Python VS NodeJS: A Detailed Comparison 2021

 When it comes to selecting which programming language or run time environment is best to learn as part of your education or in a project, it leaves most people in a dilemma. Most beginners are stuck in the situation of knowing which language would help them succeed more in their careers. What we need to keep in mind is that both these types of programming languages have their own set of features and advantages that can help a project do really well. It is based on these ideas that you can decide what is best for you. 

If you are looking for a career in this field, a fun outlet of creativity, a hobby, or just enhancement of your skills, Python and NodeJs are two things that you would want to get your hands on! There is no right or wrong here as to which one would be the best for your skills, as overall development is more important. 

As a beginner, choosing which programming language is best for you will depend on a few things like the advantages the language provides, the projects you choose to work on, who you would like to work for, and how easy the programming language actually is. That’s for Python. And when it comes to NodeJS, you just need to know what will help you build the smoothest and best software for your application. 

All of these criteria are important when it comes to building an application or website. Keeping these fresh ideas in mind, let us go on to look at these two vital organs of the software development system- Python and NodeJS so that you can decide which one you’d like to jump into for your future endeavors!

 Let us first take a look at what NodeJS and Python really are? 

What is NodeJS?

NodeJS is a server-side platform on Google Chrome’s JavaScript engine. With it, you can create real-time apps that are dependent on databases and can run across a pool of devices. All its applications are written in JavaScript. It is used to run server applications and can be run on operating systems like OS X, Linux, and Microsoft. 

NodeJS is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that is a popular software for any kind of project! NodeJs runs the V8 JavaScript engine, the core of Google Chrome, outside of the browser. This allows it to be high-performing. 

A Node.js app runs in a single process and does not create a new thread for every request. NodeJS provides a set of asynchronous I/O primitives in its standard library. This prevents JavaScript code from blocking. 

What can you do with NodeJS?

It is most prominently used as a backend framework with a version 8 JavaScript engine providing maximum efficiency to the NodeJS codes. It is versatile as it can be used for backend and frontend development through the efficient building of scalable JavaScript applications. What we need to keep in mind is that, unlike Python, NodeJS is a run time environment, while Python is a programming language. 

Libraries in NodeJs are written with non-blocking paradigms. It makes blocking behavior a norm, not an exception. When NodeJs performs an I/O operation, for example: reading from a network, accessing a database or the filesystem, NodeJs resumes its operations when a response comes back. These features allow it to take care of so many concurrent connections with just a single server without introducing the burden of managing thread concurrency, which is a huge source of activating bugs.

 Features and Advantages of using NodeJs

●  NodeJs is based on a single-threaded model and event looping. This kind of event mechanism is advantageous for the server to respond in a non-blocking manner. 

● NodeJs is developed with the V8 JavaScript Engine, literally making it the fastest code execution library. 

● There is no buffering involved in NodeJs as applications output the data piece by piece. 

● It is compatible with cross-platform and is self-reliant in execution. 

● If you are well-versed with JavaScript, then NodeJs will be just a cakewalk. You can use the same language for backend and frontend development. 

● It facilitates quick deployment and microservice development which is preferred by most companies these days as they can get their product out into the market as quickly as possible. 

● NodeJs is definitely scalable which most companies prefer. It looks after concurrent requests and can split the software horizontally. 

● It can process data in a simultaneous nature, and the output delivered is based on the user’s inputs. 

● It offers an extensive global community outreach as it is an open course network. 

● Node package manner (NPM) is a dynamic database of tools that developers can use for app and web development. 

Usage of NodeJs: 

We now know that NodeJs is a run-time environment that is built on JavaScript which helps to build network applications that are highly scalable in nature. It incorporates an event-driven, non-blocking I/O, which makes it the best option available to develop data-intensive and real-time applications. It is a prominent solution for developing chat apps or messaging apps. For heavy load apps or e-commerce sites, NodeJs is the best although it depends on the speed of processing. 

The apps that are most suitable for NodeJs are: 

● I/O bound applications 

● Data streaming applications

 ● Data-intensive and real-time applications (DIRT) 

● JSON APIs based applications 

● Single-page applications

 Popular Use Cases: 

NodeJs has been a part of the following renowned projects: 

● LinkedIn uses Node.js for scalability and performance gains from its efficient nature. 

● PayPal loves Node.js as it allows them to service over 200 million users across virtually every currency without any slurs. 

● Uber runs on Node.js for its scalability and the ability to handle so many requests without breaking apart. 

What is Python? 

The second most popular language on GitHub and one of the most popular languages for machine learning, Python has really been doing the rounds since its development. It is one of the best tools or programming languages for backend and frontend development. It can be used for all kinds of projects as it is purpose and object-oriented as a programming language. It supports a variety of programming spectrums and is one of the best types of languages you should learn.

Python has a well-built syntax and functions with dynamic typing which makes it one of the best languages for scripts. It sanctions many varied programming patterns, with object-oriented programming, functional programming, and procedural styles. Python is simply an interpreted language that states that it runs at runtime and then converts into a computer-readable code. 

What can you do with Python? 

With Python, you can develop apps for desktop, web, and mobile. It comes with an exhaustive set of libraries and packages that help to ease development. The flexible and convenient nature of Python makes it a suitable option for backend development, making it stand on a pedestal for the most used and popular programming language in the world. 

Python being universal in nature can be used for the development of different kinds like AI, big databases, backend and frontend development, automation, and scientific computing processes. Most developers use it for complex projects that involve a whole lot of data, complicated calculations, and involvement of automation and AI.

 Features and Advantages of using Python

● It accepts a low-level module inclusion for the Python interpreter. These modules allow programmers to add tools or customize them. 

● Python gives interfaces for all major commercial databases. 

● Python can support structured and functional programming methods.

