Choosing the tech stack will solely rely on the architecture of the website in terms of
- Faster response
- Safe and secured transactions
- Handle larger user base
- Continuous up timing of the website
After having the above key values in mind, I have analyzed the core and listed down the comparison below on what is possible and where it differs from one another even though both are similar, yet your decision making will be final to architect an apt solution.
Why ASP.NET API?
Is an open-source web application framework developed by Microsoft Inc. Primarily uses the C# language for coding.
Is a server-side scripting language that produces dynamic web pages.
It can be used to develop newer generation websites as well using web forms, MVC, HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, and templates.
Why Node.js API?
Is an open-source, platform agnostic JavaScript run-time environment that executes JavaScript code on the server-side using the scripting language.
It uses an asynchronous event-driven model, mainly designed for writing scalable applications.
Many successful enterprises such as LinkedIn, Uber, Netflix, and eBay have built their solutions using Node.js.
Advantage of one over the other?
ASP.NET gets the benefits of C# which includes a sizeable collection of elements for building quality applications efficiently. It offers a strict type system and compile-time error checks.
Node.js is taking the advantage of a dynamic ecosystem with plenty of ready-made elements that cover many use cases like microservices, web apps, real-time chat apps, and e-commerce transaction software.
ASP.NET Pros & Cons
| Pros |
Cons |
| Conventions make the code readable |
Manual configurations |
| Multiple threads by the thread pool |
Very less third-party libraries |
| Easy to use drag and drop IDE |
Tightly coupled language and less portable (compared to Node.js) |
| Generic error handling |
Common vulnerabilities in software needs to be prevented. |
Node.js Pros & Cons
| Pros |
Cons |
| Fewer abstractions – allows to have multitude of small components |
Weekly type checked runtime language. Type check implements at runtime |
| Asynchronous applications best operate on a single thread using non-blocking I/O calls. |
Code readability is difficult |
| Uses the event looping mechanism. |
Code maintenance and bug fixing is difficult |
| Easily portable |
Multiple microservices may clutter the architecture of the applications |
Effectiveness (Faster and Secure)
ASP.NET
A good example of scalability is Stack Overflow. The framework actually allows tons of user data efficiently and helps in scaling-up process without having many additional machines.
Tools and libraries are available to secure the apps which includes the built-in Identity providers. Third-party identity services such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn are also available.
It can easily manage app secrets without exposing it in the code.
Node.js
Microservices architecture approach offers greater scalability and stability as the elements are compartmentalized.
Event looping mechanism benefits the server to respond faster. And JavaScript engine executes the code faster and no buffering is involved.
Several npm packages are available like helmet (for HTTP protection), Denial of Service, Node security project, and Snyk which not only detects the security related issues but also fixes it in the code.
Compatible environment (Tools & Server to develop and deploy)
ASP.NET
Code can be developed using Sublime or Mono, but Visual Studio, ReSharper, and Web Essentials are standard IDEs to use. Also, ASP.NET core 1 and 2 allows you to use Visual Studio Code or Rider IDEs.
The build created can be hosted on Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, AWS, Heroku, or any other cloud-based servers instantly with CI / CD.
The system allows you to integrate with Docker and spin up in no time.
Node.js
Developers prefer to use Visual Studio Code but choosing Webstorm gives higher productivity.
Production build can be hosted on multiple operating systems or cloud services like Microsoft Azure, AWS, Nodejitsu, RedHat OpenShift, etc.,
Can quickly adopt to DevOps.
Can be integrated with Docker containers and images can be created and hosted in Kubes for microservice architectures.
References
- https://www.netguru.com/blog/node.js-vs.-asp.net-for-enterprise-solutions-which-stack-to-choose-for-advanced-web-applications
- https://www.aalpha.net/articles/best-e-commerce-web-development-frameworks-in-2019/
- https://www.educba.com/node-js-vs-asp-net/
- https://www.netguru.com/blog/node.js-scalability-how-your-web-application-can-benefit-from-node.js
- https://hackernoon.com/5-reason-why-node-js-is-the-best-platform-to-build-an-ecommerce-marketplace-f4bf0b165746
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/security/?view=aspnetcore-3.1
- https://www.hostingadvice.com/blog/where-to-find-free-node-js-hosting/
- https://blog.risingstack.com/node-js-security-checklist/#npm