What's Node.js, and why is it being used?

 

We are familiar with JavaScript as a language that allows you to write one time and be run everywhere. It first gained prominence to browsers when JS was made a standard language to manipulate websites.

 

Then, it transferred to the server and joined web servers. It was able to create websites on servers.

 

But JavaScript's initial run in the backend of the application was only a few hours and may have vanished from the minds of the developers. As we progress, we'll look at various types of JS work, such as creating a command-line application or a search engine that is specific to. However, creating an all-purpose app made with JS was not easy. The wind of change came in the year Node.js was launched.

 

Numerous web frameworks use JavaScript. They comprise Angular and React, Meteor.js, Vue.js, and others. Each of them aids developing processes by enhancing efficiency, safety, and efficiency.

 

While Node.js permits you to create platform-independent applications, It is not a JS framework. Instead, this software's official description or title is a run-time application that implies a wider range of applications. 

 

This is because the applications of Node.js aren't limited to web-based applications but can also be used to implement microcontrollers and REST APIs, operating system wrappers, static files servers, drones, even drone programming.

 

Instead of a simple request-reply messaging pattern, The technology employs an event-driven, progressive paradigm with an event loop ready to respond to any event.

 

 

 

How does it work

The core of it is a flexible server engine that utilizes an event-based model that is non-blocking. It is a type of conversion of JS into machine language that improves efficiency and speed. This means that we have a run-time environment where JS code swiftly moves from server to client.

 

 Through Node.js, JavaScript increased its capabilities beyond creating interactive websites to include a wider range of applications which we'll discuss in the future.

 

If you look under cover of Node.js and look inside, you'll find the world of the event loop. The traditional web-serving methods provide an individual thread for every request. Therefore the RAM is a memory that can be used for random access. (RAM) has to endure a heavy load.

 

In the case of Node.js web development, the input/output model that is non-blocking requires a single thread to handle multiple concurrent requests within the event loop without clogging RAM. When data is present, it's just transmitted without constant processing. Asynchronous tasks are handled by the event loop, ensuring high responsiveness and, consequently, speed.

 

What is it that you can do using Node.js?

We briefly mentioned the possibility of Node.js usage cases. We can now look into this subject in greater detail. We know that the bulk of the popularity of this technology is due to backend development. Front-end development and full-stack utilization that the program offers are in the middle. According to the most recent study done by Node.js Foundation, web applications are the most used use case with an 85percent. 

 

Considering all the strengths and flaws that come with these JS running-time platforms, we compiled some applications that you can use hands-on to make use of the capabilities of the technology.

 

Complex SPAs

A single-page application (SPA) puts a complete application's content on one page. The UX is similar to a desktop program. This type of software is used to build online tools for drawing and text, social networking or mail services, and various other sites that can be used in various ways. In this case, Node.jsapp development is the ideal solution for developing SPAs because of its synchronous data flow at the backend.

 

It is an event loop that "catches" simultaneous requests from clients that provide a seamless update of data. It removes the need to refresh the page regularly to update the information in the real world. Additionally, various SPAs were created using various JS frameworks and libraries, including React, Meteor, Vue.js, Angular, etc. 

 

JavaScript is a standard language among these tools and Node.js, which helps improve the development process by reusing methods and structures in the backend and frontend.

 

RTAs

If you are not in the loop, RTA refers to a real-time application. I'm sure that many users use this kind of application regularly. To name a few, Google Docs/Spreadsheets and Slack are examples of this usage. In addition, most collaborative tools, such as project management software including video/audio conferencing systems and many other RTAs, require significant input and output. 

 

The asynchronous, event-driven nature and the Web Sockets and event APIs provided by Node.js provide a seamless server process (no hanging) and instant data updates. Chats in real-time are also closely connected to the technology. However, they merit an entire paragraph in the next section.

 

Rooms for chat

This scenario is the most common RTA. In addition, it's an excellent choice when talking of Node.js implementation. If you are looking at this type of product, you're likely to meet conditions like the capacity to handle high traffic, light, and also high-speed data flow. 

 

These can all be accomplished completely with Node.js and JS frameworks like Express.js for the backend. In addition, Websockets, as mentioned earlier, are essential in forwarding and receiving messages within chat rooms.

 

Browser Games

Chat rooms aren't in great demand on their own, other than as part of online games. So Node.js games development could be an additional appealing application. In reality, the combination of this technology along with HTML5 as well as JS tools (Socket.io, Express.js, etc.) lets you create RT browser games like Ancient Beast, PaintWar, shooting voxels, Anagrammatix, and many others.

