jsJavaScript (JS) is the most popular programming language out there which is used to control and create dynamic website content. React Js and Node Js, both are JavaScript technologies used by developers.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a popular, text-based programming language which is used both on the client and server side. It is the core technology of the web that makes web pages interactive.
JS creates the creative elements on web pages that engage a user such as photo slideshow and moving animations. Anything that ‘moves’ on the web page, like while ‘refreshing’, is created with the help of JS.
Main Difference between React Js and Node Js:
React Js and Node Js are technologies used by JavaScript and often confused because of their inter-connectedness. The main difference between the two is that Node Js is a back-end open source, JS runtime environment. It is used to create server side applications.
Whereas, React Js is a front end UI (user interface) library. It is used to develop and create elegant and interactive user side interface.
Both of them are equally important and quite popular, having their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The developers should have a clear understanding of both before using them in their projects. This article will help you learn and differentiate between the two and where and how they should be used.
What is Node.js?
First of all keep in mind that Node Js is neither a framework nor a language. It is a technology that is used to develop the back-end applications of a website with JavaScript. It is a cross-platform, open source, run-time environment that lets developers make server-side networking applications. Node JS apps are developed using JS.
They can be executed on Linux, Microsoft Windows and OS X using the Node Js runtime.
Node Js is an open source, run time environment. Google Chrome’s V8 JS engine is powered by Node Js. It allows developers to run JavaScript code outside the chrome browser too. Node js is light and because it utilizes a non-blocking, event driven I/O model. It is used to host HTTP requests, APIs, access the databases by developers.
Node Js is backed up by a large library of JavaScript modules which provides additional features and also makes it easier to craft web applications with it. Node further boosts the functionalities of Node Js.It aids in integrating programming languages with third party libraries, other languages and APIs (Application Programming Interface).
It is specifically used for web development in ‘JavaScript everywhere’ model where it handles both client-side programming and server-side scripting.
Companies that are using Node.js:
Node JS is currently being used by many famous companies. Some of them are:
- Trello
- Uber
- Netflix
- Walmart
- PayPal
- GoDaddy
- NASA
- eBay
- Groupon
- Yahoo
- Medium
- Capital One
- Citibank
- Mozilla
The companies have chosen Node Js for its quick speed and light weight-tedness. It can easily manage heavy traffic with small start up time making it an ideal option for these companies.
Key Features of Node Js:
Let’s dig into the main features of Node Js one by one:
- Scalability: Node Js provides good scalability i.e. ability to handle enhanced traffic with optimal performance in both horizontal and vertical way. Vertical scaling refers to adding resources to a node such as memory. Horizontal scaling refrs to adding more nodes to reduce load on single node.
- Open-source: Node Js is a free and an open-source, cross platform run time environment.
3. No Buffering: Node Js applications do not buffer data.
- Improved Performance: Node Js allow developers to perform smooth, non-blocking functions, which improve web app performance.
- Unit testing: Node Js has individual unit testing termed Jasmine. It lets quickly test ready codes.
- Server development: Node Js has in-built (application programming interface) APIs. Thus, it lets developers to compose different servers like TCP server, DNS servers, HTTP server etc.
4. Inter-platform Compatibility: Node Js allows flexibility and compatible with various numbers of platforms such as Mac OS X, UNIX, Windows, Linux, and mobile devices. It can be used in pairs with the suitable package to produce a self-sufficient executable.
5. Uses JavaScript: Most of the programming engineers are familiar with JavaScript. That is a plus point of Node Js library. Because workers who are already accustomed with JavaScript find it very easy to work with Node Js.
- Faster Data Stream: With heavy traffic websites data is delivered through multiple streams, processing them takes a long time. Node Js executes data at a fast speed. It simultaneously uploads and processes a file, thus considerably saves time. Like in YouTube when you run a video, it starts loading and playing at the same time, improving overall speed.
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What is React.js?
React.js is a front-end, open- library to build up friendly user interfaces for web applications and web pages in a structured way. The aim is to develop a node that creates a high-performance dynamic library. As an example, this node is used to display newsfeed in chat rooms or news bulletin while people are chatting. The alternatives of react Js are Vue.js and Angular.
React Js is a JavaScript library which is developed by Facebook. It is made to create dynamic and interactive user applications, enhancing the ability of UI/UX for web and mobile applications. React Js also operates as a component based, open-source, front-end library. It is made to develop user interface design and initiates code debugging by using a component-basedapproach.
Who uses React.js?
Developed by Facebook, React Js is mainly used by content-based websites like:
- The New York Times
- Dropbox
- Codeacademy
- GeekyAnts
- BBC
- Cloudflare
- Atlassian
- WebClues infotech
- Airbnb
- Bacancy
- Yahoo! mail
- Netflix uses React Js for their Gibbon platform.
Main Features of React Js:
The key elements of React Js are:
-
Ease of Maintenance:
React Js is an open source library that re-uses system components to solve issues related to React updates.
-
High Performance:
The core of the React uses a Virtual DOM (document object model)program and server side support, which enhances app performance by making complex apps run very fast.
3. Virtual DOM:
DOM refers to Document Object Model. It is the crucial part of the web which categorizes into modules and run the code. Normally, JavaScript works in a way that updates the entire DOM when commanded, which drives the whole web application very slow.
On the contrary, React uses virtual DOM (a copy of DOM) in place of real DOM. So, when a modification command id issued, it updates the virtual DOM first and finds the difference between real DOM and Virtual DOM.
- Code stability: React Js uses a downward data flow way, which ensures that the parent structure is preserved even when modifications are made to it. In this way only the intended component is changed keeping the rest intact, thus enhancing code stability.
- React Developer tools: Debugging and design tools are provided to developers by React Js, ensuring high performance.
- Extension: React has numerous extensions that can be used to craft well developed user interface applications. It facilitates the development of mobile applications and assists in server-side rendering. Various React extensions are Redux, React Native, flux etc. that are used to make elegant user interfaces.
4. Components of React:
React Js categorizes the web pages into various components as it is component-based. Each single component is the part of the original UI design consisting of its own design logic and design. So, separately taken, JS written component logic makes the process smoother and run faster and is reusable.
5. Simplicity of Js:
As mentioned above, React Js is a component-based flow work which makes the code reusable. React Js works by using JSX (JavaScript XML) which is a combination of HTML (hypertext markup language) and JavaScript. This makes it easy to understand, add and write HTML in react. It also lessens the amount of code and makes it easy to debug.
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Final Words:
While creating a server related web application node Js. is the recommended platform. For example, for online streaming. When you want to create an interactive and creative UI, using inputs, buttons, React.js is a better option.
Both platforms can also be used in combination to make a single project as well. The Node.js will be used to make the backend and React.js will be employed to generate the front-end part UI. Netflix is the best example of both frameworks’ integration.