically syncs data between browsers, servers, and a database. This enables real-time synchronization between the user, application, and back-end. It also supports offline usage with a simple scripting feature.
Derby mitigates the delay in content delivery with client-side view rendering on the server. This makes applications SEO-friendly and enhances the user experience.
Key Features
-
Data synchronization through Racer engine
-
Support for offline use
-
Codeset customization
-
Bidirectional script development
14. Keystone.js
Most commonly used for content-heavy web development projects, Keystone is a Node framework for static and dynamic content management. Content management systems, online editorials, forums, social media platforms, and e-commerce platforms are some examples of applications that work great with Keystone.
Keystone consists of a collection of modules, supporting core functionality for back-end development, UI tools, and web protocols.
Key Features
-
Provides easy handling for large pieces of content
-
Decentralized modules
-
Smart data models
-
Real-time framework for managing, tracking, and publishing updates
-
Native add-on for image editing, storage, and management
How to Choose the Best Node.js Framework for 2023
Choosing the right Node.js framework for your development project becomes much easier if you’re able to define your standard for quality early on in the project. Clarity on what features and approaches are essential to your project’s success makes the choice much more objective.
For instance, if you value flexibility in your Node framework, then stay away from opinionated frameworks like LoopBack. Frameworks like Express, Koa, and Meteor will work best in this scenario. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a framework that is flexible, lightweight, and supports the auto-generation of REST APIs, you won’t go wrong with Sails or Feathers.
Whatever your choice of Node framework, you’ll need a talented team of Node.js developers to see your project to fruition. Trio provides you access to industry-leading and thoroughly vetted Node developers without inflated recruitment cycles. The process is fully streamlined and Trio even handles all the HR responsibilities for you, leaving you free to take your project to success.
Conclusion
Node.js is a powerful web development environment and its frameworks only enhance its capacity. Hiring the right people to make the most of your Node.js framework is essential for a productive and efficient development process.
Contact Trio to find out more about how you can find the best senior Node.js developers for your project.
Node.js is widely known as a versatile runtime environment, powering both back-end and front-end web development. Its popularity notwithstanding, the community often pits it against Golang or Go, Google’s programming language introduced in 2009.
Comparing a runtime environment with a programming language might seem absurd on the surface. But, a deeper examination of the pros and cons of each throws light on which of the two back-end development tools you should choose for your project.
This article showcases a head-to-head comparison and attempts to settle the Node vs. Go debate, at least for now and in the near future. If you’re deliberating between the two from a hiring perspective, read on to find which option makes the most sense for your project.
What Is Node.js?
Node.js is an open-source runtime environment built on the V8 JavaScript engine that extends JavaScript’s capabilities beyond web browsers. Node.js excels at building server-side logic, while also integrating well with JavaScript on the front end. Back-end developers can easily upskill to full-stack competencies using Node.js.
Node’s rich ecosystem of libraries and reusable components makes it a prime choice for developers.
What Is Node.js Used For?
Node.js provides developers with the tools to create beautiful, modern real-time web applications. Node’s asynchronous architecture is especially ideal for creating applications like online games, online messengers, video chats, and more.
Due to its seamless JavaScript integration, virtually any web application focused on the end-user experience can be built with Node.js. Developers can also create robust server-side environments and networking applications using Node.
Who Is Using Node.js?
Companies like Netflix, PayPal, Walmart, LinkedIn, Trello, Uber, and many more use Node.js for their industry-leading UIs and server-side platforms.
Netflix even managed to achieve a 70% reduction in startup time when they implemented Node.js and unified their server and client environments with JavaScript. Using the same programming language at both the server and client end is one of Node’s most powerful features.
Companies that want to build two-way applications that don’t require waiting for APIs to return data find Node.js perfectly suited to their needs.
The 2022 Stack Overflow Developer Survey clearly shows Node.js as the second most wanted framework by developers. 
What Are the Pros and Cons of Node.js?
It’s important to be aware of both the pros and cons of Node.js before committing resources to a development project. Node.js isn’t free from a few drawbacks, some of which might be deal-breakers for your particular use case.
Pros of Node.js
- Simplicity: Using JavaScript on both the server and client ends makes Node.js code easier, simpler, and shorter. Components can be reused and developer costs can be kept down by hiring full stack developers.
