An object-oriented programming language, Java is a popular option in the development ecosystem for high-quality web and app development. The other leading choice of tool for enterprise web app development is Node.js — an open-source JavaScript runtime environment. This one can run on a variety of platforms and also enables the development of cross-platform solutions. Now that we have had our brief introduction with the two of the most popular tools for creating enterprise web apps, let us look at their pros and cons.
Java
Pros:
- Offers extensive code libraries to accelerate the development
- Java’s IDEs offer high-quality monitoring and debugging solutions
- Comes with an in-built unit testing feature
Cons:
- Not as fast as other programming languages
- Not suited for complex development projects
Node.js
Pros:
- Comes loaded with libraries and frameworks that ease the development process
- Allows code to be recycled and reused
- It offers functional reactive programming
Cons:
- Lack of ample IDE support
- Doesn’t have as many features as Java
Now, suppose you will choose between Java and Node.js for your enterprise app development project. In that case, it is not enough to know the basics of these two. So, we also put together a quick comparison between them to help you make an informed choice.
- Speed: While Java can process requests in both blocking and non-blocking manner, it is still not quite as fast as Node.js, which processes such requests exclusively via the non-blocking method. Since it can tend to multiple requests at the same time, it makes Node.js much faster than Java. So, if you are looking to build an app that needs to handle many requests at a breakneck speed, Node.js is the one for you. Otherwise, Java would suffice too.
- Maintenance: Of course, the maintainability of code is and always should be a key consideration. With Java, this is not a problem at all, mainly since it is celebrated worldwide for the ease of maintenance of its code. Then there are also the IDEs and debugging solutions, which further make the process easier. Node.js too fares decently in this department.
- Security: Java seems to have the edge over Node.js in this regard, thanks to the fact that it comes loaded with plenty of features that seek to ensure top security levels for enterprise web apps. This includes SSL, two-factor authentication, etc. With Node.js, you get fair security levels thanks to tailored security strategies and specialized modules.
We understand that the choice may still seem a little difficult, so here’s a word of advice: Decide if you need the services of a Java software development company or one for Node.js based on your company’s unique requirements. Understand these needs, see which one is better suited to fulfill them, and then you will have your answer.