Since its launch in 2009, Node.js has rapidly become one of the most popular languages amongst developers.  Given the timing of its launch, it fit a clear need in the market for a language that leveraged the growth of Javascript but offered greater performance for Server Side applications and outstanding Mobile and Multi-Platform support.

Programming Language Performance Tradeoffs

Some of the key variables that impact the optimal programming language for a given task include:

• Performance Requirements
• Utility of Available Libraries associated with programming language
• Type of Application
• Application Complexity

In some cases, it is best to use multiple languages for different parts of the application – server side vs client side, etc.

The following chart shows different types of options and impact on performance:

Node.js Advantages

Node.js is a dynamically complied language that allows the use of Javascript on server-side applications.  It was developed in 2009 and gained a high level of traction in the last decade.  It has an extensive set of libraries available to accelerate tasks.  It allows for the use of a single language on both server-side and client-side web applications.  In addition, there is a very large number of open source libraries available to developers using Node.js to accelerate development.  The chart below from a Stackoverflow survey of developers shows just how popular Node.js currently is among developers:

The key drivers of Node.js popularity include:

• Easy to Learn – It leverages the enormous popularity of Javascript to minimize learning time.
• Scalability – It is designed with network scalability in mind and can handle many simultaneous sessions.
• Performance – Node.js uses Google’s V8 Javascript Engine which does just in time compiling to the native machine language.
• Multi-Platform Support – Since Node.js is not pre-compiled, it can provide straightforward multiplatform support from Google’s V8 Javascript Engine.
• Multithreading Sort Of – Javascript is inherently not a multithreaded programming language. However, Node.js has a number of workarounds including worker threads that allow for a level of multithreading make it more useful for server-side applications.

Performance Tradeoff

There is a performance tradeoff versus using a fully compiled lower level language such as C++.  However, for web applications that do not have extreme performance requirements, Node.JS significantly reduces development times, particularly for those programmers who are familiar with the wide range of libraries available in Node.JS.  In addition, overall project management becomes easier as Node.JS allows for Javascript to be used across the project.

The chart below shows some examples of performance tradeoffs on very specific test scenarios between C++ and Node.JS.

Divertica’s Perspective

Divertica’s technical team has been using Node.js for almost a decade.  In the hands of a highly experienced programmer it can eliminate a significant amount of programming by:

• Allowing easy support for Mobile and Multiplatform
• Leverage existing libraries which can provide over 70% of the code for an application
• Provide outstanding application performance in a networked web environment

Divertica utilizes Node.js extensively for a variety of application development.  We leverage both widely available open source libraries as well as libraries we have built over the last decade across over 50 projects.