JavaScript Client-Server Debate

The cluster discusses the pros and cons of using JavaScript for both client-side and server-side development (e.g., Node.js), including code sharing, necessity of server-side JS, and comparisons to traditional server languages.

➡️ Stable 0.5x Web Development
4,413
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#2890
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Keywords

MS JS IDE GWT node.js HATE UI DX MVC JSP server client js backend node javascript client server code browser node js

Sample Comments

ttty Mar 1, 2020 View on HN

Why not write all in Js then you don't need a server side? Plus much simpler code

boomlinde Jul 12, 2019 View on HN

The fact that it's not a server in your browser, but a client to a server on the backend makes it less of a server in your browser

kyllo May 23, 2013 View on HN

No, he means the application logic should be on the server side, not in the browser. I doubt he has a problem with server-side Node.js.

conradfr Oct 25, 2024 View on HN

Won't most Node apps still have client side JavaScript?

yuchi Jan 31, 2025 View on HN

A lot of calculations may happen on the client. And the server may be written in JavaScript.

toyvo Feb 27, 2013 View on HN

So how do you want to write your client-side? Does not using one language for both the server and client make sense to you?

swebs Jul 9, 2020 View on HN

Pretty sure the parent comment was talking about client side.

problems Oct 4, 2016 View on HN

Just one of the many ways that modern Javascript baffles me - people pretend the client and server are equivalent.

PKop Dec 10, 2022 View on HN

You need a backend anyways. Shifting to a server-side codebase is eliminating duplication, and arguably server languages have better DX so win win.

ljm Feb 13, 2023 View on HN

Do you realise that if you only work with server-side code, you can't use client-side code?