Hey everyone! I'm trying to decide between Java 21 with Virtual Threads and Node.js (using Express) for a backend server. My main focus is on building a service that will handle a lot of I/O requests to databases and third-party APIs, rather than heavy CPU processing. I know Node.js is often chosen for its non-blocking, single-threaded architecture suited for I/O operations. However, I'm curious about Java's capabilities, especially now with Virtual Threads, as it seems like it might also be a viable option for I/O-heavy loads. If anyone has experience with both, I'd love to hear your thoughts on performance, request times, and any insights comparing them.
4 Answers
You’re really comparing apples and oranges here! Node.js is limited to a single thread, while Java can effectively utilize multiple threads and cores. It’s a big advantage in performance and handling more simultaneous requests. Just think about that when weighing your options!
In terms of efficiency, Java is miles ahead, especially now with Virtual Threads. The performance difference is significant—Java can outdo Node in many scenarios, especially when you're working with multiple threads and leveraging server cores effectively.
Java has been handling I/O-heavy workloads for a long time, even before Node.js came along. Sure, Node is popular because people often choose it due to their familiarity with JavaScript, which allows for quicker prototyping. But ultimately, Java's performance, particularly with JIT compilation, is hard to beat.
I’m just looking for feedback on experiences with both. Has anyone found Java to be a better fit for these kinds of tasks? What was your experience like?
I totally agree! Even the thread-per-request model of Java traditionally outperforms Node's approach.