- Scalability: Thanks to native API clusters, child_process, and worker_threads, building scalable web apps is quite easy with Node.js. It can tackle an increased number of requests by taking the burden off of CPU resources.
- Time-to-market: Node’s lightweight nature and inherent reusability considerably reduces build time. The huge number of reusable components available in Node Package Manager (stylized and abbreviated as ‘npm’) makes development even simpler for your team.
- Future-proof: Owing to the widespread popularity of JavaScript, it’s safe to say Node.js isn’t going away anytime soon. As the second most loved runtime environment by developers, Node will continue to retain its relevance due to a large pool of current and future Node developers.
Cons of Node.js
- Not ideal for CPU-heavy computing: Node’s single-threaded and event-driven nature yield a performant codebase, but this is a sub-par alternative for CPU-based computing tasks. Large CPU-dependent tasks can slow down its event loop, hindering performance in such cases.
- API dependency: Node’s APIs are regularly updated with little to no backwards compatibility. Maintaining Node.js code due to the frequent changes requires ongoing commitment and resources.
- Error handling: Node.js uses JavaScript which is a dynamically typed language. This means debugging can be a pain and it will take some expertise to keep the code error-free.
- Asynchronous model: Node’s asynchronous programming is an advantage that makes it ideal for scalability but it also requires a high level of expertise to master it.
- Library dependency: Developers more dependent on the npm libraries and registries could encounter some incomplete packages in the underlying JavaScript. As an open-source standard, JavaScript is constantly modified by the community. This can lead to some inconsistencies and incomplete packages
What Is Go?
Go or Golang is a statically-typed programming language released by Google in 2009. It is an open-source language created to tackle challenges like multi-core computing, networking, and web development that were prevalent during the time. The language rose in popularity in 2016.
Golang developers based the language on C, a low-level language. Given that low-level languages offer little abstraction from pure machine code, Go is easy to compile, providing superior speed and efficiency. 
Unlike JavaScript, Go is a strongly-typed language with excellent concurrent programming, garbage collection handling, and memory usage capabilities.
Golang is still one of the most wanted programming languages according to the 2022 Stack Overflow Developer Survey.
What Is Go Used For?
Go combines fast compilation and garbage collection to bring the benefits of both low-level and high-level languages to applications. Its excellent handling of concurrency makes it ideal for CPU-hungry tasks often seen in back-end applications.
Popular development tools like Kubernetes and Docker have been built with Go. Go can even be used for system programming, large-scale distributed systems, and highly scalable network applications.
Go is also useful for cloud development, big data apps, and machine learning applications.
Who Is Using Go?
Google, Netflix, Dropbox, IBM, Soundcloud, Medium, Twitch, and many others use Go widely in their applications. Google has claimed that it uses Go in YouTube and Chrome.
Uber’s microservice for geofence lookups that supports everything from driver searches to dynamic pricing is written in Go. This microservice is Uber’s highest ‘queried per second’ service and has been running 99.99% of the time since its launch
What Are the Pros and Cons of Go?
Google’s highly efficient programming language has its own set of pros and cons that should be seen in conjunction with those of Node.js.
Pros of Go
- Efficiency: Go’s code is compiled directly to machine language and hence doesn’t require an interpreter. This makes Go extremely fast, efficient, and easy to maintain.
- Scalability: Go’s ability to handle concurrency with ‘Goroutines’ is one of its foundational features. Go can handle up to 1000 concurrent requests per second and can make full use of multi-threaded CPUs.
- Simple syntax: Go’s syntax comprises a mere 25 keywords. This not only keeps the code highly readable and clean but also minimizes the chances of errors by developers.
- Memory handling: Go’s excellent garbage collection handling prevents memory leaks in cases where developers forget to release memory from redundant objects.
Cons of Go
- Time-consuming: Go’s simplistic code makes it harder to implement complex abstractions. Developers need to code more for using simple features, limiting the language’s versatility.
- Limited reusability: As Go doesn’t support generic functions, it doesn’t support reusability JavaScript does.
- Nascent community: Go’s community is less mature as compared to that of some other programming languages. This makes it less attractive for newer developers as they can find it hard to get their questions answered by the community.
- No built-in GUI library: Building GUI applications needs significant effort as you need to connect additional libraries with your project.
- Resource-heavy: Go is prone to consuming significantly more resources for complex applications as it doesn’t have a virtual machine (VM).
