Head-to-Head: bookshelf.js vs Waterline Analysis

bookshelf

v1.2.0(over 4 years ago)

This package is deprecated. Consider finding alternatives.Types definitions are provided via a separate npm package: @types/bookshelfNumber of direct dependencies: 4Monthly npm downloads

Bookshelf is a JavaScript ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) library for Node.js, built on top of the Knex SQL query builder. It provides a simple and flexible API for interacting with databases, allowing developers to define models, relationships, and perform CRUD operations easily. Bookshelf supports various database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and others.

Alternatives:
sequelize+
typeorm+
objection+
mikro-orm+
waterline+
prisma+
knex+
mongoose+
typegoose+
bookshelf-modelbase+

Tags: javascriptORMNode.jsdatabaseSQL

waterline

v0.15.2(almost 2 years ago)

This package was last published over a year ago. It may not be actively maintained.Types definitions are provided via a separate npm package: @types/waterlineNumber of direct dependencies: 10Monthly npm downloads

Waterline is an object-relational mapping (ORM) library for Node.js that provides a simple data access layer for managing relational databases. It abstracts away the complexities of SQL queries and database interactions, allowing developers to work with database records as JavaScript objects. Waterline supports multiple database systems and provides a unified API for performing CRUD operations, data validation, and associations between different data models.

Alternatives:
sequelize+
typeorm+
objection+
bookshelf+
mikro-orm+
knex+
mongoose+
prisma+
loopback+
typeorm-seeding+

Tags: node.jsORMdatabaseSQLdata modeling

Fight!

Popularity

Both Bookshelf and Waterline are popular npm packages for working with databases in Node.js. However, Bookshelf has been around for longer and has a larger community and user base compared to Waterline.

ORM vs ODM

Bookshelf is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) library that focuses on working with relational databases, while Waterline is an Object-Document Mapping (ODM) library that supports both relational and NoSQL databases. The choice between the two depends on the type of database you are working with.

Flexibility

Waterline is known for its flexibility and supports a wide range of databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and more. It provides a unified API for working with different databases, making it easier to switch between them. Bookshelf, on the other hand, is more focused on relational databases and provides a more specialized API for working with them.

Features

Both libraries provide features like query building, data validation, and associations. However, Bookshelf has a more extensive set of features and provides additional functionalities like eager loading, transaction support, and model lifecycle events. Waterline, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and ease of use, providing a more lightweight and straightforward API.

Community and Documentation

Bookshelf has a larger and more active community compared to Waterline. It has been widely adopted and has a mature ecosystem with extensive documentation, tutorials, and community support. Waterline, although less popular, still has a supportive community and sufficient documentation to get started.

Performance

In terms of performance, Bookshelf is known for its efficiency and optimized queries. Waterline, being more flexible and supporting multiple databases, may have a slight performance overhead due to its abstraction layer. However, the performance difference may not be significant for most use cases.