Deciding between Nest JS vs Node JS can be tricky when creating server-side applications with JavaScript. Each of these tools offers its own advantages and capabilities, so figuring out which one is most suitable for your next project may feel intimidating. To make things easier, this blog post will provide an analysis of both Node JS and Nest JS to help you decide which technology works best for your specific requirements.
Node JS is a flexible and powerful JavaScript runtime engine based on Chrome’s V8, facilitating the creation of network applications with ease. In contrast, Nest JS is a framework that runs on Node JS and offers a suite of libraries and abstractions for developing server-side applications quickly and efficiently. It is built on Node JS and uses Express as its internal web framework by default.
In this guide, we’ll investigate the core differences between Nest JS and Node JS. We’ll take a look at the use cases for each option, talk about their popularities in the industry, examine community resources available to developers, as well as dive into other relevant factors. By the end of this post, you’ll have a full picture of all the benefits and drawbacks when it comes to both technologies, so picking one won’t be difficult.
Overviews of Nest JS and Node JS
Node JS is a runtime environment for executing JavaScript on the server side. Launched in 2009, it has since emerged as a favored option for constructing server-side applications. Its popularity can be attributed to being constructed on Google’s V8 JavaScript engine, known for its speed and efficiency, enabling fast code execution.
Nest JS is a framework for building server-side applications with Node JS. It was initially released in 2017 and has since gained a strong following among developers. Nest JS is built on top of the popular Express.js framework and uses TypeScript, a typed superset of JavaScript, as its primary programming language.
Differences between Nest JS and Node JS
Architecture
Nest JS stands out from other Node JS frameworks due to its modular architecture. Rather than having to write lengthy code, you can import and use a list of pre-built libraries in your application. This makes the development process much more efficient by allowing for scalability and consistent maintenance of the source code. By using Nest JS’s components, you can efficiently build your app with quality modules that have already been tested.
Node JS does not follow a specific architecture, as it is primarily a runtime environment rather than a framework. While it does not have a set architecture like Nest JS, it does provide several core modules that can be used to build a wide range of applications. These core modules include support for networking, file systems, and more. You can also extend your Node JS app with third-party modules to add additional functionalities.
Language Support
Another fundamental difference between Nest JS and Node JS lies in the programming languages they support. When you use Nest, TypeScript is your only option. TypeScript enables you to write more maintainable code by catching errors at compile time.
Conversely, Node is used with JavaScript by default; however, it is straightforward to add TypeScript to Node JS projects. You can freely choose JavaScript or TypeScript, depending on your preferences.
Applications
In terms of the purpose they serve, Nest JS is frequently used for developing web applications, while Node JS can be employed to construct a wide variety of server-side applications.
Pros & Cons
Nest JS is a great choice for you to quickly create and deploy reliable back-end web applications. Its powerful abstractions and libraries make it easier to jump in with minimal setup, while also benefiting from a scalable architecture. However, it may have a steeper learning curve if you are unfamiliar with TypeScript and the modular design it uses.
Unlike Nest JS, Node JS is more popular and has a substantial developer community, which makes it much easier to find resources and support. However, because it does not follow an established architecture like Nest JS, you may need to spend more time designing the structure of your application so that it can scale up and be managed efficiently.
Overall, Nest JS and Node JS both have strengths and weaknesses. Selecting the right one for your project depends on its specific goals and requirements.
Use cases for Nest JS vs Node JS
Both Nest JS and Node JS are great options for constructing back-end applications, yet each one is designed to fulfill its own specific purpose.
Nest JS is the perfect solution for developers looking to create powerful and maintainable web applications at scale. Its modular design and adoption of TypeScript make it a suitable choice for projects demanding a high level of reliability and maintainability. Nest JS also provides various tools and libraries for testing and troubleshooting purposes, which is perfect for large, complex projects.
In contrast, Node JS is a more general-purpose environment and is well-suited for a wide range of tasks, especially non-blocking, event-driven applications. Its lightweight and efficient runtime make it a good choice for building high-performance apps, and its large developer community means that there are many resources and libraries available for use.
When it comes to developing server-side applications, Nest JS and Node JS are both popular selections. Still, the best choice for your project will depend on its specific requirements. If you need a scalable and maintainable solution for crafting enterprise-level applications, then Nest JS may be perfect for you. Conversely, if you are seeking to build high-performance applications with a focus on lightweightness, then NodeJS should be a top consideration.
Popularity & Adoption
It’s no surprise that both Node JS and Nest JS are some of the most popular technologies in the industry. According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey for 2022, nearly half (47%) of surveyed developers use Node JS as their runtime environment—making it a clear favorite amongst its peers.
While not as widely used, Nest is quickly growing in popularity thanks to its modular architecture and support for TypeScript. Developers who have tried it highly recommend it due to these features, making Nest an invaluable tool for modern web development projects.
Both Nest JS and Node JS have proven successful for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. Node JS’ capabilities in the cloud computing industry are particularly noteworthy – many popular cloud providers offer it as a runtime environment for serverless apps.
On the other hand, Nest JS has become an invaluable asset for businesses in areas such as finance and healthcare due to its highly modular architecture and emphasis on dependability through testing.
Community
Both Nest JS and Node JS have large and active developer communities, with a wide range of resources and support available for developers.
Node JS possesses an expansive, well-established developer community with superb resources and guidance available online. Additionally, developers can attend several Node JS conferences and meetups, as well as interact within online communities and forums to ask questions and get help from fellow programmers. The Node JS Foundation, which maintains the core runtime, is actively involved in the community and provides support and valuable resources for developers.
The Nest JS developer community is smaller than the Node JS community. However, it is continuously expanding, providing plenty of helpful tools and documentation. On top of that, developers have the chance to attend diverse conferences or meetups specializing in this topic as well as join online communities and forums where they can find assistance from both peers and Nest JS experts. The Nest JS team is also actively involved in the community and provides support and resources for developers.
So, both Nest JS and Node JS provide developers with an expansive list of useful resources, including a robust community for assistance when needed. This makes it easy for programmers to access adequate support in order to achieve success.
Nest JS vs Node JS: Conclusion
In this post, we examined and contrasted Nest JS against Node JS. We evaluated their architectures, programming language support, goals, advantages and disadvantages, along with the use cases for each framework. Furthermore, we investigated the popularity of both frameworks in the industry as well as their respective resources and help available to developers.
Ultimately, the choice between Nest JS and Node JS depends on your personal preferences and the requirements of your project. If you are looking for a robust framework to build reliable enterprise-level applications, such as those in the banking and medical industries, then NestJS will suit you perfectly. In contrast, Node JS is a more general-purpose runtime environment that is well-suited for a wide range of projects and is particularly popular in the cloud computing industry.
If you are searching for a reliable, maintainable solution to create enterprise-level applications, Nest JS may be the right option. On the other hand, Node JS is an optimal choice if you require an efficient runtime that can develop high-performance solutions. Both of these frameworks have robust and active communities with plenty of guidance and resources available; no matter which one you pick, your developer experience will be exceptional.