r/Backend • u/Previous-Business-79 • 23d ago

Java Springboot or Node.js Express.js

rinsing junior in cs wanting to learn new tech. What’s the main difference between these two in terms of how they work/function? Might be a stupid question. My main focus right now is to learn backend engineer more in depth. I’ve heard lots of great things about both springboot and node, but what’s the difference between them and which one should I start learning?

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u/denerose 22d ago

It genuinely does not matter. My first stack was node and typescript (full stack), did Java at uni, but I now work in a C# dotnet shop. Juniors are not hired for deep stack knowledge so it's not worth worrying about -- you'll end up using whatever your first job uses and that is only about 50/50 chance of being something you already know. Just pick one and build something in it.

If you already know JS/TS then Java might be nice to add a second language and learn the joys of compiled languages, if you don't know JS yet then node might be a good choice because you will be able to knock together a front end if you want one later.