JavaScript and Java continue to be the most popular and second-most popular programming languages in the world, respectively. Both languages are prized by developers for their versatility, ease-of-use, and strong developer community.
Businesses love JavaScript because it allows developing interactive and dynamic websites easily. It also comes with Node.js, a popular runtime environment that can increase website speeds and streamline the development process. On the other hand, Java development companies love their language because it offers consistency and long-term stability - something the young Node cannot provide.
Companies interested in sourcing back-end developers should know which language they intend to use before beginning the hiring process. This guide will help managers understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with two of the most popular back-end development tools, Java and JavaScript's Node.js.
Node
Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime environment that runs server-side code. When it was released in 2009, Node immediately impacted the development world by changing the way that web applications operate. Before its release, web apps used the client-server model. Node revolutionized that system by using server idle time and an event loop to complete other requests.
JavaScript developers use Node for more than back-end development too. It's also used to create real-time apps like Uber and Netflix that rely on high processing speed and low latency.
Advantages
The most important advantage associated with Node is the fact that JavaScript is everywhere. It's not only the most popular programming language used today--it's also used to build an estimated 95% of all modern websites.
JavaScript is so popular because of its extreme versatility. It can be used for front-end and back-end web development, mobile applications, and desktop programs. This is a huge benefit for developers since they can maximize their value as employees by learning the language with the widest potential.
In addition, Node can be used to build simple and scalable web applications quickly. The popular JavaScript framework simplifies the development process and comes with a range of time-saving components and libraries. Experts have also found that Node requires a full 33% fewer lines of code for the same project compared to Java.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage associated with Node is the lack of integrated development environments (IDEs). These tools and plugins help developers save time and focus by simplifying debugging, decompiling, and server operations.
In addition, JavaScript, and Node, in particular, are simply not as established or reliable as Java. JavaScript frameworks like Node continue to receive regular updates that can often upend the language's basic features and require extensive study for developers to master.
Java
Java continues to be one of the most important programming languages for enterprise use and desktop development. GitHub's 2018 Year in Review survey ranked it as the second-most popular programming language among software engineers.
Java developers use it to build powerful desktop applications, like the well-known stock trading program LMAX. Programmers also utilize the versatile language to create successful Android apps, server-side applications, and for traditional web development.
Advantages
The single most important advantage associated with back-end Java development is the language's platform independence. Code written in Java will work smoothly on a variety of operating systems, shortening the development lifecycle and reducing costs. Contrast this with JavaScript languages like Node, which requires developers to rebuild modules for different operating systems.
Another of the main benefits associated with Java is its gentle learning curve. Programmers consistently remark that it is a useful, high-level language that uses basic syntax that closely resembles the human language and that is already used extensively in the C++ language. This makes learning Java an easy task for experienced programmers interested in transitioning to back-end development.
Towards this end, the language is built to be easy to read and write. Oracle's chief Java architect said that" the core values of the language, and the platform, are readability and simplicity."
In addition, the long-lived Java offers the sort of consistency and stability that Node, and many other competitors, simply cannot provide. The language is more than 20 years old and receives rock-solid institutional support from Oracle. This means that developers can learn the language confident in the fact that little will change in future updates.
Java also comes with superior IDEs. These tools and plugins help developers with debugging, decompiling, and server integration. Some of the most popular Java IDEs are Eclipse, NetBeans, and IntelliJ.
Finally, Java is well known for its extensive collection of libraries. These allow developers to reuse code snippets to simplify basic tasks, save time, and complete development quicker. Some of the most popular libraries are JAXB, JUnit, and Apache Commons.
Disadvantages
A major disadvantage associated with Java is the length that it can take to complete small development projects. Java comes with a ready-made suite of plugins and tools that help simplify the development of large, complex applications. However, this same collection of tools can make the development of basic projects more time-consuming than necessary.
Another problem with Java is that the language is limited to back-end development. Java is an excellent back-end, mobile application, and desktop program builder. However, it is of little use when it comes to front-end development. Node, on the other hand, can be used for both parts of development.
Which is the Right Choice for Your Project?
Scope of the Project
Before sourcing any candidates or even selecting a programming language, all stakeholders must understand the scope of the project. This will not only help executives choose the right programming language, but it will also help them budget well, create accurate time estimates, and set their team up for success.
Managers overseeing small-scale projects would be best-off using Node.js for development. That's because the versatile JavaScript framework comes with a wide variety of libraries that streamline the development process. In addition, Node is famous for compiling very quickly.
Java, on the other hand, comes with a huge amount of frameworks and libraries that can make complex, large-scale development projects easier to manage. In addition, the vast array of IDEs helps programmers identify bugs and fix problems before they impact end-users.
Size of In-House Development Team
Companies with small development teams will likely gravitate towards JavaScript languages like Node for their development needs. That's because Node can be used for both front-end and back-end development, eliminating the need for a large development team with multiple competencies.
In addition, Node and other JavaScript languages are quite simple to learn. Like Java, they use the same syntax as C++ and Python. That's one reason why experienced programmers often choose JavaScript as their second development language.
Companies with larger development teams who can afford specialized workers may opt to develop their backend using Java. That's because Java developers can write platform-independent code using Java, eliminating the need to rebuild modules for different operating systems.
Those same developers can also be repositioned to work on desktop and mobile applications once back-end web development is complete.
Long-term Planning
Java is the clear-cut winner when it comes to long-term planning. The popular programming language has been used extensively by the tech world and Java outsourcing community over the past twenty years.
This means that the language's features have been thoroughly tested--and only the most important components remain. Developers often feel most confident learning this type of language since radically changes are unlikely to occur.
In addition, Java comes with strong institutional support. The tech giant Oracle maintains the Java language and ensures that regular updates are released to the community.
Conclusion
JavaScript and Java are the most popular programming languages in the world for good reason. Both languages come with a gentle learning curve, can be used on a huge variety of projects, and are in high-demand by Fortune 500 companies and Silicon Valley.
Businesses interested in building a back-end development team should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each language and their particular project before speaking with candidates. That's because each language is best suited to a specific style of back-end development.
Companies interested in launching small, simple projects are likely best-suited using a JavaScript language like Node.js, which can significantly shorten the length of basic projects. On the other hand, large companies and Java development services prize Java because it makes complex development simple and comes with the strongest track record of any back-end language.
