ExpressJS vs Lumen: What are the differences?

1. Language: ExpressJS is a web application framework for Node.js, written in JavaScript. Lumen, on the other hand, is a micro-framework for PHP, specifically for Laravel applications.

2. Performance: ExpressJS is known for its high performance and ability to handle heavy traffic, making it a popular choice for building RESTful APIs. Lumen is optimized for speed and is designed for smaller applications where performance is crucial.

3. Flexibility: ExpressJS offers more flexibility in terms of customization and features, allowing developers to include additional modules as needed. Lumen, being a micro-framework, has fewer built-in features and is more focused on simplicity and speed.

4. Community Support: ExpressJS has a large and active community of developers, making it easy to find tutorials, resources, and plugins to extend the framework. Lumen, while also backed by the Laravel community, may have fewer resources and community support compared to ExpressJS.

5. Learning Curve: ExpressJS has a steeper learning curve, especially for developers new to Node.js or JavaScript. In contrast, Lumen is designed to be more beginner-friendly and easier to pick up for developers familiar with PHP or Laravel.

6. Use Cases: ExpressJS is suitable for building full-fledged web applications, RESTful APIs, and real-time applications. Lumen, being a lightweight framework, is ideal for building smaller, high-performance applications like microservices or APIs that require speed and efficiency.

In Summary, ExpressJS and Lumen differ in language, performance, flexibility, community support, learning curve, and use cases, catering to different needs and preferences of developers.