Node.JS VS React.JS: Which to Choose for Your Project

Harikrishna Kundariya, eSparkBiz Technologies
https://www.esparkinfo.com/, https://twitter.com/eSparkBiz

In this digital-paced world, everything needs to be perfect and up-to-the-mark, especially when it comes to software projects. Most IT companies have initiated adoption of new technologies, from artificial intelligence to cloud computing. These technologies not only give them an advantage over legacy systems but also allow them to incorporate new and innovative features. Recently, user demands have changed a lot. They want features like responsiveness, cross-platform applications and websites, advanced UI, and so on in the software products.

You need to use particular programming platforms and libraries like React JS and Node JS to achieve these features. Although both are based on JavaScript, they have considerable differences that need to be known before deciding which to choose for your projects. As the decision-making process is not so easy, this article will walk you through the important aspects of both NodeJS and ReactJS for your clarification. 

What is NodeJS? 

NodeJS is an open-source platform, allowing developers to build a single codebase for applications and websites to be accessed across various devices and operating systems. It uses the JavaScript V8 engine and enables the software model to be run outside the web browser.

It also allows executing code on the server-side environment, giving developers maximum leverage to introduce new and innovative features. Since it is based on an asynchronous, event-driven model, it can easily handle multiple datasets.

When to use NodeJS?

Although the primary function of NodeJS is to work on push-based software architectures, it can be used to develop traditional websites, server-side software, and backend APIs. In this case, the servers are controlled by a stack of events without blocking, ensuring faster and more efficient performance. 

Real-life applications of NodeJS

Some of the real-time applications of NodeJS are: 

1. Netflix 

2. Walmart

3. Uber

4. Nasa

5. Paypal

Features of NodeJS

1. Asynchronous 

One of the significant features of NodeJS is its asynchronous functioning. It depends on the APIs sent from the backend server. As it receives the APIs, it moves on to the next while the previous API details are tracked with multiple events. It allows software developers to build applications and websites with high-end performance and non-blocking functionality.

2. Scalable

To meet modern-day requirements, IT companies must build scalable applications and websites. NodeJS enables them to design codes with scalable bandwidth, ensuring they can quickly introduce modifications according to the client's requirements. There is no need to change the entire code to raise even a one-liner change in the software codebase.

3. Single-threaded

In traditional multi-threaded servers, several parts of the programs are executed at once. This can slow down the execution and compilation time. It also makes debugging difficult because identifying the process services that are impacted due to the execution of the codebases is not easy. But with NodeJS, it is easier to run and execute JavaScript programs due to single-threaded server operations. It means only one command will be processed at a time and the debugging becomes more accessible.

4. Cross-platform

You can easily use the NodeJS platform to develop applications and websites across multiple devices and operating systems. Therefore, businesses can easily reach out to a more significant section of the audience and earn revenues from them. 

5. Data streaming

NodeJS is one of the best JavaScript programming platform used for streaming data offline and on a real-time basis over the internet. This is why perhaps major streaming companies like Netflix are based on NodeJS.

6. Non-buffering

Another fantastic feature of NodeJS is its non-buffering nature. Whenever the codebases are executed, the segments are not preloaded. Therefore, the connected servers have several options to run the programs with ease.

Advantages of using NodeJS

1. Offers excellent options for scaling the software

2. The learning curve is flat

3. All software units developed to offer excellent performance

4. An open-source platform comes with tremendous support

5. Files and codes are stored in the cache memory

Limitations of NodeJS

1. Lack of appropriate documentation

2. Not ideal for native development

What is ReactJS? 

Unlike NodeJS, ReactJS is used to develop user interfaces with JavaScript-based library functions. Most UI components are reusable and therefore offer more leverage to the developers in building compact and simple codebase for even complicated applications or websites. 

When to use ReactJS?

ReactJS is primarily used to build software products like websites, web pages, applications, mobile applications, and APIs. It improves how developers work on UI components since the code blocks can be reused easily. Apart from this, it also allows the extension of the JavaScript functions and the integration of multiple plugins. 

Real-life applications of ReactJS

Some of the significant areas where ReactJS is used are:

1. Instagram

2. Facebook

3. New York Times

4. WhatsApp

5. Dropbox

Features of ReactJS

1. JSX

JSX is the combination of JavaScript commands with HTML tags. The resultant codes are compact and reduce the need to create different UI codes in HTML and JavaScript. In addition, the principles are easy to understand, even for someone learning this language. 

Since you cannot use these programming languages together in more accessible ways, ReactJS offers an opportunity to utilize them better. 

2. Uni-way data binding

ReactJS comes with a unidirectional data flow to make the codes modular and faster. It means the control will only pass from the parent components to the children and not vice versa. But when inputs are given to the children's members, the values can be rendered to the parent classes for changing the states.

3. Virtual DOM

ReactJS uses a virtual DOM to upload the entire modified web application code. Once done, it is compared with the actual DOM uploaded on the server and changes only the modified parts. Therefore, no impact is observed on the performance of the web applications and the websites.

4. Extensions

From server-side rendering to mobile applications, you can work on various aspects of UI development with the numerous extensions present in ReactJS. This will help you to integrate several functionalities or UI components without developing different codes for the same.

5. Components

Unlike other JavaScript libraries that use modules or classes, ReactJS uses components. Each component represents a specific section of the web page UI. It has its logic and can function independently without impacting any other part. The parent components are the primary blocks that can render multiple child components.

6. Simplicity

The ReactJS code is simple and easy to understand. Besides, the complete syntax is also understandable even by an amateur developer.

Advantages of using ReactJS

1. ReactJS makes the creation of dynamic web applications more accessible.

2. Learning and understanding different ReactJS commands ia super easy.

3. Multiple JavaScript functionalities can be integrated with the form of extensions.

4. The components used to make the codebase can be reused according to the needs.

5. ReactJS does not impact the actual DOM uploaded on the server during modifications.

Limitations of ReactJS

1. You cannot use ReactJS to develop backend elements.

2. Implementing the JavaScript and HTML codes in the JSX form is harder.

Conclusion 

It is not easy to choose between NodeJS and ReactJS due to their confusing similarities and differences. Therefore, you should consider the requirements of your project and compare them with the features and applications of these two development platforms. Only then will you be able to make the right choice.

Implementing either of these technologies will help you achieve the best results and deliver outstanding performance. Besides, you can even live up to your clients' expectations easily. Plus, it helps if you have to train the in-house software development team. Alternatively, if you don’t have an in house team, you can simply connect to a Node js development company in India for your software development requirements.

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This article was published in July 2022