Forever is a simple CLI tool for ensuring that a given script runs continuously. It is commonly used to keep Node.js applications running indefinitely by automatically restarting them in case of crashes or unexpected shutdowns. Forever provides features like logging, monitoring, and process management to help maintain the uptime of applications.
Nodemon is a utility tool for Node.js applications that automatically restarts the server when file changes are detected. It is commonly used during the development phase to streamline the development process by eliminating the need to manually stop and restart the server after each code change. Nodemon enhances the developer experience by providing a seamless workflow and saving time on server restarts.
Alternatives:
pm2-+
forever-+
node-dev-+
supervisor-+
ts-node-dev-+
live-server-+
chokidar-cli-+
watch-+
browser-sync-+
webpack-dev-server-+
Tags: node.jsdevelopmentserverautomationworkflow
Fight!
Popularity
Nodemon is more popular and widely used compared to Forever. Nodemon has a larger community and a higher number of downloads, making it a more established and trusted choice for many developers.
Functionality
Both Forever and Nodemon are tools used for automatically restarting Node.js applications during development. Forever provides a simple command-line interface and can be used to monitor and restart Node.js processes. Nodemon, on the other hand, offers additional features such as watching for file changes and automatically restarting the server when changes are detected. This makes Nodemon more suitable for development environments where frequent code changes are made.
Configuration
Forever has a simpler configuration compared to Nodemon. It requires less setup and is easier to use out of the box. Nodemon, on the other hand, provides more configuration options and flexibility, allowing developers to customize the behavior according to their specific needs.
Developer Experience
Both packages provide a good developer experience by automatically restarting the server when changes are made. However, Nodemon offers a more seamless experience with its file-watching capabilities, as it can detect changes in specific files or directories and restart the server accordingly. This can save development time and improve productivity.
Community Support
Nodemon has a larger and more active community compared to Forever. This means that there are more resources, tutorials, and community support available for Nodemon. It also indicates that Nodemon is more likely to receive regular updates and bug fixes.
Performance
In terms of performance, both Forever and Nodemon have minimal impact on the runtime performance of the Node.js application. However, Nodemon's file-watching capabilities may introduce a slight overhead, especially when monitoring a large number of files or directories.
