Aryan Shaily
Why Use Node.js as a Backend Runtime?
July 10, 2024
An article by me on why should we use nodejs as a backend runtime. I wrote this after I was asked this question in an interview.
- Single-threaded, event-driven architecture: Unlike other platforms, Node.js effectively processes several concurrent requests without clogging RAM. Hence, it offers high performance in real-time applications.
- Easy horizontal scaling: Using the clustering module, it’s easy to create scalable applications.
- Full-stack efficiency: JavaScript is used in both the backend and frontend, enabling faster and more efficient development.
While this is the answer they were looking for, should we REALLY use Node.js as a backend framework?
The Short Answer: Yes (Most of the Time)
Node.js makes it incredibly easy to bootstrap a project, making it a no-brainer for many use cases. It’s scalable and efficient enough for most projects.
However, when it comes to larger-scale applications and maximum CPU optimization, Node.js may not be the best option. Here’s why:
- JavaScript is an interpreted language: This creates an overhead compared to compiled languages like Go and Rust.
- Garbage collection inefficiency: As the application size grows, JavaScript’s garbage collector can become less efficient.
- CPU-bound tasks: Node.js is single-threaded, which means it can struggle with CPU-intensive tasks. In contrast, Go offers built-in support for concurrency.
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
It all depends on your project’s requirements:
- If you need maximum CPU optimization, go for Go.
- If you want to quickly build a demo or single-page application, choose Node.js.
- If you require high optimization for both memory and CPU, consider Rust.
Each option has its pros and cons, so carefully weigh them before starting your project.