Advantages and Disadvantages of Node.js

Node.js is a JavaScript run-time environment built on Chrome's V8 engine, not a framework or library. It enables server-side execution of JavaScript code. Node.js is also an open-source platform, allowing greater freedom to develop real-time network applications. It provides asynchronous, event-driven I/O APIs to developers. All executions become non-blocking since they operate on a single-threaded event-based loop. Node is a popular platform for creating full-fledged Node applications.

JavaScript web applications, hybrid apps, REST APIs, desktop apps, and even IoT solutions are all possible.

Advantages of Node.js 

1. High Performance
2. Scalability 
3. Easy to Learn 
4. Reduces Loading time using caching 
5. Improves Response time and boosts performance
6. Large Community Support 
7. Cost-Effective
8. Extensibility 

1. High Performance  

One of the most important features of node.js is the ability to create lightning-fast apps that produce results in seconds.

The ability to multitask that Node.js provides is extremely beneficial to web apps. Its event-driven, single-threaded design rapidly processes several simultaneous requests without clogging the RAM. Additionally, its event-loop and non-blocking I/O operations allow code to be executed at a rate that indirectly influences the application's overall performance.

Node.js advantage is that it is powered by the V8 engine in Google Chrome, written in C++. It rapidly and efficiently converts JavaScript to machine code.

This engine is significant because Google makes significant investments in improving efficiency and security and providing strong support for sophisticated JavaScript capabilities.

Furthermore, because it allows non-blocking I/O operations, the run-time environment speeds up code execution.

Google released the V8 benchmark set to improve node.js performance with faster execution, better compilers, security patchworks, and scalability.

2. Scalability 

One of the Node.js advantages is that developers can easily grow applications in both horizontal and vertical orientations. The applications can be horizontally scaled by adding additional nodes to the existing system.

Furthermore, during the vertical scaling of the application, Node.js allows you to add extra resources to single nodes. As a result, it is extremely scalable and offers a superior alternative to existing JavaScript servers.

3. Easy to Learn 

Most front-end developers are familiar with JavaScript because it is one of the most extensively used programming languages.

It will be a lot easier for them to get started using Node.js on the backend. It is simpler to understand Node.js, and working with it takes less time.

4. Cost-Effective 

Node.js allows programmers to develop server-side JavaScript and frontend JavaScript codes with simplicity. One of the major node.js advantages is that it eliminates the need for two resource teams, saving time, money, and energy for overall project development.

LinkedIn's development team switched from Ruby on Rails to Node.js, and the benefits of Node.js helped them gain performance. They lowered the number of servers from 30 to only three. They began delegating and utilizing resources more effectively, changing their attention from debugging to app development.

5. Extensibility 

Node.js offers a lot of extensibility, which means it can be changed and improved to fit unique requirements.

Data may be sent between the web server and the client using the JSON format. It also has APIs for constructing HTTP, TCP, and DNS servers, among other features.

6. Large Community Support 

Millions of developers actively contribute to the Node.js community. To address even the most bizarre development difficulties, anticipate widespread cooperation from development specialists all across the world.

NPM is the world's most comprehensive package manager registry. It includes a number of tools and libraries that you may use right away in your project. Developers will also have access to a wide pool of resources on GitHub, including ready–to–use solutions, scripts, modules, libraries, and registries created by developers to help them do more with less.

IBM is a strong supporter of this rapidly evolving technology and has announced plans to sponsor and speak at key Node events to expand the technology's reach and use. They also want to create open authority in the Node.js and JS Foundations merger, resulting in a strong and thriving JavaScript ecosystem.

Many big tech companies, including Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Netflix, contribute significantly to the node.js community. They've made significant contributions in the shape of several open-source projects. Acceptance by tech giants and the development community ensures the presence and expansion of technology in the foreseeable future.

7. Improves Response Time and Boosts Performance

When Netflix used Java and JavaScript, the startup time was 40 minutes. They then moved to node.js and succeeded in cutting the startup time to under 40 seconds.

A constant stream of queries impacts an app's response time and performance. If your IT stack isn't ready to manage a high volume of requests, the value of your product will rapidly dwindle.

The single-threaded event-loop approach in Node.js provides a non-blocking asynchronous design. This design uses fewer resources since it does not spawn more threads. It improves the responsiveness of your application by dealing with several concurrent users.

8. Reduces Loading Time Using Caching 

The Node.js Caching module makes it simple for developers to decrease task workload and code re-execution. It is one of the major node.js advantages. 

As a result, the initial module of the web application is cached in the in-app memory each time it is accessed. A user may browse online sites quickly without having to wait long.

9. Helps in Building Cross-Functional Teams 

You can use Node.js to construct cross-platform real-time web apps using platforms like Electron and NW.js. This eliminates the need to write separate code for different desktop versions such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Your development team will be able to create native desktop apps in the future without needing expert-level knowledge of Objective-C, C#, or any other language. Additionally, your Node.js engineers will have unlimited access to Google Chrome Developer Tools to build, debug, and create code.

This powerful technique is used in web development using Javascript frameworks like AnjularJS, Vue.js, and React for the front end and Node.js for the back end. It has enabled full-stack developers to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities that node.js provides.

Disadvantages of Node.js  

1. Unstable API
2. Lack of Library Support 
3. Asynchronous Programming Model 

1. Unstable API 

The Application Programming Interface changes frequently and is not reliable, which is one of the most prevalent challenges that most developers experience.

Occasionally, a new API will come with several incompatible changes. As a result, developers must update existing code bases to verify that they are compatible with the latest Node.js API version.

2. Lack Of Library Support 

In comparison to any other programming language, JavaScript lacks a well-equipped and robust library system. As a result, processes like Object-Relational Mapping (ORM), image processing, database operations, and XML parsing must be performed via a common library. This makes it difficult to use Node.js for even simple programming tasks.

3. Asynchronous Programming Model 

If you want to make your apps more scalable, you'll need to use the asynchronous programming strategy. However, many engineers may find this programming method more difficult than linear blocking I/O programming. Another disadvantage of asynchronous programming is that the code tends to become clunky, forcing programmers to rely on nested calls.

Also see, Difference Between Controller and Restcontroller