Java-Spring or JavaScript-Node.js?

Spring Framework for Java has been around past 15 years since its initial release.

Most of the web developers prefer spring to build enterprise level web apps.

But since last 3-4 years the Javascript has become more popular not only in the client-side development(Angular and React) but also towards the server-side development, thanks to nodejs.

Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of both Spring and NodeJS to decide which should be suitable for future web development.

Spring Framework

The Spring Framework provides a comprehensive programming and configuration model for modern Java-based enterprise applications

Pro’s:

• Open Source
• Enterprise level
• Great Community
• Better IDE (IntelliJ and Eclipse), easier to debug
• Lot of Libraries
• Security
• Lightweight with End-to-End Development
• Spring Boot for REST API development
• Use different modules
  • Spring core.(Base module)
  • Spring JDBC(for persistence logic)
  • Spring AOP(for cross context logic)
  • Spring Transaction(For transaction support)
  • Spring ORM.
  • Spring MVC(Web aspect)

Con’s

• Steeper learning curve
• takes longer to develop
• Dependency issues
• XML configurations
• Testing is not easy.
• Keeps changing over time
• Not easy to troubleshoot
• not much comprehensively exposed via Logs.

Also Check: Web Development Trends in 2018 and for future!

Node.js

Node.js is a platform built on Chrome’s JavaScript runtime(V8 engine) for easily building fast, scalable network applications.

Pro’s

• Simple and Easy
• Currently best for REST API development
• Less code to maintain
• Newer compared to spring and others in the market
• Testing is easy with Mocha/Chai
• Backed by npm, the build management tool compared to maven and gradle.
• non-blocking I/O model.
• good with sync and async issues
• NoSql integration is easy

Con’s

• Lack of Libraries
• Unstable API
• Not suitable for large and complex web apps
• SQL integration can be pain
• More Development time

To conclude I think still Spring is still more suitable when it comes to enterprise level large web applications but when it comes to build powerful REST APIs, node.js has the edge and certainly the future.

Also check:

Creating and deploying a Serverless REST API with AWS Lambda, DynamoDB and API Gateway and node.js

Asynchronous call to a REST API using Node.js and using the Promises.