Node.JS is an open-source and cross-platform runtime environment. It runs a JavaScript application outside the browser. Before jumping right into the specifications of Node.JS, let us first understand a few basic terminologies.
- Programming language – a computer language used to develop software programs or instructions that are executed by computers. Ex: JavaScript, Python
- JavaScript – a programming language used for web development. It is dynamic and makes web pages interactive.
- Node.JS – a JavaScript runtime environment, allowing JavaScript to be run outside the browser and mostly on the server-side. Since an asynchronous and event-driven model is used, it is suitable for data-intensive applications.
WHAT IS NODE.JS USED FOR?
A few examples for the applications of Node.JS-
- Chat application
- IoT application
- Backend for social media networking
- Data streaming
- Queuing inputs
- Brokerage – stock trader’s dashboard
- Application monitoring dashboard
WHY USE NODE.JS?
The versatility of Node.JS and its features make it a very useful and advantageous runtime environment. A few of the benefits are-
- Node.JS is very quick at execution of codes.
- Node Package Manager, a functionality of Node.JS, has several pre-written bundles, which can be imported for various applications.
- It reduces the buffering time while uploading files and their processing time too.
- Being a single-threaded model, it can serve a larger number of requests than other servers.
- It has the support of a large group of supporters from leading enterprises.
- Developers get the advantage of creating cross-platform apps.
- Node.JS developers are in high demand globally.
CONCLUSION:
JavaScript is the most widely used computer programming language world-over and Node.JS is a powerful runtime environment for JavaScript. A lot of Silicon Valley companies have shifted to using Node.JS and its developers are highly looked out for. If this isn’t enough of a reason to start studying Node.JS, we don’t know what else is.