Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment designed to execute JavaScript code outside of a web browser. It is built on the V8 JavaScript runtime engine developed by Google and allows developers to run server-side JavaScript, enabling the development of scalable and high-performance network applications.
- Node.js Official Website
- Installation verification – Open a terminal or command prompt and run the following commands to verify the installation:
node -v npm -v
- Create a Project Folder
- Create a Basic Server - Start by creating a basic server using the built-in 'http' module. Use npm to install additional packages and frameworks like Express.js for more complex applications.
Use npm init to initialize a new Node.js project. This will create a package.json file to manage project metadata and dependencies.
Use npm install <package-name> to install packages. Save dependencies to the package.json file using the --save or --save-dev flags.
Use Command:
node app.js
It is primarily used for building server-side applications, providing a runtime environment that allows developers to execute JavaScript code on the server.
Node.js is known for its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, making it well-suited for building scalable and efficient applications, particularly those handling a large number of concurrent connections.
Its asynchronous nature makes Node.js ideal for real-time applications like chat applications, online gaming, and collaborative tools, where instant data updates are crucial.
Node.js is well-suited for building microservices due to its lightweight and modular nature, allowing developers to create independent services that communicate seamlessly.
Node.js is commonly used to create fast and scalable web servers. Popular frameworks like Express.js simplify server-side development.
It is widely adopted for building RESTful APIs. Its lightweight nature and extensive package ecosystem make it a preferred choice.
Node.js is a runtime environment that allows the execution of JavaScript code outside the web browser. It comes with several features that contribute to its popularity and effectiveness for server-side development. Some of its features are -
It employs an event-driven architecture, using callbacks and event loops, which allows handling multiple connections simultaneously without blocking the execution of other tasks.
It allows multiple operations to be performed concurrently without waiting for the completion of each operation. This feature enhances the scalability and performance of applications, making them well-suited for handling a large number of simultaneous connections.
Node.js comes with npm, a powerful package manager that simplifies the process of installing, managing, and sharing third-party libraries and modules. The npm registry hosts a vast collection of open-source packages, contributing to a rich ecosystem.
It is well-suited for building scalable applications and is often used in conjunction with load balancing and microservices architectures.
In summary, Node.js stands out as a versatile and efficient platform for modern web development, offering a robust foundation for building applications that demand scalability, real-time capabilities, and high performance, widely used for server-side development, real-time applications, and more.
This document has provided a comprehensive guide to Node.js, covering its purpose, applications, implementation, and how to get started.