Node.js vs Python: Which Backend Technology to Choose?

Ever wondered how with a single click, all of the desired data is shown on your screen? How are you able to video call or FaceTime your friends and family easily? How does the internet manage such a large database and fetch the required data at any given time? This is all possible due to backend technologies. Backend technology is necessary for behind-the-scenes work like storing data, managing user authentication, and many more.

In this article, we’ll look at various features of Node.js and Python to be chosen as a backend technology for your project.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a single-threaded, open-source, cross-platform runtime environment for building fast and scalable server-side applications. It is written in C, C++ and Javascript making it faster for running a server. It runs on Google’s V8 Engine. Its single-threaded nature implies that it can handle many concurrent connections. Its Javascript use makes it suitable for both frontend and backend. It has fast and efficient execution due to its non-blocking nature.

What is Python?

Python is an open-source, object-oriented, high-level, dynamic programming language. It is a dynamically typed and interpreted language. Python is the second most popular language and is the most popular one for machine learning. It is a highly versatile language and can be easily integrated with other languages like C, C++, Java etc. Python can be used in many areas like scientific computing, machine learning, big data, web development and many more.

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Node.js vs Python

Let’s delve into a comprehensive comparison of Node.js and Python across various key aspects to help you make an informed decision for your backend technology. We’ll explore their performance, scalability, extensibility, architecture, universality, learning curve, libraries and tools, error handling, community, and use cases. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how each technology fares in different scenarios, allowing you to choose the best fit for your project’s needs.

1. Performance

The performance metrics for both Node.js and Python can be compared based on various factors like the use case of the application, its type and requirements. Following is a breakdown of performance considerations for both Node.js and Python.

Node.js

• V8 Engine – Since Node.js is interpreted using the V8 engine, it has a great performance.
• Architecture – The event-driven and non-blocking architecture of Node.js allows it to handle multiple requests at the same time and makes its execution simpler and faster as compared to other technologies.
• TCP Sockets – Node.js executes code outside the web browser making it more resource-efficient and performing better. This is achieved as Node.js allows the use of TCP sockets.
• Caching – Node.js provides single module caching of fetched data that helps reduce the loading time.

Python

• Single-flow – Python uses a single-flow of code which makes it much slower than Node.js.
• Architecture – Python’s innate architecture does not allow multithreading.
• Interpreted Language – Python is an interpreted language that makes it comparatively slower than compiled languages like Java.
• Low performance – Python cannot be used for applications that prioritize performance, speed and complex calculations.

2. Scalability

Scalability determines the efficiency of the application during high traffic, increase in data loads or increase in functionalities. Following is a breakdown of scalability considerations for both Node.js and Python.

Node.js

• Microservices – Node.js does not use a monolithic core, it uses microservices and modules for its functionalities. Thus, applications can be easily scaled up or down by adding or removing modules.
• Vertical Scaling – Node.js allows vertical scaling i.e. adding modules to the applications to increase functionality.
• Horizontal Scaling – Node.js allows horizontal scaling i.e. adding resources to the modules to increase their computation and resource power.

Python

• Global Interpreter Lock – The use of Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) by Python does not support multithreading thus providing a hindrance to scalability.
• Multithreading Libraries – The multithreading libraries of Python do not provide true multithreading as due to GIL all requests are run on a single thread and not simultaneously on multiple threads.
• Dynamically-typed Language – The dynamic-typed nature of Python makes it not so good choice for large-scale projects.

3. Extensibility

Extensibility is the ease of adding new features and functionality to the application. Both Node.js and Python offer extensibility but both differ in ecosystem. Following is a breakdown of extensibility considerations for both Node.js and Python.

Node.js

• Built-in APIs – Node.js can be easily extended, customized and integrated with various tools with the help of built-in APIs for creating HTTP and DNS servers.
• Web Frameworks – Development with Node.js can be extended by integrating with Babel for frontend development or other web frameworks like Express, Angular and Vue.
• Module Bundling – For module bundling, Webpack or PM2 can be used.
• Testing and Troubleshooting – For unit testing, Jasmine can be used and Log.io can be used for monitoring and troubleshooting.

Python

• Code Editors – Python can be easily integrated with code editors like Sublime Text to provide additional editing and syntax features.
• Web Development – Python libraries and frameworks like Django and Flask can be used for efficient web development.
• Testing – Robot Framework can be used for test automation.
• Data-driven Apps – Web2Py can be used for agile development for apps where data is the main essence.

4. Architecture

The project’s architectural requirements lead to the choice between the various architectural patterns provided by both Node.js and Python. Following is a breakdown of architecture considerations for both Node.js and Python.

Node.js

• Event-driven – Node.js architecture is event-driven, thus it allows asynchronous input/output, thus decreasing the development time. This architecture makes it an ideal choice for web games and chat applications.
• Single-threaded Event Loop – Node.js uses the single-thread event loop to handle multiple clients at the same time.
• Parallel Processing – Node.js allows to run processes parallelly without blocking the thread hence making the deployment process faster.

