AngularJS v/s Node.js – Which is the best JavaScript based technology?
Tags: angular, node, javascript, webdev
Published: 2022-03-02 09:09:59

JavaScript has grown from being a simple client-side scripting language to a very powerful programming language framework over the years. AngularJS and Node.js are both widely used open-source JavaScript-based technologies. Node.js is a cross-platform runtime library and environment to execute JavaScript code outside the browser, whereas AngularJS is a simple open-source application development JavaScript framework. Node.js is a free open source tool that helps developers to build scalable server-side applications by using JavaScript. On the other hand, AngularJS allows developers to create dynamic web applications based on [model-view-controller](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/the-model-view-controller-pattern-mvc-architecture-and-frameworks-explained/) (MVC) architectural patterns and use HTML as a template language. They both have different architecture, functionality, usage, and performance.

## Comparison between AngularJS and Node.js

**Core Architecture**

AngularJS is an open-source JavaScript-based front-end development technology best suited for developing dynamic applications, developed and maintained by Google. Angular is entirely written in JavaScript. It also follows the JavaScript syntax rule.

Node.js is a cross-platform runtime environment that runs on Google's V8 JavaScript engine and performs the code out of the browser. It is written in several programming languages like C, C++, and JavaScript.

**Framework**

Based on [Stack Overflow](https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2021#most-popular-technologies-webframe-prof) data, AngularJS is one of the most popular web frameworks. With the help of a framework, developers can automate the common development process while developing different types of projects like websites, web applications, and many more.

On the other hand, programmers cannot use Node.js as a web framework. But they can choose from a wide range of Node.js-based frameworks like Hapi.js, Socket.io,Express.js, Meteor.js, and Sails.js to develop in Node.js.

**Installation on Various Platforms**

Programmers and developers are not required to install AngularJS on their systems. Instead, they only need to embed the AngularJS files in the codebase, just like any other JavaScript file.

On the other hand, while developers can write Node.js applications in JavaScript, those applications need a runtime environment such as Windows, Linux, or macOS. Therefore developers need to install Node.js on their system while creating the development environment.

**Usage**

[AngularJS](https://dev.to/umeshsaha1/what-is-new-in-angular-8-0-introduction-features-advantages-7dl) is the most popular JavaScript framework. The web framework makes it easier for programmers to write interactive and real-time applications. Best suited for single-page and client-side web applications.

On the other hand, Node.js is used widely for developing smaller projects. Suitable for building fast, scalable, server-side, and networking applications. Best for video streaming sites and I/O intensive web apps.

**Features**

Both Node.js and AngularJS technologies support MVC architectural patterns. But each JavaScript-based technologies come with different sets of features.

AngularJS uses HTML as a template language. It also simplifies the development process of single-page and dynamic web applications by offering features like data binding, scope, directives, filters, templates, routing, deep linking, and dependency injection.

On the other hand, Node.js helps developers employ API and single-threaded event mechanisms. The developers can even use Node.js to create web applications that deliver data without buffering.

**Data Binding**

In addition to executing MVC architectural patterns differently, AngularJS further supports two-way data binding. That helps synchronize data automatically between a web application’s model and view components. But AngularJS cannot support database queries writing features.

On the other hand, Node.js allows JavaScript-generated database queries. Hence, it helps the programmers easily create database queries for non-relational databases like CouchDB and MongoDB by confounding syntactical differences.

**Programming Languages and Paradigm Support:**

In addition to JavaScript, both technologies support several programming languages.

AngularJS supports Coffee Script, TypeScript, and Dart. It supports event-driven programming paradigms, functional, and object-oriented

At the same time, Node.js supports Ruby, Coffee Script, and TypeScript. It supports concurrency-oriented, functional, event-driven, object-oriented, and sub/pub programming paradigms.

## Reasons to Use Node.js for Your Project

If you want to design scalable, speedy, and interactive applications, Node.js is the best option over another backend technology. It offers several advantages like improved performance, faster development, and other benefits that ease the development process. The modern-day requirement for instant processing and delivering real-time information tends to be paramount. In this aspect, Node.js is immensely fast for real-time, multi-user data conditions that fulfill the modern-day requirements for delivering real-time information and instant proceeding.

## Reasons to Use AngularJS for Your Project

AngularJS is the most used framework for the development of dynamic web applications. One of the best reasons to choose angular is that it is backed by Google. Angular applications are developed using the TypeScript language, which ensures higher security. Angular Progressive Web Application (PWA) is a cost-effective solution that allows developers to build websites that act similar to mobile apps. PayPal, Microsoft office home, Forbes, and IBM are some websites developed using Angular.

## Wrapping up

In a nutshell, Node.js is a cross-platform runtime environment whereas AngularJS is a client-side framework. Both the JavaScript technologies are designed to build web applications using JavaScript. They are advanced, high-performing, and widely used frameworks for application development. But both the technologies have different purposes, so one should choose the best framework as per the project requirement.

**Author Bio**

Piyush Jain is the founder and CEO of [Simpalm](https://www.simpalm.com/washington-dc-mobile-app-development-company), a mobile app development company in Washington DC. Piyush founded Simpalm in 2009 and has grown it to be a leading mobile and web development company in the DMV area. With a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins and a strong background in technology and entrepreneurship, he understands how to solve problems using technology. Under his leadership, Simpalm has delivered 300+ mobile apps and web solutions to clients in startups, enterprises and the federal sector.