Node.js vs. Go: Side-By-Side Comparison
Both Node.js and Go have advantages and drawbacks when it comes to different aspects of web development. In order to choose the one best suited for your present use case, it’s important to compare them side-by-side.
Simplicity
When it comes to simplicity in coding, Go trumps Node.js. Its simple syntax and strict rules keep its code clean and readable. On the other hand, Node’s code deals with all the intricacies inherent in JavaScript.
Learning Curve
In terms of ease of learning, Node.js takes the win here. As JavaScript is already used by a large population of developers, Node.js is relatively easier to get a hang of. Whereas Go has a whole new set of of. processes, rules, pointers, interfaces, strict typing, coroutines, and much more.
Performance
In terms of raw performance, Go has a clear edge over Node.js as its code is compiled directly into machine language. But in terms of real-world performance where database server interaction and network applications are involved, there is very little difference in speed between the two.
Scalability
Go’s ability to process around 1,000 requests per second and its reliable execution of multiple threads through goroutines make it a clear winner in terms of concurrency. This makes Go ideal for scaling large projects. Node.js applications can also be scalable but its asynchronous single-thread architecture lags behind that of Go.
Error Handling
Error handling works differently in Node and Go. Node uses the conventional throw-catch method to catch errors during runtime, debugging each line sequentially. Go requires explicit error checking which can create inconsistencies. Node is thus the better choice in this aspect, at least until Go2 (Go’s planned successor) brings some improvements.
Community
While Go has fast gained the trust of developers (it has 105k stars on GitHub; Node has 91k), it still has a long way to go in terms of community support. The Node.js foundation enjoys the support of the likes of IBM, Microsoft, and PayPal and has a more mature ecosystem of developers and reusable libraries.
Development Tools
JavaScript has been around for decades now and as a result, Node.js developers have access to more than 800k ready-made tools in npm alone. In Go, developers need to do a lot more manual work. Although it has a solid built-in library to make tasks easier, Go lags behind in terms of sheer quantity of development tools.
Node.js vs. Go: Which Is Better?
Deciding which technology to go with depends not only on technical factors but also on strategic considerations. If your organizational tech stack is Node.js or JavaScript heavy, there might not be enough long-term benefits to go with Go, even if it performs faster.
On the other hand, in cases where you need to leverage the most CPU bandwidth you can, Go might be the ideal choice despite having a lengthy and costly development cycle.
In short, it all depends on your business use case and the compromises you’re more comfortable with. Both Node.js and Go are fantastic development tools with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion
If your project requires Node.js developers, Trio can make the hiring process smooth and economical for your organization. Trio developers are extremely skilled, thoroughly vetted, and ready to be onboarded in no time.
Contact Trio today to learn more about outfitting your project with senior Node.js developers from around the globe.
Node.js is used for back-end development with JavaScript. Web developers as of late having been optimizing their tech stack by implementing this far-reaching technology.
Every competent web developer knows that they need a solid grasp of JavaScript in order to build any modern web application or website. After all, JavaScript is the premier programming language for front-end web development; or rather, it is the only language.
But with so many tools available to manipulate and enhance the use of JavaScript, just knowing the programming language you’re going to use for your next software project isn’t enough.
As an illustration, flocks of JavaScript developers have been opting to use Node.js as a back-end technology. In fact, as of a 2020 Developer Survey by StackOverflow, Node.js is in the top ten of most loved languages or technologies among developers.
Node.js is versatile. Among the many uses of the software, you will learn about four applications of Node.js:
- Collaborative Tools
- Streaming Services
- Dashboards
- Microservices
Take a closer look at several Node.js examples explaining precisely when and where to use this JavaScript-based tool.
What Is Node.js?
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment for JavaScript. First released in 2009, it provides web developers a platform to write, test, and debug JavaScript code outside of a browser.
While Node.js does not change the syntax, structure, or really anything about JavaScript itself, it does come equipped with many application programming interfaces (APIs) that extend the capacity for back-end development in JavaScript.
Support for file systems, HTTP requests, and child processes glimpse some of the features offered towards this undertaking. The same cannot be accomplished in a browser so these Node.js examples of back-end agency are thoroughly exciting to many a web developer.
The notion of back-end development with JavaScript, combined with JavaScript's well-established role in front-end web development is defined under the popular slogan, ‘JavaScript everywhere’.
