What is Node JS?
Node js is nothing but a JavaScript runtime, Which is built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript Engine. And is mainly used for running javascript on a server. You can relate Node js to a compiler for JavaScript.
History of Node JS
Earlier in Web Dev Javascript was only used on the frontend of the website along with the HTML and CSS, and for the Backend or the server side, there were different technologies like PHP, Java, etc. In 2009 a Google engineer named Ryan Dahl decided why not to use JavaScript for the server side as well. So he started working on building a runtime environment for JavaScript which can run JavaScript outside the browser as well. So he took the V8 engine and embedded a C++ program and named it Node.exe which later became Node JS.
How Node JS works?
In the above diagram, we can see the overall working of Node Js. It basically works like a compiler, it converts the JavaScript code into the machine code, which can be used to run the JavaScript program on any system with the help of Node Js.
Why use Node Js?
Node Js is mainly used for creating web servers, but out of so many options out there why should we choose Node Js? Using Node.js on the server offers several benefits that make it a compelling choice for web application development:
Non-blocking, Asynchronous I/O: Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. This means that it can handle multiple concurrent connections without getting blocked by slow I/O operations. This asynchronous nature allows Node.js to be highly efficient and scalable, making it well-suited for applications with high concurrency requirements.
Single Language: Node.js allows developers to use the same language (JavaScript) for both client-side and server-side development. This can lead to increased developer productivity and code reuse, as you can share code between the front-end and back-end components of your application.
Fast Execution: Node.js is built on the V8 JavaScript engine from Google, which compiles JavaScript code directly to machine code. This results in fast execution times and better performance compared to traditional interpreted languages used on the server-side.
Rich Package Ecosystem: Node.js has a vast and active package ecosystem known as npm (Node Package Manager). It provides access to thousands of open-source libraries and modules, making it easy to add additional functionality to your application without having to reinvent the wheel.
Community and Support: Node.js has a large and vibrant community, with many developers contributing to its growth and development. This means you can find ample resources, tutorials, and forums for troubleshooting and getting help when needed.
Real-time Web Applications: Node.js is particularly well-suited for building real-time web applications, such as chat applications, collaborative tools, and gaming platforms, where data needs to be updated and exchanged in real-time between clients and the server.
Microservices Architecture: Node.js works well in a microservices-based architecture, where different components of an application are built as independent services. The lightweight and modular nature of Node.js allows for easy creation and management of microservices.
Scalability: Due to its non-blocking, event-driven architecture, Node.js can handle a large number of concurrent connections efficiently. This scalability is crucial for applications that need to serve a large number of users simultaneously.
Cross-platform: Node.js is designed to run on various operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a flexible choice for developers who work on different platforms.
When to use Node Js?
Although as we have seen above that the Node Js has many advantages, but it's not perfect in every aspect. So one Node Js would be the perfect choice for creating Data streaming applications like Netflix, prime video, etc, and also would be beneficial while creating real-time chat applications like WhatsApp, telegram, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Node.js has emerged as a powerful and versatile runtime environment for server-side JavaScript development. It leverages the V8 engine to enable efficient execution of JavaScript code on the server, which was initially limited to client-side web development. With its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, Node.js excels in handling high concurrency and real-time applications, making it an excellent choice for data streaming platforms like Netflix and real-time chat applications like WhatsApp.
The ability to use a single language, JavaScript, for both the front-end and back-end development streamlines the development process and promotes code reuse, leading to increased developer productivity. Furthermore, the extensive npm package ecosystem provides access to countless open-source libraries and modules, facilitating the rapid development of complex applications without starting from scratch.