StackOverflow Developer Survey 2022 shows that JavaScript is the most popular language. It was the number one choice for 10 years straight, with 65.36% of respondents. JavaScript’s popularity lies in its versatility. It can be used to develop websites and web applications, as well as for front-end and back-end development.
You can find many JavaScript frameworks by searching Best JavaScript frameworks on Google. Each one has its own advantages and uses. There are so many JavaScript frameworks to choose from for testing, front-end development, and back-end development. It can be difficult to find the right JavScript framework.
This article is about the top back-end JavaScript frameworks that can be used by developers in various processes throughout their development journey.
5 Best JavaScript Frameworks For Back-End Development In 2023
JavaScript’s versatility is one of the main reasons JavaScript has been so popular, and it continues to rise to the top of the list as the most popular programming language in the world. JavaScript can be used both for client-side front-end development and server-side backend development thanks to Node.js.
There are many server-side JavaScript frameworks to choose from. Express.js and Next.js are the most preferred choices among developers. Before making a decision, consider performance, scalability, and flexibility, as well as the nature of your web app.
1) Next.js
Next.js is a server-side rendering framework that uses React. Next.js was developed by Vercel, a Dutch company (previously ZEIT), in 2017. Next.js is based on React. Gatsby and Next.js are not. However, there’s one major difference. Next is an SSR Server-side renderer, while Gatsby generates static sites.
Next.js also offers static generators. Next.js was built on the principle of “Build once, run everywhere.” This means you can create web applications with Next.js as well as mobile apps and progressive web apps.
Next.js, a React framework, allows for several additional features, such as server-side rendering and the generation of static websites. React, a JavaScript library, is used to create web applications that are rendered in the client’s browser using JavaScript. This strategy has many problems. Developers know about security risks, extended page loading times, and potential harm to search engine optimization.
Next.js frameworks, for example, allow some or all of the website’s renderings to be done on the server side before it is sent to clients.
Next.js is a popular framework for React. It’s one of many recommended “toolchains” when creating a new React app. All of them provide an abstraction layer to help with common tasks. Next.js is dependent on Node.js and can be initialized with Node Package Manager.
2) Node.js
Node.js can be used with Windows and Linux and Unix, macOS, or other operating systems. Node.js makes JavaScript code available outside of a web browser using the V8 JavaScript Engine.
Ryan Dahl, thirteen years after Netscape’s LiveWire Pro Web released the first server-side JavaScript environment in a JavaScript environment, created Node.js. In the original edition, only Linux and Mac OS X were available. To make the OpenJS Foundation, the JS and Node.js Foundation were combined in 2019. Since then, Node.js has been ranked first among the best JavaScript frameworks.
Node.js natively supports JavaScript. However, many languages can be translated into JS. Node.js can be used to create apps in different languages, such as ClojureScript and Dart.
Node.js can be used on macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. There is also tier 2 support available for SmartOS and IBM AIX. OpenBSD can also be run on IBM I (AS/400), as well as LTS versions.
Node.js can be used on Windows, Linux, and Unix. Node.js runs on the V8 JavaScript Engine and executes JavaScript code outside a web browser.
Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript for command line tools and server-side scripting. Running scripts server-side generates dynamic web page content before sending it to the browser. Node.js is a “JavaScript everywhere”, unified web application design around a single programming language instead of different languages for client-side and server-side scripts.
3) Gatsby
Gatsby has one of the most powerful JavaScript frameworks available for back-end development. It was launched in May 2015 by Sam Bhagwat, Kyle Mathews, and Sam Bhagwat. Gatsby, a flexible, modern, and flexible React-based Static Site Generator that can be used to create high-performance, SEO-friendly static websites, is available for download.
Gatsby allows users to pull data from any source possible – CMS such as WordPress, Drupal and Netlify, Contentful, etc., or APIs, databases, or simple markdown. Gatsby is not able to render server-side content like Next.js. Instead, it generates HTML content on the client’s side during build time. Gatsby is a JavaScript framework that delivers lightning-fast performance, excellent security, and outstanding SEO performance.
4) Nuxt
Nuxt, a progressive open-source framework based upon the Vue.js ecosystem, is used to create performant web apps, particularly server-side rendered ones. It can be used as an enhancement for Vue.js. Nuxt cannot replace Vue.js, and it can’t function on its own. Nuxt cannot be used as a backend framework like Express.
Nuxt combines official Vue.js components and libraries – Vue Router and Vuex. Vue server renderer and Vue meta. It also packs the power of webpack babel, PostCSS, and Vue meta. The best JavaScript framework to create these web apps is Nuxt – pre-rendered static pages (SPA), single-page web applications, and server-side rendered web applications (SSR) or universal apps.
This approach has many benefits, including a reduced time to interaction and better SEO than SPAs. This is due to the fact that the full contents of each page are served by the web server before any client-side JavaScript execution.
You can also keep the traditional server-side rendered HTML pages and still enjoy the enhanced interactivity and user interface of SPAs. The Nuxt.js framework’s core benefit is that it simplifies the setup and configuration of such applications for the developer. He can create UI parts of the application just like a Vue.js file application. The developers have announced Next JS 3.0.
5) Express
Express is also known as Express.js. It’s an open-source, minimal JavaScript framework that Node.js uses to build APIs and web apps. It is one of the most popular JavaScript frameworks with a Node.js back-end, especially in MEAN and MERN stacks. It’s the most used Node.js framework, with almost 48k stars.
TJ Holowaychuk created Express in 2010 before it was acquired by IBM (StrongLoop) in 2015. It is currently maintained by Node.js Foundation. Express is a JavaScript framework that is fast and easy to use. Express simplifies complex tasks, which would have taken hours to code with pure Node.js. They can be solved in a matter of minutes using Express. Express provides a more robust routing system for dynamic URLs than the basic and rudimentary Node.js.
Wrapping Up!
LambdaTest, a cloud-based cross-browser testing platform, allows you to run JavaScript automation testing and test JavaScript applications. It supports frameworks such as Selenium and Playwright, Appium, and more to perform automated tests on an online web browser farm with 3000+ browsers.
JavaScript will remain the main force behind developing all types of web applications. It is not easy to choose the right JavaScript framework for you from the dozens of options. Each framework has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Pay attention to the requirements of your project and determine which frameworks will best suit your needs. This will allow you to choose the most cost-effective and efficient development process. Beyond performance, it is important to consider the learning curve, complexity, compatibility, documentation, and community support.
