What is Node.js?
An open-source, cross-platform runtime environment called Node.js enables server-side JavaScript execution. It is incredibly fast because it is based on Chrome's V8 engine. Node.js's non-blocking, event-driven architecture is one of its strongest features; it makes it easier to create high-performance applications. Because we can use the same language—JavaScript—for both front-end and back-end development, many Indian developers.
What are the main features of Node.js?
- Single Thread: Node.js operates on a single-threaded architecture, allowing it to manage multiple client requests efficiently. Thanks to its non-blocking I/O operations, performance gets a nice boost.
- Asynchronous: With Node.js being non-blocking and running tasks in the background, other processes can keep going without having to wait. This makes applications not only faster but also more efficient.
- Event-Driven: Node.js embraces an event-driven model, where actions are initiated by events. This approach is fantastic for creating scalable and high-performance applications.
- JavaScript Engine (V8): Node.js runs on Google’s V8 engine, the same one used in Chrome, which translates JavaScript into machine code. This is a big reason why Node.js is so speedy.
- Cross-Platform: It works seamlessly across various operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS, giving developers the freedom to choose their preferred platform.
- NPM (Node Package Manager): Node.js comes bundled with NPM, which opens the door to thousands of libraries and tools. This feature can save developers a ton of time during the development process.
- Real-time Capabilities: Node.js is perfect for real-time applications such as chat apps, live updates, and online games, where fast communication is key.
When should you use Node.js?
Thanks to its event-driven architecture, Node.js is a fantastic choice for real-time applications like collaboration tools, online games, and chat applications. It really shines when it comes to building scalable and lightweight RESTful APIs, especially when you're dealing with a lot of users or queries at the same time. Node.js also makes it easier to create modular and flexible systems that can grow alongside your application, particularly in a microservices-based setup.
How to Install Node.js
- Download Node.js from the official website at https://nodejs.org/.
- Download Visual Studio Code from the official website at https://code.visualstudio.com/.
1. Open Visual Studio Code and launch the terminal to check if Node.js is installed. Just type this command into your terminal.
2. Create a folder and open it in the terminal:
mkdir simple-node-program
cd simple-node-program
First Program of Node.js
Step 1. Create a File
Create a new file and name it index.js.
Step 2. Write Code
Open the index.js file and add the following line:
console.log("Hello World!");
Step 3. Run the Program
Open your terminal, navigate to the folder where index.js is located, and run:
node index.js
Step 4. Output
Hello World!