Why Server-Side JavaScript?

Chris Nicola left this excellent comment on Justin Etheredge’s blog:

Even with a competitive way to do SSJS [(server-side JavaScript)] on the Windows platform, I just have to ask... why would anyone?

Server-side JavaScript means that the server portion of a web application is written in JavaScript. Personally, I believe that server-side JavaScript will be the next big advance in web development.

If I were Microsoft I would be looking to hit a touchdown out of the ball park with server-side JavaScript, to win back the respect of the more advanced web development community.

Here are some of the reasons why server-side JavaScript will win.

Homogenous Programming Experience

With server-side JavaScript (SSJS) you can use the same language on the server, on the client and over the wire (JSON). JavaScript is even deeply integrated into a number of database platforms. This lowers the concept count for web development and reduces the need for context switching.

JavaScript Runtime Engines

There is a large and ever expanding list of quality, cross-platform JavaScript engines. Every browser contains a JS runtime and there is currently a gold rush on JS performance improvements.

Performance

If you have ever seen IE6 I know you will have your doubts, but JavaScript is fast. Not fast relative to C, but fast relative to languages with comparable features, and it is getting faster.

Interpreted Language

You are too old for training wheels, and programming is too old for a compilation step. Now that we know the benefits of agile, and TDD, and rapid feedback loops, an interpreted language is a big advantage.

Read more: Liam McLennan

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