 

Data streaming applications

Another type of product in which Node.js is utilized is a streaming application. Its main selling point is its capability to process data throughout the uploading process. With it, you can send specific portions of content and keep the connection open for downloading other components if needed. In this context, Node.js streaming apps deal with more than just video and audio data. There are other forms accessible for input and output in real-time.

 

REST APIs

App programming interfaces (APIs) built-in representational states transfer (REST) play a key role in developing the latest enterprise software frameworks. The reason for this is the widespread use of the HTTP protocol. In addition REST APIs, they are highly sought-after because of a shift towards microservices as design patterns. 

 

Node.js ecosystem provides Express.js framework for building light and efficient REST APIs. In terms of the advantages compared to other technologies - easy expose of JSON objects through REST APIs and no concerns about the conversion process from JSON or MongoDB (with other databases, which don't keep data using JSON such as PostgreSQL, the transformation is essential).

 

Server-side web applications

Express.js can be used with Node.js to build web-based applications for the server. Of course, it's important to note that no CPU-intensive tasks should be expected. Additionally, a server-side web application isn't a typical Node.js usage case.

 

Command-line tools

This usage case is based on the Node.js capability to write command-line scripts. There are a lot of tutorials on the internet for building practical examples. The wide-ranging technology ecosystem is always a plus, and it is easy to locate the appropriate software for your CLI application.

 

Hardware Programming

Hardware programming is an alternative solution to "What is Node.js accomplish?". Its hardware comprises quadcopters, robotics, embedded devices, and an Internet of things (IoT). IoT can benefit from Node.js, a server that can handle multiple simultaneous requests made by many peripheral devices. 

 

This JS run-time environment functions as an intermediary with devices and DBs, and its event-driven architecture, which is synchronous, allows rapid data flow.

 

Robotics is also a fascinating field and is currently available to anyone with the necessary JavaScript experience. With Node.js and the right frameworks (Johnny-Five, Cylon.js), you can dive into programming robots and devices that JavaScript, like NodeBots, control.

 

What is the most effective use for Node.js?

Based on the scenarios mentioned above, you could believe that the run-time environment could be the perfect solution for every project or concept. I would like to! However, there are times that it's best to choose Ruby on Rails or another technology.

 

Server-side CPU-intensive computation

We've said before that large computations are not an advantage for the tech. Processing heavy on CPUs can increase the volume of incoming requests, forcing the thread to perform number crunching. As a result, all the benefits Node.js can provide will fade into the disappearance.

 

CRUD applications

A CRUD model for apps refers to four types of functionality (Create Read, Update and delete) implemented in apps using an open-source database. If you want to build an uncomplicated CRUD application with an API separate from direct-from-server data routes, Node.js might be a better-than-average solution. 

 

However, for constructing an application that collects analytical events, using you can use the JS run-time environment will make a great fit because of the numerous concurrent requests, regardless of the kind of DB is being used.

 

Who is using Node.js?

Independent developers and small teams of developers choose this technology to meet their needs. With its long-term support services, Node.js attracts big companies too. According to the 2018 Node.js User Survey Report, the number of websites developed using the software exceeds 80K. Companies that utilize Node.js comprise IBM, Sony, SkyCatch, Uber, PayPal, SAP, etc. Take a look at the reliable Node.js apps we've written about.

 

In general, it is the case that the US is leading the pack in internationalization (26 percent) and the use of this technology. The second place on the top ten of Node.js users is India (10 percent), followed by Germany and Canada (6 percent) with a small delay. 

 

The globalization of users can be seen by the number of nations (over 100) they live in and the different languages (over sixty) they use. In this regard, Europe is the leading destination for Node.js developers to date.

 

 

The majority of Node.js users use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deploy their products. The competitors of AWS comprised of Heroku, Google Cloud, and Digital Ocean NogaTech IT Solutions LLC are not far behind AWS but also infrastructure on-premise, which has seen a rise due to increasing Node.js popularity among large corporations. NogaTech IT Solutions LLC is also announcing our assessment of the best hosting solutions for Node.js.

 

Bottom Line

According to data, 34% of engineers using this technology stack work in the backend or full-stack development. In addition, as well as the overwhelming majority of web-based applications developed using Node.js as the JS running-time framework, there are many alternatives to using Node.js to create a digital realm. A few of them have been learned about in this article, as well as more information can be found in the top Node.js books.

 

Your next or current project, whether it is involved in programming robots/drones/devices or building a single complex page/real-time/data streaming app or even a huge IoT system, will benefit from this tech stack. You'll wonder, "Why not use Node.js?" and go for it.