If you are someone who's confused between the leading programming languages like Node.js and Python, then this article will be your savior. In this article, we'll cover everything step by step, starting with a brief history of the languages and going for a head-to-head comparison for both languages.
The competition between these two languages is going to be tough because Python ranks third among the most used programming languages in the world. At the same time, Javascript, which is the underlying language for Node js, ranks first in the world.
Everyone needs to know about Node.js vs. Python? Why Choose in 2022 because there are so many situations that create problems so we need to hire node.js developer to understand what performs better in which case.
So buckle up; this is going to be an insightful blog about both these languages. By the end, you'll be able to decide on which language you should choose to go forward with.
Let's start off by knowing about Python.
==> Brief History About Python
Python is a high-level object-oriented programming language aimed at making things easier to read and understand. Python as a language has come a far way because of its actual usage in fields like data science, analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. From its humble beginnings, today, it is a language that can be used to make anything. It is like a one-stop shop for all developers.
Guido Van Rossum released it in 1993 after he started it as a hobby project in Christmas week. Moreover, it is named Python because the creator loved Monty python's flying circus; apart from that, there's nothing more profound thought in the language's name.
After knowing the history of Python, let's jump to its benefits.
* Benefits Of Using Python
Here are some benefits you'll realize when you choose to work with Python:-
- Open-source Libraries
Python, as a language, is pretty much powerful, but some tasks require special modules. This is where the open-source libraries offered by python shine. Python's pip installer and PyPI website are filled with valuable libraries to make working easier.
To achieve complex tasks in the data science, machine learning, and AI fields, Python relies mainly on the open-source libraries available under the pip installer. Libraries like scikit, scipy, NumPy, pandas, seaborn, TensorFlow are used heavily in python development.
While using Python with open-source libraries, your coding efforts will be minimized, and productivity will reach new heights.
- Object-Oriented
One of the primary benefits of using Python is that it is object-oriented. Today, having an object-oriented programming language is a necessity. Without object orientation, a language lacks lots of features that are required to solve today’s challenges.
As Python is object-oriented, it has classes and functions using which it can help developers achieve their tasks. Moreover, data abstraction can be achieved using objects and classes, and a single code can be reused for multiple occurrences.
- Multi-Purpose Development Language
Another significant benefit of choosing Python is that it is a multi-purpose development language. With Python, you can create games, websites, machine learning models, visualizations, and even chat bots. With its object-oriented approach, Python can handle anything that is thrown at it swiftly.
So whether you want to build a game or website, or any other complex thing, you just need to learn one language, and that too is one of the simplest ones.
By now, we've had a deep dive into Python, so let's jump towards exploring Node.js.
==> Brief History About Node JS
Node js is a javascript runtime based on the chrome V8 engine developed by Google. Though Ryan Dahl developed Node js, it runs on the chrome V8 javascript engine. Because this runtime engine is speedy, node js is also fast.
With the inception of node js, javascript began to be used as a backend language. Prior to this framework's development, javascript was only used for client-side interactions and frontend modifications. Still, with passing time node js got its reputation as a server-side scripting language and more and more companies are now opting to outsource node.js development companies.
Let's dive into its benefits now.
* Benefits Of Node JS
Being a modern framework, nodejs has many benefits, have a look at a few of them below.
- Super Fast
One of the enormous benefits of using nodejs is the performance speed it offers. It uses a non-blocking IO model meaning every request is processed as and when received, no request is transferred to the waiting queue.
When multiple things are processed at a time, the program’s speed will surely increase. This is the reason behind node js being a super fast backend development framework.
- Backed By NPM
When you start using node, you expose yourself to one of the biggest package repositories. The npm library is the default go-to library for any programming needs. The repository contains everything you might need during software development, and the active community constantly updates the libraries.
- Easy To Learn
Another significant benefit of node js is that it is easier to learn. If you are a frontend developer with experience in javascript, learning node js will be straightforward for you. You just need to go through ES6 updates in javascript and strengthen your basics to rock the node js development.
Even if you start learning node js as a first language, it is pretty manageable, and you won't feel lost in the nodejs world. There is excellent documentation for everything in node js, so if you get stuck upon something, you can browse through the documentation and quickly learn it again.
Currently, you know the benefits of both nodejs and Python, but to make a choice, you need a head-to-head comparison, so let's start with the comparison.
==> Head To Head Comparison Of Python And Node JS
# Performance And Speed
While making real-world software solutions, performance and speed are the two things you should consider the most. So why not start the comparison with this thing.
Python is a high-level language with object-orientation and single code flow, so the execution and performance speed is somewhat lower. It also supports multi-threading, but it does not meet the speed parameters set by node js.
As node js uses a non-blocking IO model, all its operations are superfast. So, if you are planning to build a software application that demands performance speed, nodejs is your buddy. But if you are fine with fast speeds and don't want superfast execution, then you can proceed to choose Python.
# Syntax
While building Python, Guido Van Russom wanted to develop a scripting language that was easily readable by anyone, so the python syntax is straightforward. A program written in Python looks like some steps written in plain English like an algorithm.
On the other hand, node js's syntax is somewhat complex compared to Python because it is derived from javascript. But there are things in node js that are far easier than plain javascript, which is why people consider using it.
If your codebase needs to look neat and clean, and many people will work on it together, it is better to choose Python. But if you like the classical touch with brackets and semicolons, node js is good to go.
# Libraries And Support
When building an application for commercial purposes, you focus more on the timelines and deliverables than coding all from scratch. So it is vital to have a good community and lots of readily available libraries and modules. Thankfully both these languages rock on this part.
Python has a plethora of libraries to choose from, and the packages can be installed with the pip installer. Its libraries range from machine learning, networking, data science to game development and even website development. Moreover, it has an active community of developers on leading forums like stack overflow and Reddit. So if you get stuck on anything, help is always at your disposal.
The other competitor-node js boasts one of the most extensive package repositories of all time. Same as Python's libraries, this repository is filled with astonishing libraries that make the task easy. If you want to implement anything, it will already exist in the npm repository as a ready-to-use package.
If you want to decide on the basis of libraries and support, it is going to be a tough decision. The community equally loves both these languages, and there are tons of self-help materials on using these languages.
Coming to an end, by now, you know everything about both these trending languages. So if you want to make a choice, it will be much more precise. However, while choosing any language, you should carefully review your needs and proceed with a language. In simple terms, if you want to keep juggling between different things, you should work with Python, but if you are focused on backend and real-time software development, node js should work for you.
