Node.js or PHP: Which Technology To Opt For Your Next Project

NODE.JS OR PHP: WHICH TECHNOLOGY TO OPT FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT

In the current era of the Software Development, the biggest challenge is to choose the right programming language for the development of your project especially to opt for the best Backend technology. In the Backend Development world, both PHP and Node.js are very famous but the million dollar question is which one is the best.

Are there some projects which could give better outcomes on Node.js and others on PHP to get your Robust Applications? To find out the answer and get into the Pros and Cons of these platforms, we need to see the current trends and the total number of the website developed on PHP and Node.js in the recent past.

PROS OF USING NODE.JS TECHNOLOGY

Node.js is an open-source server-side Javascript run-time environment built on JavaScript Engine(V8). It’s an event-driven and used for building fast and scalable applications with the non-blocking I/O model.

1) The Fast-suite

The most significant thing about Node.js is the speed and the companies are in awe of this functionality of the Node.js. It runs on the JavaScript Engine (V8) and uses native machine code and performs at a super speed. Node.js is highly popular for asynchronous, data-driven applications and heavy I/O-bound workflows such as RTAs (Real-time Applications) or SPAs (Single-page Applications), where it ensures excellent runtime performance. Node.js uses a single thread that negates all the trouble involved with forming separate threads. A Single thread is an event loop that holds strong command on all the asynchronous I/O Operations. Node.js performed a major action in the web application in terms of the dealing with the database, network connections or the file system.

2) Full Stack Javascript

Earlier Javascript was only used for the Client-side development and there was a need to use different server-side language. In the development process, to hire both Frontend & Backend Developers was incurring a more cost. In the recent past, the Node.js Full- stack Developers have successfully cater to this and makes this Full-stack development so popular to make the web applications (both Front-end and back-end in the Javascript). It increases the overall efficiency & effectiveness of the Application.

3) Community Friendly

Apart from the core competencies of the Node.js programming language. The Node.js community is an open-source platform where many developers are contributing in an effective manner to excel the best outcomes from this programming language and making the applications more friendly and easy to use. A Noted one Socket.io, a module to handle uninterrupted communication between the client and server to pass on the real-time updates to clients. Node.js development is still in the early stage in the Software development world and the community is
evolving dynamically every day and will go the extra mile in the coming future.

CONS OF USING NODE.JS TECHNOLOGY

1) Unstable API

One of the cons of using Node.js Framework is the Application Programming Interface (API) keeps on changing and remain unstable even at times, a new API occurs a number of backwards-incompatible changes. Eventually, it leads to making changes in the accessible code bases to match up with the latest version of the API to bring the compatibility.It is also known Node.js an event-based environment not good in performing CPU intensive operations – generating or editing graphics, audio, and video. Thus, if you looking to build a graphics app, a multi-threaded server environment would be the good option than Node.js.

2) Weak Library Support System

Node.js having a lack of well equipped and robust library system than other programming languages. To complete the task like Object-Relational Mapping (ORM, Database operations, Image processing etc. the users have to take the support of the common Library. This
Asynchronous programming model to be more difficult for the developers as the codes tend to become clumsy comparing to the linear blocking I/O programming.

PROS OF USING PHP TECHNOLOGY

PHP, a server-side scripting language, very popular when it comes to moving static websites into dynamic. It has a plethora of benefits which makes it extensively used across the globe for developing a top-quality website.

1) Rich Code Base Enables Rapid Development

PHP Produced Rapid Development as it has a powerful code base which includes popular platforms for making websites (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla). In today’s development world, speed matters a lot to leverage on your business growth and the PHP Frameworks (Laravel,
Symfony) enabling the Rapid Application Development that comes with a command-line tool and uses to generate codes. An open-source solution written in the PHP backed by the strong community makes this language even more popular. The numerous PHP Applications offered by Hosting platforms could save more time as they can be installed with a single click.

2) Portable Solution backed by easier maintenance

PHP is compatible with almost all servers and supports a wide range of database which makes it a highly portable application development solution. You can run your code anywhere after writing the code only once, for the smaller companies / individuals PHP integration and deployment is even easier. PHP Frameworks guide you in writing loosely coupled code that is easy to read, test, maintain while doing development.

3) Designed for the Web

PHP includes all required functionality to manage HTML, Servers and Database (MYSQL) and makes it so prominent to work well on the web unlike Java or python and any other general-purpose programming language. You also no need to worry about the JavaScript in the browser when you are using comprehensive server-side solution (PHP) as on the server-side all pages can be smoothly generated & rendered.

CONS OF USING PHP TECHNOLOGY

Above, we have seen how PHP Language can help you in your Software development, now let’s discuss the downsides of this Language

1) Outdated Client-Server Model

PHP’s classNameical Client-Server model initiates the application, database, HTML rendering and other configuration parameters with every page request and that make PHP somewhat slower in comparison to other Backend technology especially to Node.js technology that
needs to initialise once and runs permanently.

2) Slower Execution & Inefficient Separations of Concerns (SoC)

PHP Framework is comparatively slow in execution and creates complexity and overhead in terms of the classNamees before the code gets called. The Separation of concerns (SoC) is clearly visible between data behaviour and representation once implementation of
the MVC (Model-View-Controller) approaches. Henceforth, its a very hard to use & manage a large code base in the PHP Applications.

SO, WHICH PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE TO OPT FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

Now, we have seen both Node.js and PHP have their pros & cons. To make your conscious choice which programming language would be better for you need to leverage your knowledge of both technologies’ architectures and most importantly on the definite outcomes for the
respective projects as end product matters the most. PHP should be used in the applications where an interaction between client and the server is less while Node.js should be used for the applications wher e an interaction between client and the server happens a lot.

HOW METADESIGN SOLUTIONS (MDS) CAN HELP YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

We at MDS, with the team of 300+ Software Developers expertise in developing rich and high performing web applications using Open Source and Enterprise Web Technologies. With an experience of developing 2000+ different applications for different industries and user base, we understand when and where to use which web technology whether you are looking forPHP Development Services or Node.js Development Services to develop the best possible web application for our customers.