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Knowing what backend to choose is not always easy, which is why it is important to assess the performance of the two options you are considering so you can find the solution that makes the most sense for you. In this post, we are going to look at the most popular solutions for backend development: Node.js and Python.

Let’s understand the difference between both options in terms of their performance. Read on to find out more about the performance of both options so you can understand which one is right for you and your dev team.

The performance of Node.js

We will start off by taking a look at Node.js on the performance front. The speed associated with Node.js is exceptional because the JavaScript code has been put together by the V8 engine, which Google has heavily invested in.

In addition to this, Node.js will process the code outside of the browser, which means that fewer resources are used by the applications, contributing to performance improvement. It also gives you the ability to utilize technologies like TCP sockets, which are not available in browsers. As a consequence, the non-blocking, event-driven UI enables a number of requests to be processed concurrently, speeding up code execution.

On a final note regarding Node.js, it supports caching individual modules, which will significantly speed up app loading and enhance responsiveness.

The performance of Python

Python is both interpretive languages, which means that they are slower in comparison to the likes of Java and other compiled languages. Unlike Node.js, Python is a single-flow language, which means that requests are processed at quite a slow pace.

As a consequence, we would not say that Python is the perfect choice when working on a project whereby efficiency and speed are your top backend development priorities. Or, if you are working on a project that has a lot of demanding computations, Python probably is not going to be the right choice for you.

However, it is not all bad, and we must note that Python has made some considerable improvements in recent times. The newer versions of Python, i.e. v3.5 and up, have introduced asynchronicity, and so it should now offer much greater speed.

If you do want to use Python for expensive computation, it is possible to write the modules in C/C++. You will then be able to export them to Python. This is possible because both Python and Node.js are written in C. Learn more on Python vs Node.js comparison in this article.

Python vs Node.js – Performance Analysis

As you can see, there are some great performance options associated with both options. A Python and Javascript development company can help you to have the perfect setup for your requirements.

When it comes to backend development, it is important for you to carefully consider your end goals and what you intend to be using the platform for. And always ask advice to backend experts. By doing this, you will be able to determine whether Python or Node.js is going to be best for your backend development requirements.

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