[vc_row height=”small” gap=”4″][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Node.js – The Pros and Cons” alignment=”left” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”1″ main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” margin_design_tab_text=””]JavaScript is indeed an important as well as one among the widely used development tools for creating cross-development platforms. Apart from that it is being used in various other widely used platforms such as Apache, Titanium, React Native, PhoneGap, Appcelerator and NativeScript.
The popularity of JavaScript as one among the most widely used client-side programming languages is unchallenged. Another interesting aspect of JavaScript is that its field of application is further expanded and as a result it is being used in server-side programming also. Node.js is mainly responsible for this change in the web development scenario.[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row height=”small” gap=”5″][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”About Node.JS” alignment=”left” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”1″ main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” margin_design_tab_text=””]As a JavaScript run-time environment, Node.js plays and important role in developing JavaScript code server-side. Node.js will interpret the JavaScript code with the help of the V8 JavaScript engine from Google.
As an open source cross-platform JavaScript, Node.js facilitates real-time network application development. Node.js provides event-driven I/O APIs and asynchronous. For non-blocking executions, Node.js functions on an event-based loop which has single thread. At the same time, one cannot consider Node.js as a framework and it has application in JAVA, PHP and ASP.NET.
Now let us examine the advantages and disadvantages of Node.js when it is used for server-side programming.[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row height=”small” gap=”5″][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”NODE.JS Advantages” alignment=”left” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”1″ main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]Easy to scale horizontally as well as vertically
Easy scalability of the applications in both horizontal and vertical directions is a major advantage of Node.js. When more nodes are added to the already existing system Node.js application can be scaled in the horizontal direction. In the case of vertical scaling of the application, Node.js enables the user to provide additional resources to single nodes. These aspects illustrate the high scalability of Node.js and when compared to other JavaScript servers Node.js is proved as a better option.
Developers need not use any other server-side programming language
Those who use Node.js can use it as a single programming language and they can comfortably write the server-side applications in JavaScript. As a result, in a runtime environment, the Node.js developers can very well use JavaScript to write front-end as well as back-end web application. They need not go for any other server-side programming language. Since most of the web browsers support JavaScript, the task of deploying the web applications is also made simple and easier.
Being a Full-stack JavaScript, Node.js helps you to save time and money
For both the applications – client-side and server-side – Node.js is being used as a full-stack JavaScript. This gives the advantage of saving time and money since separate developers are not required for developing front-end and back-end.
Better Performance
The JavaScript code is interpreted by Node.js through the V8 JavaScript Engine of Google. The V8 JavaScript Engine from Google will directly comply JavaScript code with the machine code. Hence in addition to making the task easier, the implementation of the code will be faster as well as more effective. The runtime environment also contributes towards making the code execution faster since it is supporting the non-blocking I/O operations.
Support assured for various commonly used tools
Node.js enables the developers to have the extended support for a number of tools which are used commonly. Those who want to test the source code of Node.js application can make use of the unit-testing tools like Jasmin. The npm, which is a very powerful package manager, can be used for identification as well as installation of project dependencies. For task running of a project, one can make use of grunt.
Simultaneous processing of multiple requests
The non-blocking I/O systems option provided by Node.js enables the users to carry out simultaneous processing of multiple requests. Node.js ensures fast as well as systematic execution of all incoming requests. When compared to other systems such as Ruby and Python, Node.js more efficient in simultaneous handling of multiple requests.
Caching single modules
Node.js has the advantage of caching single modules because of its open-source runtime environment. When there is a request for the first module, the same is cached in the application memory and caching enables the applications to load the web pages faster so as to respond to the user more quickly. As a result, the developers need not re-execute the codes.
Developers can develop apps and software
Another great advantage of Node.js is that it assures the developers freedom to develop apps and software. This advantage is not there with Ruby or Rails since they impose the guidelines. In the case of Node.js for developing apps, one can start from the scratch.
Support of an active community
For Node.js, there is a large community of active developers. These developers contribute a lot for the development as well as improvement of Node.js. Many more developments and improvements can be expected from this community of developers in future. This community of developer is supported by the JavaScript programmers who offer easy, ready-made solutions and codes in GitHub.
Can be customized and further extended
Node.js can be easily customized and extended further as required by the developers. When the facility to exchange data between the web server and the client is needed, one can use JSON. Node.js also offers the facility of built-in APIs which can be used for developing different types of servers like HTTP, TCP, DNS and the like.[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row height=”small” gap=”5″][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Now what are the disadvantages of Node.js?” alignment=”left” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”1″ main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]API is not stable
The Application Programming Interface of Node.js does not remain stable and changes frequently. Sometimes, new API appears with a lot of changes which are not backwards-compatible. In such a situation, the developers are compelled to bring changes in the accessible code bases in order to match with the latest Node.js API version.
Lack of strong library support system
When compared to other programming languages, JavaScript has a less-equipped and weaker library system. In the absence of a strong library system the users are compelled to make use of the common library when they want to manage database operations, XML parsing and Object Relational Mapping (ORM) etc. Also, the developers find it difficult to implement common programming tasks using Node.js.
Asynchronous Programming model is more difficult
For those who want to make the Node.js applications more scalable, it is very essential to adopt the asynchronous programming model. According to most of the developers, when compared to the linear blocking I/O programming, the asynchronous programming model is more difficult. Another disadvantage is that with asynchronous programming, the codes get clumsy and the programmers are forced to depend on nested calls.[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row height=”small” gap=”5″][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Conclusion” alignment=”left” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”1″ main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”]
Now, the bottom line is that Node.js is more advantageous to the developers. We have analyzed all the pros and cons and now it is clear that it is more advantageous. Node.js could really extend the JavaScript applications further and it can be comfortably used for both front-end and back-end servers. The number of business organizations that have adopted Node.js is increasing day by day and all those who use Node.js are able to get positive results.
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