Difference Between Node.js and Python

Table of Contents

A plethora of code languages, have made possible interaction between humans and Computers and are used for developing various software programs and websites. These programs make different types of operations faster and easier to conduct. Two such code languages are Node.js and Python.

Node.js vs Python

The main difference between Node.js and Python is that both are different types of programming languages and are used for different purposes. Python is a General-purpose programming Language while Node.js is a back-end open source programming language used to develop network applications.

Node.js is an open-source server environment and uses JavaScript to run the programs. It runs on various Operating Systems like Linux, Windows, Mac OS, etc. It is essentially used to make websites designed on Java Scripts more aesthetic and interactive and is also used to create network tools.

Python is an Object-Oriented high-level programming language. It is one of the most used programming languages which is used to create various computer and web programs, especially the complex ones due to its readability and its dynamic, functional, and procedural performance. It too runs on all the major Operating Systems including Linux/UNIX, Windows, Mac OS, etc.

Comparison Table Between Node.js and Python

Parameter of ComparisonNode.jsPython
Based onJavaScriptC
TypeOpen-Source EnvironmentGeneral Programming Language
Founded on20091989
Founded byRyan DahlGuido van Rossum
Current DevelopersOpen JS FoundationBarry Warsaw, Brett Cannon, Carol Willing, Thomas Wouters, and Pablo Galindo Salgado. They are called the Steering Council.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is essentially a free and open-source platform, and it runs on the V8 JavaScript engine (as denoted by “.js”, pointing to the concerned file). Also, it uses Asynchronous programming which is a form of input/output processing that permits other processing to continue before the transmission has finished. This is one of the major features of it.

Node.js can execute very efficiently with very few memory requirements, even for data-heavy applications. Node.js is especially liked by those who are looking for a way to expedite the development process for bigger applications. Node.js is used by many tech giants such as IBM, Microsoft, LinkedIn, SAP, etc.

Node.js replaces PHP, being used primarily for building network programs. This is because Node.js can execute programs all at the same time, while PHP executes commands one after the other. Still, many people want it if it wouldn’t have been made on Java Script.

Ryan Dahl, the author of Node.js, didn’t like the limitations on the web servers. They weren’t able to handle larger concurrent connections and sequences, and hence got blocked. That is when he introduced Node.js at the European JS Conference in 2009.

What is Python?

Python is a very popular programming language used for creating web and software applications, creating workflows, and read and edit files. The main reason for its popularity is that it is very easy to understand and is more similar to the human language (English).

Its key features are that its object-oriented, procedural, functional, and structured and it supports multiple paradigms. It executes as fast as the code has been written. Compared to other programming languages like C, C++, Java, etc. It is very short and hence is preferred over them.

Python is also an open-source software which makes it easy to access for any individual or any commercial purpose. Python is developed on C programming language and hence can use modules from C. This would also help in calling C library functions. Hence, extending Python through C or C++ is easy and can be used to do some operations directly.

Although, like most of the programming languages it also has problems like in indentation syntax bugs are hard to detect if you make the slightest accidental misalignment. This syntax also profoundly constrains your freedom to format your code as you like. This does limits python’s flexibility by a bit.

Main Differences Between Node.js and Python

  • Syntax. Node.js is built to handle asynchronous input-output. Python does have async. I/O features but In Python, you’ll find only limited pieces available in async. Flavors, but in Node.js, almost everything is async. Only.
  • Correction of problems. The Node package installer (NPM), is considered to be newer and better. It feels very polished and modern, while Python has to accumulate the garbage.
  • Complex Actions. Node.js is surely newer and has more threads but this doesn’t mean that Python can’t handle complex processes. Python can process complex mathematical operations.
  • Operation Procedure. In Python, code is executed just after the code line ends, which is a prime feature in contrast to Node.js which handles requests one after another.
  • Learning it. You can start learning Python from today, even if you don’t have any prior knowledge of computer languages. For Node.js, a pre-requisite knowledge of Java Script might help.
  • Conclusion

    Both Node.js and Python are exquisite programming languages. There is no such debate on what is better, both are great in themselves. And hence it depends on the use case and requirement of the programmer to choose one of them.

    Node.js is very much used nowadays due to its a-synchronized syntax and is faster and lighter. It is a widely used mini platform. It makes throughput and scalable web applications. It can read and modify files and can show required information to the user.

    Python, on the other hand, is a multi-paradigm, object-oriented programming language. It can be used to create both web and software applications. Though it is slower, it can handle big data and perform complex operations smoothly.

    And yes, I would advise you not to switch between Python and Node.js simultaneously, one for the back end and the other for the front end. It makes it difficult to remove syntax errors. Prefer one programming language, and save your time and effort.

    References

  • https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5617064/
  • https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7023652/
  • https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=M2D5nnYlmZoC&oi=fnd&pg=PT31&dq=python+for+web+development&ots=vZUJIudULO&sig=qoUfCxU5aSEDOtAF0woQ0KMhdf4#v=onepage&q=python%20for%20web%20development&f=false
  • ncG1vNJzZmiZo6Cur8XDop2fnaKau6SxjZympmeUnrOnsdGepZydXZeytcPEnqVmpp%2BZsm620maYp5xdpca1tM6nZg%3D%3D