In-depth Comparison Between The Most Popular Technologies – Python vs Node.js

Quick Summary: This in-depth comparison between Python and Node.js will help you know the pros and cons of both in terms of syntax, scalability, expandability, community and more. It gives you the idea of the appropriate choice when it comes to the specific requirement of the project as well as the team.

One of the most daunting tasks when selecting a suitable programming language is choosing the right front-end and back-end technology for developing the project. Why is it important to choose the right programming language? Each project has its unique requirement that may not be achieved by any one of the popular programming languages. These unique requirements help to set various criteria to choose the most suitable programming languages.

When it comes to comparison, the languages Python v/s Node.JS is one of the most popular and searched comparisons.

Let us get some of the basic facts clear first.

Python is a high-level, object-oriented programming language. It is a dynamic and multipurpose programming language ideal for scripting. It is one of the most viable back-end development languages.

Node.JS is a runtime environment or a server-side platform. It is not a programming language. JavaScript is used to write applications in Node.JS. Developers choose node.JS for data-intensive and real-time server applications. Node.JS is ideal for both front-end as well as back-end development. There are many Node.js Web Development Companies that can help you in scaling your business.

There are various predefined criteria defined among the developers that help them to choose the appropriate languages. Let us quickly dive in and check which is more appropriate in which scenarios and which outruns the other in specific criteria.

Error Handling Capabilities

Develop a code without errors? Not possible! The speed and the capabilities of error handling make the programming languages appropriate for the development. It eases the burden of the developers.

The ease in readability and less complexity of the code in Python makes it easier for the developers to find and debug errors fewer times. There has always been a buzz among the developers about the ease of error handling in Python.

Node.JS, on the other hand, is not behind in the race. The environment is great at identifying exceptions and errors.

Python and Node.js in terms of extensibility

Python has evolved over the period since it was first introduced. It is said to be an extensible language as python code supports the snippet of code written in other languages like C/C++. The compiler converts the program into byte codes and all platforms support byte codes.

Being a runtime environment, Node.JS has a wide scope of extensibility as it can be integrated with a lot of tools with the help of inbuilt APIs to expand its capabilities. This integration not just improvises the performance but also increases the scope of extensibility.

Syntax

Does syntax be the criteria to decide the sustainability of the languages? Let’s find out.

Python makes the work of the developers easier because of the few lines of code. It reduces the complexity of the code and makes it easier to debug. With some basic knowledge, the code of python becomes easy to understand even for beginner developers. It is also known as junior or beginner developer-friendly language.

In the case of Node.JS, the knowledge of JavaScript makes it easier for the developers as the syntax is much similar to that of the browser’s JavaScript.

Node.js leads the way with scalability

The scalability of any application makes it possible for it to be cost-effective and improve the user experience. It enables the application to handle the load more efficiently and make it streamlined.

Python’s inability to support multithreading due to Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) runs one thread at a time rather than multiple threads simultaneously. It affects the scalability of the application. Tho python has a few scalability issues which can be resolved by using vertical and horizontal scaling or by using the Python implementation such as CPython.

Need to develop scalable applications? Do not worry, Node.js has got your back. Node.js on the other hand has an asynchronous architecture that enables it to handle numerous requests and a large amount of data at a time. It enables microservice architecture rather than monolithic, making it more scalable. Node.js is scalable vertically as well as horizontally, so it is provided with the surety of scalability, unlike python.

The learning curve of python and Node.js

Python seems to be a light weighted and developer-friendly language. It is easy for even beginners without prior knowledge of languages like JavaScript or c++ to get a hold of python within the time of a few months.

Node.js does not have a steep learning curve due to the simplicity of JavaScript language. Full-stack developers as well as newbies can get hands-on with it in a few weeks. The major plus point for both is the availability of varied online resources to guide and help you to get a grasp.

Python and Node.js and their community

Community is the key to the success of any language or environment. The community elevates the process of evolution and also helps the developers worldwide.

Python is an old and very popular open-source language. Developers across the world have preferred python, creating a large community from around the world. It becomes easy to get the problem resolved from developers who are available to help and benefit the community of python.

In eleven years, Node.js also has built up a community of its own. It has been the choice of the developers worldwide being an open-source back-end environment. Both python and Node.js come with a great and large community.

Performance and speed face-off

Python is a bit slower when it comes to code interpretation. The single-flow makes the tasks of processing requests tedious. The use of other tools can ease the load handling but still is unable to deliver the high speed required.

Node.JS, on the other hand, is highly efficient when it comes to performance. Along with v8 engine use for the interpretation of the JavaScript, the loading time is accelerated with single module caching. Node.JS allows many requests simultaneously as a result of its non-blocking event-driven architecture. It makes the performance of Node.JS more efficient. The environment has the feature to apply the code outside the browser adding another plus point.

Conclusion

Languages can be considered better based on the requirement of the project and its need. Not all languages are suitable for all projects. So is the case with Python and Node.js. Python is mostly used for the development of projects like machine learning systems, voice and face recognition systems, image-processing software, and neural networks.

It works well with both small and large projects. Node.js works great with projects involving the processing of numerous requests simultaneously with line chatbots, messengers, heavy load applications, or complex single-page apps. Still, it is up to the project requirements and team expertise to choose the most appropriate among these two. Also, boost your career by taking simplilearn’s Web Development Course

Also read

How to Solve Files Not Showing in External Hard Drive

6 Apps Every Homeowner Should Have on Their Phone