StrongLoop vs TypeORM: What are the differences?

Introduction: In the realm of backend development, StrongLoop and TypeORM are two popular tools that provide object-relational mapping (ORM) capabilities for Node.js applications. Despite both serving a similar purpose, there exist key differences that set them apart in terms of functionality and usage.

1. Data Access: StrongLoop is primarily known for its data access and querying capabilities, offering a robust set of APIs for working with various data sources such as databases and REST services. On the other hand, TypeORM focuses more on entity mapping and database schema management, providing a robust ORM layer for interacting with databases.

2. Supported Databases: StrongLoop supports a wider range of databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and MongoDB, making it a versatile choice for applications that may need to interact with multiple data sources. In comparison, TypeORM has a strong emphasis on relational databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and SQL Server, with limited support for NoSQL databases like MongoDB.

3. Architecture: StrongLoop follows a modular architecture, with components such as LoopBack providing a framework for building APIs and REST services. In contrast, TypeORM is focused on the ORM layer and integrates seamlessly with various Node.js frameworks like Express.js and NestJS, offering a more specialized approach to data persistence.

4. Query Building: StrongLoop offers a powerful query builder that allows developers to construct complex queries using a fluent API, providing fine-grained control over data retrieval and manipulation. TypeORM, on the other hand, emphasizes the use of entities and decorators to define database schemas, with automatic query building capabilities based on these entity definitions.

5. Community and Ecosystem: StrongLoop enjoys a larger community and ecosystem, with additional tools and extensions available to enhance its functionality and integration with other Node.js components. TypeORM, while growing in popularity, may have a more limited selection of community-contributed plugins and extensions, mainly due to its specialized focus on ORM functionalities.

In Summary, although both StrongLoop and TypeORM offer ORM capabilities for Node.js applications, they differ in aspects such as data access, supported databases, architecture, query building, and community support. These distinctions can influence the choice of tool based on the specific requirements and preferences of developers and project needs.