Python

• Synchronous Nature – Python is synchronous which slows it down.
• Parallel Processing – Python does not support parallel processes but it can be achieved using the Asyncio library.
• Event-driven – Python can be made event-driven by using modules like CPython.

5. Universality

Universality means how extensively are both Node.js and Python being used in various domains across various industries based on different use cases. Following is a breakdown of universality considerations for both Node.js and Python.

Node.js

• Fullstack Development – Node.js is a Javascript tool which makes it quite popular and universal. Javascript can be used for both frontend and backend without any efficiency issues and with great compatibility.
• Applications – Node.js can be used not only for web applications but also for desktop applications, mobile applications and IoT.
• Cross-platform – Node.js is cross-platform. This allows the same application to run smoothly on Mac, Linux or Windows.

Python

• Fullstack Development – Same as Node.js, Python can be used efficiently for both front-end and back-end development with the help of its extensive set of tools and libraries.
• Applications – Python can be used for many applications like web applications, IoT and machine learning.
• Cross-Platform – Python provides cross-platform usage. It is pre-installed on Mac and Linux and Python’s interpreter needs to be installed on Windows.

6. Learning Curve

The learning curve is a relationship between the proficiency of a developer in a language or tool to the amount of time spent on that language or tool. Following are the learning curves associated with Node.js and Python.

Node.js

• Javascipt-based – Node.js is a Javascript-based environment that makes it easy to master and learn with a prior basic knowledge of Javascript.
• Event-driven Architecture – Features like event-driven architecture are a bit tricky to master but once mastered, it will help scale the application easily.
• Low-entry Threshold – The low entry threshold of Node.js makes it a competent field to find job opportunities.

Python

• Ease of Learning – Python is easier to learn as compared to Javascript.
• Readable and Debuggable – Python code is short and easier to read and debug which makes it a good choice for beginners.
• Indentation-sensitive – Learning Python helps developer brush up on their indentation practice too.

7. Libraries and Tools

Learning about various tools and libraries provided by backend technologies helps make a better choice between Node.js and Python. Following are the tools and libraries provided by Node.js and Python.

Node.js

• Npm – Node.js provides a package manager called npm(Node Package Manager) that can be used to install and use Node packages. With 350,000 packages, it is the largest repository of packages in the world.
• Documentation – Documentation for Node packages is quite simple and easy to understand due to its huge popularity.
• Packages – Express, Lodash, Async, Moment etc are some popular Node packages.

Python

• PIP – PIP(Python installs Python) is the library and package manager for Python.
• Documentation – PIP has large documentation that is readily available to developers to help them understand the packages better.
• Packages – Scikit-learn, Pipenv, Numpy, Pandas etc are some popular Python packages.

8. Error Handling

Error handling is the process of responding to and recovering from error conditions in your program. Following are the ways Node.js and Python handle errors.

Node.js

• Runtime Exceptions – The multithreading nature of Node.js instead of providing high performance leads to many runtime exceptions.
• Parallel Processing – The parallel processing nature of Node.js makes finding bugs and errors difficult.

Python

• Easy Troubleshooting – The clean and compact code of Python makes troubleshooting easier.
• No Parallel Processing – Due to the lack of parallel processing in Python, bugs and errors can be easily detected.

9. Community

Community holds a great part in deciding which backend technology to choose. Tools are frequently updated by community members and developers. Following are the strengths of Node.js and Python in terms of community.

Node.js

• Large Community – Since Node.js is open-source, a large community for Node.js can be found around the globe.
• References – Many kinds of tutorials, videos and modules have been built by the community for the community.
• Discussion Forums – All the packages provided by Node are managed by the community with all errors easily resolved by following online discussion forums.

Python

• Large Community – Since Python is an old language and open-source language, it has a huge community support of experienced developers.
• Discussion Forums – Python-dedicated forums are present everywhere among all the online discussion forums.
• Business Impact – A large community of Python can help businesses find developers easily.

10. Use Cases

The choice between Node.js and Python for a specific use case involves considering various features. Following are the use cases of Node.js and Python.

Node.js

Node.js is used for projects that are data-driven and real-time applications that have concurrent requests due to its event-driven nature. The following applications use Node.js:

• Content Management Systems
• Chat Applications
• Data streaming applications
• Games

Companies like Amazon, Linkedin, Netflix, Tumblr and Paypal use Node.js.

Python

Although Python is slower than Node.js, its troubleshooting, documentation and large community have made it popular. The following areas use Python:

• Science and Engineering
• Data Science
• DevOps and Testing
• Automation
• Machine Learning

Companies like Nasa, Reddit, Facebook, Google, Pixar, and Spotify use Python.

Key Differences: Node.js vs Python

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the basic difference between Node.js and Python in terms of the choice of a backend technology for your project. Your choice depends on various factors and one of each technology takes an edge over the other. Node.js can be used over Python when performance, scalability and architecture are considered. Python can be used over Node.js when learning curve and error handling are considered. Both Node.js and Python are good choices when extensibility, universality, libraries and tools, community and use cases are considered. Thus, as a developer, consider all the above factors before choosing between Node.js and Python.