Although the spread of JavaScript is on the rise, there has also been a need for server-side programming capabilities among developers for some time. With a callback concept and being event-driven, Node.js took a considerable step in that direction. That’s why we love Node.js and use it along with other JS frameworks and software to create seamless user interfaces in any operating system.

Services like PayPal, running 218 million user accounts (as of September 2017), Uber, Netflix or eBay are real-life evidence of Node’s efficacy. And for that reason, we would like to share with you our thoughts on the creation of Node.js.

Node.js is a server-side runtime environment used to create fast, scalable applications. It’s light and you’ll be able to build a web server in just a few minutes.

Ryan Dahl, developer of Node.js, claims that his aim, influenced by Gmail, was to create a framework for creating websites with real-time push capabilities. So the event-driven model has become the heart of the Node. In comparison to the previous “request/response” model, developers were finally given the ability to render 2-way link websites (client and server) with free data exchange.

The Facts and the Misconceptions of Node.js

At the heart, Node.js is a server engine that you can change and alter, and it can only function after you set it up. Requests to it are processed as a loop (event loop) and that’s why Node is practically runtime. Being part of the JavaScript community, which is perfect for app creation, you can easily manipulate it along with other JS tools, UIs, and connectors. In other words, JavaScript and Node help you to build basic web servers with only a few lines of code.

Yet people also face some myths regarding the creation of Node.js. Here are the most famous misconceptions that have been shattered.

Myths:

• Node.js is a framework
• Relies on the Chrome V8 engine
• It does not support multi-thread
• Amateur developers can’t work with Node

Facts:

• Node.js is essentially a server that is capable of running JavaScript
• It is an open source and cross-platform software application building framework.
• Provides asynchronous and event-driven APIs
• Any programmer familiar with JavaScript will easily learn Node

Facts on creation of Node.js

Node.js is very distinctive in a variety of respects. Perhaps the most specific is that it’s a server-side platform. With Node, JavaScript is not limited to the front-end only (running in the browser), but it also enables working away from the browser. Running the server code this way results in a fast processing capability. There are also some other details about Node that don’t seem so confusing.

1. Has The Back Of The Almighty JavaScript
   Did you know that using JavaScript is the easiest and most common way to build your browser apps? You can do this with other programming languages, but it’s not that easy. It either needs transpiring and working with a much smaller population (e.g. TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Elm) that operates only in certain browsers (e.g. JScript works only in IE), uses deprecated technologies (e.g. Adobe Flash, Java Applet, Silverlight, Moonlight) or has large overheads (GWT requires much memory and has a long compilation time). In comparison, JavaScript is the most common GitHub language. The magic of Node.js in addition to JavaScript is that you can even build it on the server! JavaScript also operates through many operating systems and compensates for their differences.

   Compared to other languages and their event loop structures, e.g. Python and Ruby, JavaScript proves to have enhanced performance. Plus, there’s less space for human error, since programmers can prevent a mental move between a browser and a server.

2. Driven by Google Chrome
   Node.js runs in the backend powered by Google’s V8 engine, running at the same time as Google’s Chrome to run JavaScript on the front end. What’s a positive thing about that? Developer teams vying for JavaScript advancement have made it one of the fastest and most competitive runtimes. Google itself proudly mentions Node.js among other engine power structures, so that’s anything.

   Besides that, you can even perform debugging activities with Google Developer Tools. There is a default Node.js debugging feature in Chrome 57+, and you can use it to eliminate both front-end and back-end errors.

3. Strengthened by JSONWhy do you go nuts and sleepless with an XML markup when the more realistic JSON is available? The notation of the JavaScript object, hence the acronym, is a stable and common data exchange format. It’s easy and helps developers to create APIs easily. It’s one of the foundations of JavaScript, really.

   Dynamic data in the browser had to be cautiously manipulated in JavaScript in the early days of programming. Introduction of the general purpose JSON gave rise to NoSQL databases, such as MongoDB. It was meant for JS only, but it is now the international standard.

4. Runs Around The Concept Of Sharing Is Caring
   The Node.js group is transparent and welcoming, happy to exchange any code bundles. Node ethics makes and encourages this approach, making it easier to do so. Any author may publish a code or create a module in a public repository. Legally speaking, the MIT open source license is in play, taking care of all problems of intellectual property.

   You can find over 475K code packages in the NPM alone, which have evolved from the package manager to the repository. More on it in the next section. Thus, it is most possible that there is already a solution when you face some challenge/task with the creation of Node.js.

5. NPM, Modules & Instruments
   By default, Node Package Manager (NPM) is used in Node. It is currently at the heart of much of Node.js’ implementation systems, and with its support, the Node community has greatly expanded in recent years. NPM consists of a command line and a directory of packages (the registry) and handles packages that are both local to a project and public JavaScript software.

   This function means that the Node.js apps consist of smaller modules that you can share. You should write and handle each of them, as the essence of creating such modules with Node is carefree and encourages experimentation. Each program typically takes care of a single mission, so it’s highly successful.

   One final fact is that Node.js comes with fine instrumentation, documentation and best practice. This is intended to help build applications at any level, for the best performance and development readiness.

   It will also be helpful to list the pros and cons of Node, so let’s do that.

Node.js pros:

• Easy to learn for any developer who is familiar with JavaScript
• A runtime environment to support the caching of modules
• Event-driven input/output (I/O) guarantees better handling of requests
• Same coding on both server-side and client-side = painless web application implementation.
• NPM – the world’s main tech program manager
• It’s even easy to stream huge files

Node.js Cons:

• Inconsistently upgrading the API
• Not an optimal solution for Processor intensive tasks relative to low-level languages such as C, C++, C# or Golang.
• Break the opinion on the asynchronous method

What’s amazing about Node.js?

But while there is some controversy about the proper use of Node.js, what are the fields where Node shines? Here are a few examples.

Chat Feature:
A most typical real-time application, the Chatting Chat application demonstrates the best of Node.js. Many users, heavy traffic, intensive data and working through devices. Often useful to learn Node when chatting, since it encompasses nearly all the paradigms of the standard Node.js app.

Online server-side apps:
Not a standard HTML use of Node, but if you pair Node.js and Express.js, you can render classic web applications on the server side. Again, this is open to discussion, but if your software is poor in CPU computing, you’re likely to be able to create it entirely in JavaScript. The concept behind this is to simplify growth.

Data Streaming:
Using the idea that HTTP requests and replies are actually data sources, we will use Node.js to build some optimistic functionality. For eg, manipulating files as they are being uploaded, e.g. for audio/video encoding.

The monitoring of dashboards:
You can use Node.js nicely to render device dashboards to capture real-time information about website visits and visualizations. Usage statistics and the opportunity to see what they’re doing straight now, isn’t that perfect for business?

The Final, Final Word

Node.js isn’t flawless, but it’s a decent platform for creating server-side JavaScript web apps. NodeJS is continually developing and expanding its use. It’s pretty easy to get into because it’s strong enough to manage today’s web creation activities. It is a cost-effective and resource-efficient site building framework, web/mobile convergence APIs, and stand-alone applications.