The Web Development field is quite diverse and ever-changing. Several web technologies come and go each year. Thus, the developers are always in a dilemma to use the right web development technology. Today, our focus on two powerful backend technologies- NodeJS vs PHP. Both these backend technologies can handle complex projects, but these are still built around different architecture and have different features. Let’s first have a look at What is NodeJS? And What is PHP?

Table of Contents

NodeJS vs PHP: Overview

What is NodeJS?

NodeJS is an open-source, cross-platform, and JavaScript-based runtime environment used for web development. The developer, Ryan Dahl, develop NodeJS. You will glad to know that NodeJS is written in C, C++, JavaScript. Node.js was released on May 27, 2009. NodeJS uses the event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. The top companies that use NodeJS development in their applications are Netflix, Paypal, Trello, Linkedin, Uber.

Features of NodeJS:

NodeJS is released under the MIT License.
NodeJS requires no buffering for data.
NodeJS is built on Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript Engine.
NodeJS is asynchronous and event-driven technology.
NodeJS is a cross-platform technology.
NodeJS is an object-oriented programming language.
NodeJS can be used as both backend and frontend as it is JavaScript based.
NodeJS offers two-way data binding.

What is PHP?

PHP is a Hypertext Preprocessor is an open-source scripting language extensively used for web development. PHP is developed by the company Zend Technologies and designed by the Canadian programmer, Rasmus Lerdorf. PHP is implemented using the C programming language and some components of C++. PHP was initially released in 1994. PHP is an open-source general-purpose scripting language, cross-platform language, and compatible with all the servers. The top companies that use PHP development in their applications are Facebook, Slack, Whatsapp.

Features of PHP:

PHP is an open-source scripting language.
PHP provides fast and efficient performance for web development.
PHP supports object-oriented programming features.
PHP is compatible with all platforms and servers.
PHP is highly flexible and can be integrated with HTML, XML, JavaScript, and other languages/technologies.
PHP provides error reporting and exceptions during runtime.
PHP has a large and active community of developers.
PHP is a loosely typed programming language.

NodeJS vs PHP: Popularity

Talking about the popularity of these two powerful backend technologies: NodeJS vs PHP, the SimilarTech Website reported that almost 5,889,933 websites are developed using PHP. However, the 167,404 websites are developed in NodeJS.

Moreover, you can check the trend of Nodejs vs PHP on Google Trends during the last month in the United States of America.

NodeJS vs PHP: Performance

The most important metric to find the best in NodeJS and PHP is to determine both these technologies’ performance. Comparing NodeJS and PHP’s performance, NodeJS is faster and provides an amazing performance than PHP due to the features like continuous server connection, call-back functions, that ensure the faster app delivery. However, PHP is reliable and stable in performance in terms of web development.

NodeJS vs PHP: Development

From the developers’ perspective, PHP is experienced as extremely quick for web development. The coding in PHP is very easy and simple as compared to NodeJS. There is no need for compilers and components in PHP web development. PHP allows easy connection to the SQL database. More interestingly, there are no hosting limitations in PHP. On the other hand, in NodeJS, the coding is quite difficult and complicated. It requires complex preparation and proper infrastructure for the deployment of frameworks and applications.

NodeJS vs PHP: Database

In Database Connectivity, PHP is quite well connected with the traditional/relational database like MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL. The plus of the PHP technology is that the core functions used in the database are independent of the engine used. PHP well perform with the MySQL database. Whereas, NodeJS has different libraries for accessing SQL databases like MongoDB, CouchDB, and graph database systems. Node.js uses the JSON to connect with other SQL databases.

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NodeJS vs PHP: Hosting

NodeJS support a less number of hosting servers than the PHP programming language. So, PHP has several numbers of hosting services, which makes it easy to integrate and deploy PHP than in Node js web development, which calls for a virtual server having SSH access for running applications. Therefore, PHP gots an additional point for having the wonderful hosting features as compared to Node.js development.

NodeJS vs PHP: Asynchronous or Synchronous

Both NodeJS and PHP are opposite in nature. Since NodeJS is asynchronous; however, PHP is synchronous. In PHP, there is no doubt it is synchronous, but some APIs that behave asynchronously. Whereas, NodeJS is asynchronous in nature, which means the JavaScript engine runs through the entire code in one go.

NodeJS vs PHP: Practical Application

Considering the practical examples and application of the NodeJS and PHP technology, Node.js can be used in many applications, including multithreaded apps, web applications, browsers, game servers, etc. On the other side, PHP is mostly used for web-oriented application development.

NodeJS vs PHP: Modules

In the Modules case, both the technologies NodeJS and PHP use different features and ways. PHP uses the technologies to install modules like PEAR(a veteran package system) and composer tools. In contrast, NodeJS is bundled with a package management system called NPM(Node Package Manager), and it is relatively easy to publish and use.

NodeJS vs PHP: Frameworks

Considering the point of frameworks in both technologies like NodeJS and PHP, then PHP has a huge number of frameworks that are very useful in the backend development of web applications. Here are some of the PHP frameworks like Laravel, Codeigniter, CakePHP, etc. In comparison, NodeJS is also stepping up into the world of frameworks. NodeJS frameworks are Express and full-stack MVC frameworks like Meteor and Derby.

NodeJS vs PHP: When to use

NodeJS is used for:

In technology stacks like MEAN stack
To develop single-page applications(SPAs)
Front end technologies(jQuery, Angular JS, Backbone.js)
Back end technologies(MongoDB, Express.js)

PHP is used for:

In technology stack like LAMP stack
In CMS’s like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla.
Servers like MySQL, SQL, MariaDB, Oracle.

NodeJS vs PHP: Benefits

Benefits of using NodeJS

NodeJS is easy to learn
NodeJS is used for fast backend solutions
NodeJS is more flexible and can be integrated with different technologies.
NodeJS provides the built-in server support
NodeJS allows the module caching.

Benefits of using PHP

PHP is easier to use and maintain the code automatically
PHP is a stable programming language as compared to other languages
PHP has an extensive and wide community support
PHP support all internet hosting services
PHP requires less code.

In Final Thoughts

It’s all about the two powerful backend technologies that are in great demand for web development. The expert web developers develop both these technologies, so these are getting popular with time. You can consider the pros and cons, features of both technologies before using them for web development. Also, If you are looking for PHP development services, and want to hire PHP developer of the company, Tekki Web Solutions Inc.