Node.js vs. Python: Choosing the Most Reliable Backend Development Technology

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  • By Ranjit Singh
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  • clock 8 minutes MIN READ
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  • calendar Updated: October 21, 2022

The world is highly digitized, and with all the evolving trends, back-end technologies have taken an irreplaceable place.

Most development projects can be carried out with the help of various different languages and frameworks.

However, better technology should be chosen as per the required level of customization in which the developer feels the most comfortable.

But with so many frameworks available for back-end technology, choosing the perfect one is not a mere cakewalk.

You must compare the features offered by different programming languages and map them with your list of needs. The most commonly used back-end development technologies that have gained immense popularity in recent years include Python and Node.js.

According to Statista Phyton is the most popular programming language across the globe in March 2020. On the other hand, Node.js is leveraged by over 2.1% of websites over the internet.

most-popular-programing-language

All these are evident indicators of the ever-growing need for Python and Node.js to build responsive applications.

Python is more suited for back-end applications, mathematical computations, and machine learning, while Node.js is better for online apps and website development.

Python utilizes CPython as its interpreter, whereas Node.js uses JavaScript interpreters.

Node.js and Python — An Overview

Similarly, there is a wide range of helpful features, benefits, and disadvantages that make these two frameworks extensively different from each other.

Also Read | AngularJS vs. NodeJS: Which is Better

But before we dig deep, let’s grab an information overview of Node.js VS Python performance in depth.

Node.js

Node.js is a dedicated server-side JavaScript runtime environment that is open-sourced rather than a programming language. Initially made by Ryan Dahl in 2009, the most recent version of this framework – Node.js 12.6.0 was published in July 2019.

The fact that Node.js is built on Google’s V8 engine is considered to be its most notable feature.

Being a virtual machine with a highly integrated compiler, interpreter, and optimizer – this engine was created by Google for use in Google Chrome. V8’s quick acceleration and enhanced performance is the one that attracts most developers to Node.js.

Python

Invented by Guido van Rossum in the year 1991, Python is an interpreted and object-oriented programming language.

With this high-level framework, the developers can leverage the dynamic semantics, simplified syntax, and support of well-structured programming.

Python 3.8, the most recent version, was made public in October 2019. However, the previous version – Python 3.7, is still more commonly used.

Google’s app engine makes it an easy task to run codes on Python. In addition to creating robust web applications, the app engine also enables you to provide access to various modules/tools that stay on top priority, especially for Python programmers.

What is Node.js?

nodejs-logo

Node.js is such a powerful back-end framework that helps developers write multiple command-line tools and curate a wide range of network applications using JavaScript hassle-free.

With this, making a real-time web application seems to be a mere cakewalk that can run across different systems, including Linux, Microsoft Windows, etc.

Some of the best-suited areas where Node.js comes to your rescue include various data streaming applications, single page applications, JSON API-based applications, etc.

Following are some of the top areas where Node.js is the perfect option for you to hop on:

1. Event-driven

2. Imperative

3. Object-oriented

4. Programming using functions

How Does Node.js Help?

Ryan Dahl created Node, which was made available in 2009 and immediately became popular because it enabled JavaScript developers to easily write JavaScript codes for the first time outside of a web browser.

It has extensively developed over time and has now become a serious competitor to many more popular languages, including Python. Apart from all the features listed above, Node.js has more to offer; let’s discover.

1. High-performance for Real-time Applications

With Node.js, web apps leverage the benefit of multitasking. Such a powerful platform is single-threaded, and event-driven architecture helps in processing multiple concurrent requests efficiently.

2. Easy Scalability for Modern Applications

Node.js facilitates efficient load balancing over various CPU cores, making it easy to produce effective results without exhausting its RAM processes. Additionally, its non-blocking event-loop system offers high scalability and speeds up the server to process multiple requests.

3. Cost-effective with Fullstack JS

Since Node.js is a full-stack platform that can work out codes with the help of JavaScript – both front-end and back-end development works are easily carried out. This way, the cost of hiring two separate resources for development needs is extensively reduced.

4. Enhances App Response Time

Processing multiple requests at the same time is not a mere cup of tea, and here is what Node.js helps you out. Its high-level event loop model provides an asynchronous architecture that helps to boost an app’s responsiveness and improve its performance efficiently.