This slogan means to convey the enthusiasm of web developers who appreciate the ease of using a singular programming language – JavaScript – throughout their tech stack. In other words, Node.js projects make full-stack development an attractive reality. And developers love to see it!
What Is Node.js Used For?
Naturally, like anything that has to do with the mere mention of JavaScript, developers use Node.js to build dynamic websites and web apps. Current Node.js examples of major websites thriving thanks to its platform include the likes of Netflix, PayPal, LinkedIn, and more.
These names are not underground by any means. Node.js is a stable and popular technology used in the everyday tech stacks of web developers big and small. Most of these companies saw a drastic improvement in speed when they adopted Node.js.
From a technical side, this is likely because Node.js provides an environment for non-blocking, event-driven servers. Non-blocking or asynchronous i/o refers to how operations execute in Node.js.
In synchronous or blocking programming, an operation must be finished before starting another. For instance, if a web server is asked to open a file and return the content to the client, the process that must occur is quite exhaustive.
A task is sent to the computer’s file system. The file system opens and reads the file. Nothing else can happen during this operation so there is a waiting period. Then the content is returned to the client. Now, another request can finally be handled.
Node.js handles file requests in a much more efficient manner because as it is asynchronous multiple things can happen at once. The task is sent to the computer’s file system. And then Node.js is ready to handle the next request!
Similarly, Node.js is event-driven, a programming paradigm that is designed to respond to user actions such as mouse clicks or key presses. Although theoretically, all programming languages can carry code of this nature, an environment like Node.js makes the paradigm far easier to implement.
This line of coding enables asynchronous programming and to a larger extent leads to faster overall performance. Arguably, this is one of the bigger benefits of using Node.js.
Related reading: Node.js vs. PHP: Which Is Better For Your Business?
4 Examples of Node.js Applications
Looking for a bit more straightforward Node.js examples? The following Node.js application examples should give you a more detailed understanding of what Node.js can do for you.
1. Collaborative Tools
Like mentioned, Node.js specializes in asynchronous programming, allowing for multiple things to happen at once. Such an ability is especially useful for programs that must facilitate real-time processes and operations.
Co-collaborative features like document editing is one Node.js example of this in practice. Video conferences and instant messaging also rely on the same technology. WebSockets is a Node.js API rendering event-driven, two-way interactive communication.
2. Streaming Services
With the birth of smart devices came the boom of streaming services. Simply defined, streaming services are platforms that permit users to watch videos or listen to music from a widely accessible internet hub.
Netflix, of course, is probably the most popular Node.js example of streaming in action. With a small monthly fee, Netflix users can choose from a plethora of films and series to watch any day of the week.
Node.js has a built-in module for streaming capable of transmitting large amounts of data chunks in a sequential fashion. Because of this, developers won’t need to temporarily store or cache data in the application memory.
3. Dashboards
Dashboards are a great way to effectively and easily strengthen the user experience (UX) of your web app. Your app may offer the same essential services to every customer but dashboards cater to the customer’s individual experience and history within your app.
Web apps can use Node.js on their server-side to provide immediate updates to a dashboard user interface (UI). Server-side rendering (SSR) generally signifies faster load times as it eliminates the need for browser-to-server round-trips.
In effect, customers will have a satisfactory impression of your app’s UX and UI.
4. Microservices
Microservices is an architectural style where an app is managed not as one unit but as a collection of services. Businesses opt for this style because they can be easier to manage in maintenance in testing. They can also be deployed independently.
NASA is actually one of the many major enterprises using Node.js. It also happens to be a fruitful Node.js example for the moment. Using microservices, NASA was able to migrate all its data to the cloud.
There’s a pretty in-depth case study that explains all about how Node.js keeps astronauts safe and data accessible.
Conclusion
Now that you know what your business can do with Node.js, trust that utilizing this software will bring you the function and speed to uplift the spirits of any developer.
However, you’ll need developers in the first place if you plan to do any spirit uplifting – or developing for that matter.
At Trio, you’ll find highly qualified developers that can whip up any of the four Node.js examples mentioned not so long ago and add a few sprinkles on top as well.
If you want to do something more, don’t worry. Trio still has you covered. Our developers can adapt to your business and roll with new challenges as they come along.
Contact Trio now to learn more about hiring Node.js developers.