Have you ever been in a dilemma to choose only one thing among the two best things? Yeah? The same is the situation here. NodeJS and Java are among the top two technology stacks, and you can choose only one. Are you perplexed, right?
With an intent to end your confusion, we are presenting this blog on NodeJS vs Java in detail. Read this blog and make an informed decision for the development of the backend of your app.
What is NodeJS Exactly
Node.Js is a runtime environment for building server-side applications in JavaScript. It allows developers to develop a backend and connect them together in a distributed manner. It comes with a wide range of built-in modules which help in building scalable web applications and enabling fast and easy development.
It is used by many of the world’s largest companies to develop products that run across platforms from desktop computers to mobile phones. Developers, who are looking to build scalable, high-performance applications, often turn to Node. It can be used where there is a need for fast execution, and that is the reason why it is employed in building video streaming platforms and games.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of NodeJS
Since we are comparing Node and Java in-depth, you should also understand the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies, which are as follows.”
Advantages Of NodeJS
Code reuse: Developers don’t have to write code again and again for identical components. NodeJS allows the reuse of code for the backend as well as the front-end.
Powerful stack: One can build applications with NodeJS efficiently, and the productivity of the developer enhances.
Scalability: Being lightweight technology, application architecture is such apps are developed in the form of a suite of small services, which is the reason behind its extensive scalability.
Rich ecosystem: Hundreds of NodeJS libraries are available on the internet, and many more are in the pipeline. And also, dozens of free tools are available, which is what makes NodeJS a popular backend technology.
Fast processing: Being an event-based model, it can cater to concurrent requests and processes the request or information faster.
Disadvantages Of NodeJS
Difficult to maintain code: NodeJS is asynchronous technology due to nested callbacks. Thus, it is difficult to understand and maintain the code.
Inferior Quality: There are some NodeJS tools that do not conform to coding standards, and their structure is improper due to open-source.
Performance constraints: When there is a heavy task to process by CPU, the request goes to the event loop and stops the other in-line requests, which leads to delay in projecting results.
Cannot handle heavy tasks: NodeJS is incapable of handling heavy processes, and it does not support multi-threaded programming.
Some of the well-known apps developed using NodeJS.
Following is the list of well-known apps developed employing NodeJS:
- Uber
- Netflix
- PayPal
What is Java Exactly?
Java is a coding language that enables the use of object-oriented concepts after C++. It follows the principle of WORA “Write Once and Run Anywhere”; in other words, the code can be used on all the Java supported platforms without needing recompilation.
Java was developed by Sun Microsystems in 1991 to provide a stable, flexible and secure coding language. Since then, it has been used in developing eCommerce, banking, transportation and FinTech solutions.
It is widely used in the industry, both for server-side applications and client-side web applications. Its popularity has increased significantly over the past few years, and its use has also spread to mobile devices; the Java virtual machine runs the Java Virtual Machine. A key difference between Java and other languages such as C++ or C# is its application of security.
Following are the main four platforms to build Java application:
- Standard Edition – Java SE
- Enterprise Edition – Java EE
- Micro Edition – Java ME
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Java
Java is often used for enterprise applications due to its stability and reliability. Its widespread usage has resulted in Java being an integral part of many popular platforms. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of Java:
Advantages of Java
Tight security – Java apps can be deployed over dedicated servers. It makes server administration easy, and as a result, more stringent security is provided.
Cost-effective solution – It is easy to configure and troubleshoot Java
applications. As a result, the development lifecycle becomes cost-effective.
Good readability – Java codes are easy to read, write, and debug. So, the code quality is always top-notch.
Disadvantages of Java
Sluggish performance – Java apps consume more memory, and that is the reason why it is slower than other frameworks.
No backup facilities – Java stress storing data, so it does not provide backup facilities.
Comparison of NodeJS and Java
NodeJS and Java both are popular backend technologies and are also top competitors of each other. Let’s look at the detailed comparison and know which gets knocked off.
Supported Architecture – NodeJS vs Java
Node.js employs a single-thread event loop architecture for processing several simultaneous requests at a high performance.
Apart from that, the asynchronous architecture of NodeJS allows the developer to utilise MVP/MVC architecture pattern that resolves onboarding and isolation glitches in the code,
Talking about Java, developers choose MVC architecture for the development of applications. The design pattern of objects is like the internal architecture of server-side technology.
Performance – NodeJS vs Java
Due to Multitasking and being powered by a V8 Javascript engine, the performance is top-notch. Being asynchronous and non-blocking, it is best for micro-operations that do not interfere or block the main application thread.
This backend technology is event-driven and allows Multitasking, thereby boosting the application’s performance. PayPal and LinkedIn have migrated to Node and experienced significant performance improvement.
On the other hand, Java comes with a just-in-time (JIT) compiler which boosts the performance of applications. The Java programs are written as byte codes. These codes are faster than conventional programming languages.
Testing – NodeJS vs Java
NodeJS is equipped with advanced testing capabilities. With the help of third-party tools, one can test an app extensively. Tools such as AVA, Mocha, Jasmine, and Lab and Code create a rich ecosystem for testing Nodejs applications.
In Java, one can write tests. And also, multiple testing frameworks and tools are available such as Selenium, FitNess, Apache JMeter, and JUnit.
Wrap Up
So these are the differences between NodeJS and Java. We know very well how important it is to choose the right backend stack for your app development. We hope after reading this article, you’ll be in a position to make a decision regarding which technology to choose for your backend. If you find our article helpful and informative, then do visit our website for more.
Enprowess an innovative offshore software & mobile app development company. We are a team of professional web/app developers who left no stone unturned to deliver the best. We believe in punctuality and practise the same; our developers are well known for timely delivery. For more information, please visit our website.
Author Bio:
Chirayu Joshi is the CEO of EnProwess – an emerging software development company that offers mobile development, web app development, dedicated developers, and software testing service at a competitive price. His bold leadership and foresight have taken the company to great heights. He loves to read and share his insights on the tech industry.