What is Python?

python-logo

Python is a popular computer programming language used to create multiple applications and websites, automate processes and analyze data.

Being an interpreted programming language, Python serves you with rich library support and a compact syntax to get your hands on back-end technology seamlessly.

Python is easily compatible and offers increased flexibility with a wide range of programming platforms.

In addition to faster readability, this multipurpose computer language offers extensively fast code interpretation to speed up the development cycle.

How Does Python Help?

Many of the largest companies in the world utilize Python in some capacity if you’re wondering who uses it, including NASA, Google, Netflix, Spotify, etc. Whether you are developing scientific applications, curating big data solutions, or digging deep into machine learning – Python comes to your rescue. Some of the top-notch benefits of Python are as follow;

1. Perfect for building prototypes

With its simplicity and fewer lines of code, one can build multiple prototypes hassle-free.

2. Increased Flexibility

With Python, one can quickly implement integrations using other programming languages like Jython (integrated with Java) and CPython (combined with C).

3. Multiple Resources

Python’s wide range of resources, including extensive libraries and built-in unit test framework, help you stay ahead of technical developments.

4. Various Web App Frameworks

These are also of its powerful resources and help curate robust web apps easily. These majorly include Django, Flask, Tornado, CherryPy, Tornado, and many more.

Also, Read | Top 10 Frameworks for Web App Development

5. Free and Open-Source

Being OSI-approved, Python is a free language to use and distribute. It is a mere cakewalk to download the source code, modify and distribute it across. Through this, various organizations that wish to change a specific behavior and implement their own version of development can easily do so.

The Key Difference — Node.js VS Python

Python is an object-oriented, high-level programming language, while Node.js is an open-source JS framework used to create highly functional client and server-side network apps. Being thorough with their advantages, it’s now time to explore the Node.js VS Python performance, which helps in choosing the best one as per your development needs.

Python is a high-level, dynamic, and versatile programming language, whereas Node.js tends to be a server-side platform built on the Google Chrome Javascript Engine.

  • Python is more suited for back-end applications, mathematical computations, and machine learning, while Node.js is the perfect one for online apps and website development.
  • Python is great for creating huge projects, while Node.js helps you get your hands on smaller projects efficiently.
  • When comparing Node.js VS Python, Node.js is the better choice for memory-intensive tasks, whereas Python is not recommended.
  • Node.js uses a JavaScript interpreter, while Python uses a PyPy interpreter.
  • Python offers high readability in code, whereas Node.js stays back in this area due to callback hell.
  • When it comes down to error handling and debugging, Python is the one that wins against Node.js.

The main difference between Node.js vs. Python:

Node.js

  • Node.js is quite good for asynchronous programming.
  • Node.js is the right platform to deal with real-time web applications.
  • Suitable for memory-intensive activities.
  • Node.js supports callback, and its processing is pretty speedy.
  • Its programming is based majorly on event/callback.

Python

  • It is not a suitable option for asynchronous programming.
  • Not a good alternative for curating real-time web applications.
  • Not good for memory-intensive activities.
  • Python supports generators and is quite easy to learn.

Which Technology is Better for Your Project?

Python is usually preferred for server-side development, though there are libraries that can support front-end development efficiently. It can also be used for developing multiple standalone apps for desktop and mobile. On the other hand, Node. Js is an ideal platform mostly for building real-time web applications, gaming, and ecommerce platforms.

Choosing the better technology between Node.js VS Python is quite an endless topic. Both programming languages stay valuable in their own place.

You must go with Node.js if your focus is on developing IoT-based apps, online chat apps, video streaming sites, single-page apps, and other I/O-intensive web applications and web apps. However, if you wish to do multiple things like numerical computation, network programming, and machine learning, then Python is an ideal choice to hop on.

Wrapping Up

If you are looking for a trusted web development company to leverage effective Node.js VS Python performance, we at RV Technologies are here to help. Our seasoned team of technical specialists presents you with customized solutions specific to your business needs.

This keeps the one-size-fits-all approach at bay and leverages effective cutting-edge technologies to grow your operations seamlessly. Connect with our digital experts and get started on the road to establishing a solid online presence today!

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