Technical Perspectives

Why Some Developers Prefer Node.js & ReactJS for Application Development

Written by Prem Khatri Posted by Carolina

Prem Khatri

In today's highly competitive technical environment, businesses are seeking ways to engage customers on the devices they use the most to gain an edge over the competition. Depending on the needs of the application, many developers prefer using JavaScript runtime environments such as Node.js in conjunction with ReactJS to create the high-performing applications businesses need.

What is Node JS and Why Node JS needed?

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that is built on Google Chrome's JavaScript Engine. Node.js is used for developing fast, scalable server-side and network applications. Applications are written in JavaScript and operate seamlessly in the Node.js runtime environment on Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Most developers are familiar with JavaScript and the many variations available, even if they do not actively use them on current projects. Although competitors such as Ruby, Python and Perl have entered as potential alternative programming languages to JavaScript. JavaScript, however, remains the go-to programming language for many developers because of its versatility.

By using Node.js as a runtime environment for the backend of a web application, JavaScript becomes the primary language for the entire web stack for development purpose. By maintaining a single language type for development, programmers reduce the need for code duplication between the browser and server to a minimum, simplifying the development process and the time needed for development.

Node.js possesses many attractive features, including a library rich in JavaScript modules, as well as an event-driven and asynchronous model that makes Node.js light and efficient, which is optimal for data intensive real-time applications that need to run flawlessly on different devices. Plus, the Node.js library allows for fast code execution because it is built on Google Chrome's V8 JavaScript Engine.

What is React JS?

Developers will often opt to use ReactJS in combination with Node.js to build reusable user interface (UI) components. React is an open-source JavaScript library and it is often used as the V in MVC because it uses a JavaScript virtual DOM, which is faster than an ordinary DOM. This allows for a simpler programming model that offers better performance. Additionally, despite being designed to be used in a browser, React is also able to be rendered in a server using Node.js. ReactJS's data and component patterns also help maintain large applications and improve readability across devices.

Node.js uses a single threaded model combined with event looping that makes for a highly scalable server different from traditional servers like the Apache HTTP Server which create limited threads to handle a large number of requests. This single threaded model also prevents the server from responding in a non-blocking manner, since there are practically no functions in Node.js that directly perform I/O. Additionally, because they output the data in bulks, applications created with Node.js do not suffer from buffering.

Businesses looking to develop their own fast-running applications will benefit from a tag-team combination of Node.js and ReactJS. Not only will they enjoy having thousands of previously built, open-source libraries for Node.js, but they will also enjoy the efficiency of its simplified model plus the support from the Node.js and ReactJS developer community.

For more information on Node.js and ReactJS development, visit chetu.com/Node.js

Founded in 2000, Chetu is a global provider of app programming services and support services. Chetu's specialized technology and industry experts serve startups, SMBs, and Fortune 500 companies with an unparalleled software delivery model suited to the needs of the client. Chetu's one-stop-shop model spans the entire software technology spectrum. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Chetu has fourteen locations throughout the U.S. and abroad.