In this article, I will be demonstrating about 7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Node.js | Drawbacks & Benefits of Node.js. Through this post, you will know the pros and cons of using Node.js.
Let's get started,
Advantages of Node.js
1. Cost Savings
Server side JavaScript code are written in Node.js. Both frontend and backend are developed with a single language. Since there is no need to learn multiple languages, you are not required to hire separate developers. Besides cost savings this can overall improve the corporation between developers.
2. Performance
Compared to other server side scripting languages Node.js offers greater performance. Especially, when it comes to responding web page requests. Node.js is built using the Google's V8 JavaScript engine that is coded with C++.
This code directly implements the JavaScript code by compiling it with the machine code. The result of this is the extreme fast applications that load within seconds. Additionally, the speed is further enhanced through the use of non-blocking input-output inputs operations.
3. Learning Curve
JavaScript is a popularly used programming languages. This makes it familiar among developers. Due to the fact that Node.js is derived from JavaScript, users can easily understand its concepts ; you are required to master programming languages. Relatively, it takes less time to learn and start using it. Therefore, Node.js is mostly considered for web application development.
4. Speed
The open source nature of Node.js makes it easy to cache module. This reduces code re-execution and workload in task. Whenever there is a new access to the web application, the first module is cached in the app memory. The data and files are already stored on the user's computer. So the server does not have to send requests every time. The result of this is the quick browsing of online websites.
5. Scalability
Node.js comes with the flexibility to scale up the application according to the needs. This includes both horizontal and vertical directions. For an example, whenever there is a requirement extra nodes can be added to the system. The number is limitless.
Similarly during the vertical scaling, a single node can be added with high number of resources. Finally, this type of setup allows you to scale quickly while achieving high performance.
6. Cross Platform Support
Using Node.js you can build apps that merely support both mobile and desktop. The code that you use here is compatible with both the versions. So you are required to write separate codes for each platform. This further facilitates the development process by reducing time and effort. Overall, web development is not only the process benefited from Node.js.
7. Community Support
Large community of developers are actively in enhancing this platform. The community is composed of JavaScript developers who are ready to help you and provide solutions. Popular tech giants like Facebook, Google and Amazon are included in this community. So you ensure that you will be able to solve even most complicated problems. It is one of the reasons for the rise in Node.js developers.
Disadvantages of Node.js
1. Technical Expertise
Al though there are plenty of JavaScript developers out there, not all of them are skilled with Node.js programming. Unless they are with required experience they will certainly struggle with backend development. And also, there are very less number of Node.js developers which makes it a demanding profession. This is one of the reasons why companies choose third party Node.js developers to outsource their projects.
2. Computing Limitations
Node.js lacks the capability to process CPU intensive tasks. It works single threaded. So whenever there is a request Node.js can only process it once in a given order. All other requests will be gathered in a queue. This heavily affects the application performance. Therefore, Node.js should not be used for heavy computation tasks.
3. API Stability
Node.js is subjected to frequent API changes. Especially, while migrating versions. Some of the applications does not work unless there is stable API. Further this creates a problem since the changes are not backward compatible. Hence, the developers must pay attention to API when writing codes. Otherwise, it will not be compatible.
4. Code Maintenance
Another drawback of Node.js is it follows an asynchronous approach. So we cannot deny that there are numerous callbacks that needs to be carried out for each of the tasks those are in the queue. If the callbacks are way too much it makes it almost impossible to maintain the code.
5. Library Support
Compared to other programming platforms, strong library system is lacking in Node.js. It uses a common library to process tasks like database operations, image processing and Object Relational Mapping (ORM). Often this type of libraries are poor quality and with improper documentation. Besides monitoring library, even executing some simple tasks becomes difficult.
6. Tool Quality
The default package registry in the Node.js platform is npm registry. There are variety of tools offered by the npm registry. Some of them are bower and grunt. Even with these vast number of tools most of them are of low quality. Generally, they are with low rating which makes them offer tools with reduced quality. Moreover, the open source nature further reduces the quality of tool.
7. Relational Database Compatibility
Most often Node.js faces compatibility issues with the relational database systems. This creates a problem while using the relational database management systems like MYSQL, MSSQL and Oracle. One option here is to consider using NoSQL database. However, it takes extra time and effort to learn about this database.
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