Go Vs Node.js

For those who are new to JavaScript, it can be challenging to decide between NodeJS and Golang because both are relatively similar languages that offer similar features. However, some key differences will impact your decision-making process when deciding which language best fits your needs!?

The major differences between Node.js and GoLang(Go) that you should consider when deciding which one to use to build your web applications or back-end servers.

1) Creating Web Apps

Node.js and Google’s Go language are similar in some ways but come from very different backgrounds. Node is often used to build real-time apps with server-side processing, while Go excels at building efficient network services that run on low-power devices, like micro-controllers and smartphones, or act as part of cloud computing infrastructures.

In other words, if you want to focus more on front-end web development, go with JavaScript Or if you’re planning a back-end service or something for a micro-controller environment, look into Go.

2) Error Handling

In Node, errors are handled using try-catch blocks, making them easier to debug and handle appropriately, which also allows you to easily create custom error messages for end-users depending on your specific use case scenarios.

On the other hand, in Go, a special panic/recovery mechanism exists that can deal with unexpected situations during runtime by allowing you to trap those errors from happening to prevent crashes from happening later down your code path.

3) Stability

It’s true that Node and Go both allow users to quickly begin building applications, but where they differ is in their stability.

Node has a quick learning curve and was designed with rapid prototyping in mind, meaning it can be easier to go from hello world to creating a production-ready application than it would be with other languages. It means beginners will have an easier time picking up Node than they would have to pick up another language, like Go.

4) Performance

Both Node.js and Golang are simple programming languages that make it easy to set up your web servers to perform well under high loads. Both Golang and Node.js are capable of handling tens of thousands of requests per second when tuned properly, so in terms of raw performance, you can’t go wrong with either one.

Final Take

In general, Node.js is a great language for building networked apps, primarily because of its easy-to-use API and extensive third-party library support. If you want your next application to be able to perform complex processing tasks (CPU/RAM intensive) or interact with external devices, then Node.js would probably be the better choice than GO.

On the other hand, If you’re developing complex networked services that require high concurrency and data-intensive processing capabilities, then Go is likely your best bet.

If you are still unsure which one to choose, you can take the help of this fantastic blog on Go Vs. Node.Js that has mentioned almost everything to make the decision easier for you.