Agriya software development

The famous Node.js used for server-side and networking applications is an open source and a cross-platform, run-time environment. With its application written in JavaScript, the Node.js development services have been, of late, become highly sought after.

Ruby on Rails, on the contrary, is a web application framework. This model-view-controller framework offers default structures for a web service, web pages, and database. All that that, many a times, a question being asked is, which to use! Comparison of the two is also sought. So here we do it. Read on...

Frankly, they are poles apart

Node.js is not a framework. It is also not a new language. As mentioned above, it is an application runtime environment. Simply put, it enables writing server-side applications in JavaScript. Node has got low-level routing. Contrary to Node, Rails is an opinionated framework. As known to many, it is written in Ruby language.

Development speed

With regard to speed of development, Ruby on Rails scores well. A CRUD application with database migrations can be developed with the use of only a few commands through the command line using generators. However, a Node.js developer, building a web application, gets to find the modules and include them. Since there is a practical need for downloading a module, Node.js takes a good amount of time.

Learning curve

It isn't difficult to learn Rails. The main reason being that the availability of umpteen tutorials and courses. However, during the course of learning, it is important to understand things such as arrays, classes, objects, variables, models and Ruby level methods. Coming to the learning aspect of Node.js, the learning curve is very much less than Ruby on Rails. What sets Node apart is that it is not only the developers having a C or Java background have accessibility, but even the front-end developers can easily pick up.

Rails: a complete package

Models, views, controllers and data object models make Rails a complete ecosystem. They even come with clear interactions with OCD vertical integration. But in the case of Node.js, it needs a really heavy module interaction. Importantly, in Ruby on Rails, there is no such need of worrying with regard to data models.

Make and improve Ruby on Rails modules

Though Node has best start with NPM, it is the Ruby on Rails that has got highly robust sources for tools and also libraries. The Ruby Toolbox demonstrates the relative popularity of Ruby on Rails. As said, many of the modules that are ought to be selected in Node.js are integrated in Rails by default.

Conclusion

Having made it clear in the first point, it would only be odd to say that Node.js is best or Ruby on Rails is best. The developers choice is what that really holds water.

Programmers prefer a framework to develop an application or website for several reasons such as simplicity of usage, demands of the task assigned, and reliability. Node.js falls in the list of such frameworks which a developer chooses to build complex applications. It is a programme widely accepted by multi-national business giants to run their web applications. Node.js, being an extensively used platform has received many favorable as well as unfavorable remarks. Most of the times, developers who switched to Node.js, having elemental knowledge in similar programs, stumble upon several errors. Article refers certain errors a novice Node.js developers commits.

Event loop blocking

Since Node.js program is made to support complex applications, event loop happens to be a most important function. Any function written to the code which blocks the event loop will bring a wait signal to all the customers, or clients connected to the server.  The program works on single thread; hence a Node.js developer should defer loops that hinder the event loop to an independent worker or queue. The problem occurs with cases such as when a developer parses functions having heavy payload with JSON. parse(), syntax highlighting done to the backend files using highlight.js, and the one-time parsing of massive files. All these are common errors in coding that lead to the blocking of an event loop. A developer can identify the error in coding which hinders the smooth working of an event loop by tracking the time delay. ‘Blocked’ is a proprietary open source module used to detect time delay between the functions called inside a loop. Delay occurs in the event loop should be correctly identified to spot anomalies in coding.


Triggering a call back() many times

Developers often execute a call back function twice on the process of running an application. They ignore to return a function after the instant execution. Many events in an application are triggered by passing functions as references. These references act as call backs. Call back is the only way in Node.js to make the asynchronous elements work properly. A function, in Node.js coding is added as a last argument while executing asynchronous tasks. Hence, executing a callback() many times without returning the values of first called  function completely will result in a crash while dealing with Node.js . A temporary option to avoid this error is the inclusion of a return keyword ahead of executing callback functions.


Callback Hell

Call back Hell is a problem not solely associated to Node.js. It is one of the common issues which all complex frameworks have to deal with. According to the complex nature of applications, developers add nested callbacks leading to a scenario which makes things difficult to read.  Maintaining of codes will be hard at this time. One of the finest options to solve this is the writing of simple functions and a proper linking of them all. To a large extent, a Node.js developer can depend on packages like Async.js, Promises, and Generators to lessen errors occur with Callback hell. Following of these modules will help programmers a lot in maintaining the codes neat and tidy.


Unawareness of development tools

Any modifications done to the source code of Node.js should be followed by a restart. Together with it, developers have a tendency to refresh the browser while static codes change leading to a slowdown in the performance of applications. There are certain modules like nodemon and forever that will help the developers to restart the server with the change of files, automatically. Similar to nodemon, livereload is another tool which aids you to refresh the browser timely after the change in static codes.

Omitting the mandatory ‘testing’ and ‘Monitoring’

Node.js never considers an application, if any tests are not included at the end of the codes. Plenty of tools are available for doing the mandatory application checking in this framework. Mocha, Jasmine, and tape are a few among them. Like testing of applications, monitoring stands as an important process to sort out event loop delay, memory usage so on. New Relic and App Dynamics are reliable tools to help programmers in the monitoring of codes. Manual coding in Node.js calls for these mandatory additions to programming.

Conclusion

Node.js is a framework developed for creating complex applications by means of simple and neat coding. Programmers who come to Node from other platforms mix it up by writing hefty codes that are hard to read and execute. Node.js coding is extremely refined and modern to support most of the high level functions. Above mentioned heads are common mistakes that a new programmer commits while working in the original Node.js platform. To create stable and reliable software, a Node.js programmer should avoid these errors during the time of writing codes.

In the recent past, Node.js has emerged as a popular runtime environment, with its applications written in Javascript. When it comes to hiring talented node.js developer, it poses a challenge to companies, given the fact that it is a new technology and it is hard to get a candidate with exceptional skills. However, paying attention some of the technical concepts, which the candidate needs to possess, and hiring talent on that basis will make the task easier.

Must skills for Node.js developer

Make sure that the developer possesses a spectrum of knowledge. It is important that the developer has the ability to involve in operations. In the event of server crash, the developer has to easily handle. The domain should be used.

It is a challenge to scale node.js applications across servers. This is one area where exceptional knowledge is required. How to use load balancer is a necessary skill. Also, being an open source, security risks are present. To tackle, familiarity with server-side injection is important for developers. Knowledge of how to code-smith is certainly a need.

Experience and awareness of socket.io library is something you have to check for, because, websockets help create real-time applications like chat and even games.

The developer has to be in a position to write smaller and reusable codes. Expertise in modules like Async, Express and connect proves to be an added advantage. Connecting to active Node.js community, peer-coding utilizing GitHub is a must for a candidate. Checking on the candidates' contributions in GitHub will go a long way in hiring the right candidate.

The level of understanding of event-driven programming is imperative. Application flow control in event-driven programming is helpful.

The Node.js developer should have the ability of Test Driven Development. The process of writing the code becomes simpler. A better understanding of kinds of tests, the talent to structure the code, is all important.

Ensure that the candidate has a sound knowledge of database (NoSQL, MongoDB), scalable backend architecture concepts and the ability to properly and easily put the features to use.

Conclusion:

Apart from the skills, which are non-negotiable, it is also important to find a Node.js developer who is passionate and is always willing to explore and learn new things. Above all, the candidate has to have a team spirit and be a team player.