● It gives out high-level dynamic data types and props dynamic type checking. 

● It can be easily integrated with C, C++, COM, ActiveX, CORBA, and Java. 

● It is a very easy language for beginners to write, read and understand. 

● It is an interpreted language and displays the errors when you’re typing the line. 

● It is not a static language but highly dynamic in nature, unlike Java. It follows a duck typing method. ● It has packages and modules in a large space open library which is one of its important features. 

● Python is embeddable and extensible with GUI support. 

● While C++ is mid-level, Python is high-level. It is easy to figure out and does not require a lot of memory work. 

Usage of Python: 

Python has an extensive library of open-source data analysis tools, web frameworks, and testing instruments. Thus it involves an ecosystem of the largest programming community to ever exist. It is definitely an accessible, easy language for new programmers. Introductory resources are also available for it. It is taught in many universities and colleges and is used for working with friendly devices for starters like Raspberry Pi. 

The apps that are most suitable for Python are:

 ● E-commerce sites. 

● Educational apps. 

● Apps that involve a huge database. 

● Web and internet development. 

● Business applications. 

● Desktop GUIs.

 Popular Use Cases: 

Python has been a part of the following renowned projects: 

● Instagram for backend service 

● Google has been using Python since the beginning 

● Spotify for backend services and data analysis 

● Netflix uses Python as their developers are a huge fan of the programming language. Sounds cool right? 

Now that we have a basic background understanding of Python as well as NodeJs, let us compare the two software processes based on different criteria! This will help you gain a better understanding of the competitors.

1. Speed and Performance: 

Python is slower as compared to NodeJs because NodeJs has multi-threading which Python does not. It processes everything in a single thread. Due to the V8 Java Engine, NodeJs has really shot up with its speed and efficient performance. To create real-time web solutions, you should most definitely go for NodeJs as it naturally is a better deliverable! 

2. Technology: 

Python involves up-to-date and trendy technology options like machine learning, IoT, and Data Science. MicroPython is a small-sized variant of Python that is used for IoT. Although NodeJs can be used to build IoT, it is more common and suitable for web apps. It totally depends on you as a programmer and your project as a whole, to know which software you would like to incorporate. 

3. Architecture: 

NodeJs has a single-thread event loop architecture that can be connected to the non-blocking feature of NodeJs which can take care of concurrent connections of different numbers without switching context. Python does not have any built-in support of this kind and needs special features to make this possible. Thus, NodeJs would be a better solution for architectural-based projects. 

4. Syntax: 

You can get more through a few lines of coding of Python syntax. It does not involve curly brackets, which makes it easy to debug and analyze. Thus, it is called a beginner-friendly programming language as it is easy to understand and read. On the other hand, NodeJs is also very similar and easy to work with if you are well versed with JavaScript. 

5. Universality: 

NodeJs and Python can be both used for backend as well as front-end software development. They are both versatile and flexible in nature to adapt to the two. Python can be used for desktop and web development and NodeJs for cross-platform apps, IoT, web, and mobile apps. They are both wonderful options in this case scenario. 

6. Scalability: 

Python does not have enough scalability which is a big drawback. It is definitely a slow programming language and does not have multithreading options. The runtime codes make it impossible for Python to have good scalability. NodeJs is very naturally scalable as it has perfect runtime with cluster modules. It can handle the entire power of a database or machine. It has strategies like cloning, splitting, and decomposing which make it easy to manage. 

7. Extensibility: 

Python is extensible through frameworks like Django, web2py, and Flask. Extending features for C and C++ are also available. Python a variety of Java Python make scripting easier and enables rapid application development. If Python has extensive frameworks, so does NodeJs with Derbyjs, Koajs, and Hapijs. All enable smooth application development. 

8. Handling Errors: 

Python has a compact syntax which makes it easy to find the bugs and debug them. People also have a common understanding that Python is easier when it comes to handling errors as compared to NodeJs. But NodeJs can handle errors in the same way Python can through debugging and many options that provide easy ways to get rid of the errors. 

9. Libraries: 

Pip is the default package installer for Python that takes care of the packages and libraries. Python has more than 200 thousand packages through a range of different topics and categories to choose from. NodeJs has a node package manager with 1.3 million packages which definitely beats Pip at taking the crown for libraries. 

10.Community: 

Python being popular and common among programmers has a huge community to be a part of. You can post queries and get advice from the best of the best in this community. You can connect with top developers and learn some of the best-in-class tactics to programming in Python. NodeJs also has a team of a friendly and active group of developers, who will help you whenever required with packages and career development. 

What should you choose in 2021? Python or NodeJs? 

Both Python and NodeJs are crucial in their own individual setups and are important organs of the web development and software development world. Programmers have their preferences when it comes to using both the software, depending on the project they take up, and what would cater better to the needs of a client. They have their own pros and cons that should be weighed before deciding on one specific software to work with. At the end of the day, it is you who decides what the best programming language is for you to incorporate into your career. Define the primary functional requirements first, and you’re good to go! 

Learn Python Programming Language and NodeJs, here at Digikull!

 Now that you are well-aware of everything that goes behind learning Python and NodeJs, join us here at Digikull to learn the latest technology skills in all aspects. With us, you get an upper hand over everyone else which is enough incentive to be a part of our learning environment. Digikull has served a wide range of students from different backgrounds who long to inculcate some tech skills and you can choose the topic of your choice. All we need from you is a computer, good internet and a few hours of your spare time! 

Our technology trainers come from an expert corporate background and are well-versed to share their information with you. Students of all backgrounds are welcome here as we do not look at your education, just a passion to learn digital technology is perfect for us! Saving the best for the last- you can also get placed in a company in the last few weeks of your course with us! So what are you waiting for? Join our courses at Digikull NOW!