PHP vs. Node.js: Choose the Right Backend Technology for Your Project?
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Akshay Dhande
11 May, Wed
Content

Introduction
Web development is a diversified and ever-changing field. There are chances where developers get confused between the long-term and mature solutions. These days back-end programmers are in continuous doubt to pick the most appropriate language between PHP and Node.js. Â
Earlier, JavaScript was used for designing front-end applications. That didn’t overlap with PHP, as PHP is used for server-side applications. The two languages result in an amazing website. The situation started changing when Node.js came into the picture. Node.js set foot into a server-side, which diverted back-end programmers away from traditional PHP.Â
Both PHP and Node.js can deal with any of the complexity. However, they are built around different concepts and architecture. Therefore, choosing between these two for web development can be a daunting situation.Â
PHP Overview
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a open-source server-side programming language that has been used to create static & dynamic websites and also CPU-bound applications. It carries a .php extension and uses a combination of CSS, HTML, plain text and JavaScript. It is chosen to be the first language among various other scripting languages. It is still popular among web developers. The PHP programming language is used to create scalable, dynamic, and high-level web applications in conjunction with a web server.Â
Node.js Overview
Node.js is a server-side JavaScript programming language. It is used to make dynamic and interactive websites. Known to have an event-driven architecture with non-blocking I/O capabilities and thus this makes it ideal for developing I/O intensive web applications, single-page applications and other real-time web applications like chat and video streaming apps. Node.js file has a .js extension and uses only pure JavaScript code. Some famous Node.js users are GoDaddy, Wallmart, Netflix, IBM, LinkedIn, etc. Â
PHP and Node.js are both server-side programming languages, despite their differences. So please stick with us to find differences and similarities between the two.Â
1. Synchronous and AsynchronousÂ
Synchronous code runs line by line means the next line is executed only after the current line has been executed, while Asynchronous code runs simultaneously.Â
PHP- PHP is synchronous. However, a few of APIs are remained asynchronous. It means lines of code must wait for their execution time and be executed only when the previous function is executed. The process allows users to wait because of the slower execution. Â
Node.js- Node.js is asynchronous, which means the JavaScript engine runs all the code in one go and does not for the function to return.Â
2. MODULESÂ
PHP- It installs modules using PEAR, a framework and distribution method for reusable PHP components. It also uses Composer, which is a tool for dependency management in PHP.Â
Node.js is held with a package management system called NPM (Node Package Management) and an easy-to-use and published registry.Â
3. FRAMEWORKSÂ
PHP- Php is a server-side scripting language and thus, it provides various frameworks like Laravel, CodeIgniter and Cakephp. This helps in simple back-end developments and supports the development of flexible, powerful and secure web applications.Â
Node.js- Node.js has popular frameworks like Express, Meteor and Derby. In addition, new frames have come like koa.js, Hapi, total.js, sails.js, etc. Â
4. DATABASEÂ
PHP-Â PHP works with traditional/relational databases like MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and others.Â
Node.js- Node.js uses NoSQL(Not just SQL) such as MongoDB, CouchDB and graphical databases like Neo4j. It can also work with MySQL but not more perfectly as MongoDB. Â
5. EVOLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTÂ
PHP- PHP is the language that keeps track of updates and development. PHP programmers are constantly coming up with new ideas and features to improve the speed of execution.Â
Node.js- Node.js combines all of today's features into a single distribution with no fragmentation. Node.js is also undergoing continuous development. Â
Advantages Of PHP
PHP frameworks are commonly used to make web application development easier and to automatically maintain the code.Â
Stability:Â In comparison to other programming languages, PHP is also quite stable.Â
Designed for the Web: it easy for developers to work on developing the PHP web-based apps.Â
Light Weight Scripting LanguageÂ
Portable Solution (Works On any Web Server)Â
Easy to Deploy (On Click Deployment)Â
Advantages Of Node.js
More FlexibleÂ
Fast back-end solutionÂ
Asynchronous and Event-BasedÂ
Gives you a large set of ModulesÂ
Best for Front-End Apps (Optimized)Â
JSON Based (MongoDB, PostgreSQL)Â
Allows you to create Full Advanced AppsÂ
Express Server, Advanced Request HandlingÂ
When to use PHP?
A blog or e-commerce website with CMS.Â
It's a wonderful match for the LAMP stack (Linux Apache, MySQL, PHP).Â
Ease of deployment and integration Â
When you don't need to contact with the server on a regular basisÂ
When to use Node.js?
Dynamic single-page applications (SPAs)Â
Angular, JQuery, React, Angular, and other frontend technologiesÂ
MEAN stacks are examples of software stacks (Angular, MongoDB, etc.)Â
Build real-time applications such as instant messengers.Â
When we need continuous interaction with the server like a chat application
Conclusion
Both the languages have their good and bad parts. To make the right choice between them, you need to leverage the knowledge of the architectures and ecosystems of both environments. Choosing between Node.js and PHP, for example, is entirely dependent on the project needs, development speed, and sort of application you want to build.Â
Furthermore, the developer's talents and knowledge in using the technology and applying it to the project should be considered. Instance IT Solutions, a growing IT firm works on both the languages and provide the best solutions which meet customer’s requirements.Â
Web development is a diversified and ever-changing field. There are chances where developers get confused between the long-term and mature solutions. These days back-end programmers are in continuous doubt to pick the most appropriate language between PHP and Node.js. Â
Earlier, JavaScript was used for designing front-end applications. That didn’t overlap with PHP, as PHP is used for server-side applications. The two languages result in an amazing website. The situation started changing when Node.js came into the picture. Node.js set foot into a server-side, which diverted back-end programmers away from traditional PHP.Â
Both PHP and Node.js can deal with any of the complexity. However, they are built around different concepts and architecture. Therefore, choosing between these two for web development can be a daunting situation.Â
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