Yes, the difference is not between PHP and JS, but between single-page/progressive web apps and server-rendered pages. Just do a Google search and you'll find plenty of material.

Use the framework you are most comfortable with. If you're equally happy with Node and Rails, Node is generally a better choice. And if you want something more radical, try Golang or Elixir (or even Crystal).

I'd like to move deeper into the backend. 2017 has been mishmash for me; I learned a bit of everything -- Elixir, Erlang, Golang, Python, Java -- and got nowhere. But I managed to learn Vue.js and put it into production for a client, which I'm proud of. In 2018, I plan to focus more on "real" backend development -- design patterns, algorithms and data structures, database optimizations, scalability . . . all those things.

Hello, I'm Ankush and I spent (wasted?) 8 years of my life looking for work satisfaction until I figured out it was Software Development. Currently a PHP/Laravel/Vue developer, but looking to move on to more exotic stuff very, very soon. :-)