Okay, so I am back with yet another comparison guide of Nodejs. Today it’s the battle between Nodejs vs Java.
Here’s a list of other Nodejs comparison guides I wrote. Feel free to read them:
Basically, as you and I both know, a web application has two parts to it: a frontend and a backend. The frontend is what the users see and it is just the part of the equation. Of course, there’s a lot of it that’s originated from the server-side or the backend.
However, the backend is where the heart or the brain of the application resides. Your application basically survives on the backend. Without it, your application is just a plain set of CSS and HTML and maybe even some JavaScript.
Not that I am trying to belittle the front end! Of course, nobody wants to look at a white page with Consolas or Times New Roman text everywhere even if the backend was built like a pro! Yikes!
When it comes to web application backend technologies, developers today have a vast variety of programming languages to choose from. There are a bazillion powerful and essential frameworks and languages out there and each one possesses its own unique features to help achieve a variety of objectives.
This is exactly what spices up the battle of Nodejs vs Java.
Today’s blog on Nodejs vs Java is a comparison between relatively new technology and a quite older one.
Of course, as a matter of fact, there are no such better or worse applications. However, it apparently depends on what your web application demands.
Let’s get to know better both these technologies with a synopsis.
Nodejs vs Java: Synopsis
Nodejs is popularly known as a server-side framework, founded by Ryan Dahl in 2009. It is a JavaScript-based runtime environment and a massive open-source tool. It has successfully gained popularity as a high-performing, scalable framework to the single-threaded process. Which is commonly used for web loads and async programming.
Java, on the other hand, is a programming language, founded by James Gosling in 1995 and is quite older than the former. It promotes the usage of object-oriented concepts after C++. The Java programming language is secure, stable, and flexible.
Moreover, it has gained its name and fame and proved to be a perfect fit for the services industry namely, banking, eCommerce, FinTech, and transportation. In its initial days, Java was also hailed as a fine language for building Android applications.
Nodejs vs Java: The Ultimate Comparison
To compare two technologies from different timelines, we need a few common criteria to judge their capabilities of winning the battle. In this blog, I am taking 4 criteria today for comparison for the Nodejs vs Java
Performance
Nodejs
Nodejs is immensely popular because it inherits the asynchronous and non-blocking ability from JavaScript. It is able to a perfect environment for small tasks also known as micro-tasks, that don’t affect the main application thread.
Nodejs is built on an event-driven architecture that allows efficient multitasking, enhancing the application’s performance. Nodejs uses a V8 JavaScript engine of Chrome, which works quite rapidly in a short ramp-up timeframe.
Java
Java writes its programs in byte codes. This means the language is able to perform far better and faster than the traditional programming languages. The main advantage of byte-code instructions is that is effortlessly interpreted by virtual machines, delivering faster and more efficient applications. However, since this Nodejs vs Java comparison is considering a backend for web applications, then Nodejs is the clear winner.
Winner: Nodejs
Community
Nodejs
Nodejs, without a doubt, has a well-supported and robust community. According to Stack Overflow research, 51.4% of professional developers use Nodejs majorly for its frameworks, libraries, and tools.
Tech veterans like Amazon, Facebook, and Google have also made significant contributions to the Nodejs community, making it more credible.
Java
Java too has strong and stable community support for any complicated queries or issues. A vast community usually refers to frequent updates, bug fixing, and upgrades, and innovations. Java resides in the top 3 programming languages when it comes to listing the active software developers’ community, thus, making it the clear winner!
Winner: Java
Database Support
Nodejs
Nodejs supports all kinds of databases be it relational or NoSQL databases. However, when using Nodejs, it’s best to use a NoSQL database, especially MongoDB as it stores data in JSON objects. This offers more accessibility for JavaScript-based backends similar to Nodejs.
Mongoose, an object data-modeling library is exclusively built for Nodejs and MongoDB. You can use it to manage data relationships with utmost ease. Moreover, it enhances development productivity by increasing the readability of your code, maintaining flexibility, and also provides modeling for applications’ data among others.
Java
Java also supports multiple databases and uses standard database connectivity known as Java Database Connectivity or JDBC used to access data in applications. Relational databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite are some of the commonly used ones in addition to databases like Redis, Oracle, IBM-DB2, Sybase, and even the pure Java “Java DB”, which comes with the JDK also known as Apache Derby.
When working on simple projects, Java programmers usually use the built-in Java DB. Additionally, if you ever have a requirement to use a relational database, there’s a great selection of JDBC-supported databases available.
Winner: Java
Hiring Developers
Nodejs
It is easier to find Nodejs Developers because of its large community.
Average ranges for hiring Nodejs developers as dedicated or freelancing resources varies between:
$70 to $90 per hour in North America
$50 to $70 in Eastern Europe
$20 to $40 per hour in Asia
Java
Since Java is easier to learn even for greenhorn developers and teammates, it becomes crucial to figure out your application’s key functionalities long-term goals.
On average, hiring a Java developer would cost you $61-80 per hour. You can get affordable yet good-quality services by reaching out to professional teams of Java developers.
Winner: Nodejs
Conclusion
Today it’s the battle between Nodejs vs Java. There are a bazillion powerful and essential frameworks and languages out there and each one possesses its own unique features to help achieve a variety of objectives. Today’s blog on Nodejs vs Java is a comparison between relatively new technology and a quite older one.
