What Is Node.js? A Complete Guide for Developers

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment and library for running web applications outside the client's browser. Ryan Dahl developed it in 2009, and its latest iteration, version 15.14, was released in April 2021. Developers use Node.js to create server-side web applications, and it is perfect for data-intensive applications since it uses an asynchronous, event-driven model.

Now that we know what is Node, let's look at why it is so prevalent in web development.

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How Node.js Works

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows JavaScript to be executed on the server side. It is built on the V8 JavaScript engine from Chrome, which compiles JavaScript into efficient machine code. Node.js operates on a single-threaded event-driven architecture, utilizing an event loop to handle multiple concurrent operations without blocking.

When a client sends a request to a Node.js server, the request is added to an event queue. The event loop continuously checks this queue and processes each request. If a request involves an I/O operation, Node.js offloads it to the system kernel, which handles it asynchronously. Once the I/O operation is complete, the kernel notifies Node.js, executing the corresponding callback function.

This non-blocking I/O and event-driven model allows Node.js to handle many simultaneous connections efficiently, making it ideal for building scalable, high-performance network applications.

Why Do We Use NodeJs?

There are many reasons for which we prefer using NodeJs for the server side of our application, some of them are discussed in the following:

• NodeJs is built on Google Chrome’s V8 engine, and for this reason its execution time is very fast and it runs very quickly.
• There are more than 50,000 bundles available in the Node Package Manager and for that reason developers can import any of the packages any time according to their needed functionality for which a lot of time is saved.
• As NodeJs do not need to wait for an API to return data , so for building real time and data intensive web applications, it is very useful. It is totally asynchronous in nature that means it is totally non-blocking.
• The loading time for an audio or video is reduced by NodeJs because there is better synchronization of the code between the client and server for having the same code base.
• As NodeJs is open-source and it is nothing but a JavaScript framework , so for the developers who are already used to JavaScript, for them starting developing their projects with NodeJs is very easy.

Features of NodeJs

Now let us discuss on some of the features of NodeJs:

Asynchronous in Nature and Event driven

The servers made with the NodeJs never waits for the from an API. Without waiting for the data from the API, it directly moves to the next API. So all the APIs of NodeJS are totally non-blocking in nature. In order to receive and track all the responses of the previous API requests, it follows an event driven mechanism. Hence we can say that all the NodeJs API are non-blocking in nature.

Single Threaded Architecture

With event looping, a single threaded architecture is followed by NodeJs and for this architecture makes NodeJs more scalable. In contrast to other servers, limited threads are created by them for processing the requests. Whereas for the event driven mechanism, the NodeJS servers reply in a non-blocking or an asynchronous manner and for this reason NodeJS becomes more scalable. If we compare NodeJs with other traditional servers like Apache HTTP servers, then we can say NodeJs handles a larger number of requests. A single threaded program is followed by NodeJS and this allows NodeJs to process a huge amount of requests.

Scalable

Nowadays, scalable software is demanded by most of the companies. One of the most pressing concerns in Software Development is addressed by NodeJs and that is scalability. Concurrent requests can be handled very efficiently using NodeJs. A cluster module is used by NodeJs for managing the load balancing for all the active CPU cores. The most appealing feature of NodeJs is that it can partition the applications horizontally and this partition procedure is mainly achieved by it due to the use of child processes. Using this feature, the distinct app versions are provided to the different target audiences and also for customization it allows them for catering to the client preferences.

Quick Execution Time for Code

V8 JavaScript runtime motor is used by NodeJs and this is also used by Google chrome. A wrapper is provided for the JavaScript by the hub and for that reason the runtime motor becomes faster and for this reason inside NodeJs, the preposition process of the requests also become faster.

Compatibility on the Cross Platforms

Different types of systems like Windows, UNIX, LINUX, MacOS and other mobile devices can use NodeJs. For generating a self-sufficient execution, it can be paired with any appropriate package.

Uses JavaScript

From an engineer's perspective, it is a very important aspect of NodeJs that this framework uses JavaScript Most of the developers are familiar with JavaScript, so for them it becomes very easier to grab NodeJs.

Fast Data Streaming

The processing time of the data that have been transmitted to different streams takes a long time. Whereas for processing the data, NodeJs takes a very short amount of time and it does it at a very fast rate. NodeJs saves a lot of time because the files are processed and uploaded simultaneously by NodeJs. So as a result, the overall speed of data and video streaming is improved by NodeJs.

No Buffering

The data is never buffered in NodeJs application.

Is Node.js a Programming Language?

Node.js is not a programming language; it is a runtime environment allowing you to execute JavaScript code on the server side, outside a web browser. Built on the V8 JavaScript engine from Chrome, Node.js compiles JavaScript into machine code for efficient execution. It extends JavaScript capabilities by providing additional features and libraries for server-side development, such as file system access, network communication, and asynchronous I/O operations.

While JavaScript is the programming language used with Node.js, the runtime environment provides the tools and frameworks to build scalable and high-performance server applications. Node.js’s non-blocking, event-driven architecture makes it ideal for real-time applications, web servers, APIs, and more. In summary, Node.js is a robust environment that leverages JavaScript to enable server-side programming, but it is not a programming language.

Node.js Architecture

Now that we established what is Node, let’s dig into its architecture. Node.js operates on a single-thread, allowing it to handle thousands of simultaneous event loops. Here’s a diagram, provided by Sinform.com, that best illustrates Node.js architecture.

Parts of Node.js

Fig: Parts of Node.js

Now, let's go through each part of Node.js to get a better understanding of the server-side platform as a whole.

Modules

Modules are like JavaScript libraries that can be used in a Node.js application to include a set of functions. In order to include a module in a Node.js application, use the require() function with the parenthesis containing the name of the module.

Fig: Include a module in Node.js

Node.js has many modules that provide the basic functionality needed for a web application. Some of them are mentioned in this table:

Fig: Node.js modules table

Console

The console is a module that provides a method for debugging that is similar to the basic JavaScript console provided by internet browsers. It prints messages to stdout and stderr.

Fig: Node.js console

Cluster

Node.js is built-on on the concept of single-threaded programming. Cluster is a module that allows multi-threading by creating child processes that share the same server port and run simultaneously.

A cluster can be added to an application in the following way:

Fig: Add cluster in Node.js

Global

Global objects in Node.js are available in all modules. These objects are functions, modules, strings, etc. Some Node.js global objects are mentioned in the table below:

Fig: Global objects table

Error Handling

Node.js applications experience four types of errors.

Fig: Node.js errors

Errors in Node.js are handled through exceptions. For example, let's handle the error that would occur when we divide a number by zero. This error would crash the Node.js application, so we should handle this error to continue with the normal execution of the application.

Fig: Node.js error handling

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Streaming

Streams are the objects that let you read data or write data continuously. There are four types of streams:

1. Readable: These are the types of streams from which data can be read
2. Writable: These are the types of streams to which data can be written
3. Duplex: These are both readable and writable streams
4. Transform: Streams that can manipulate the data while it is being read or written

Buffer

Buffer is a module that allows the handling of streams that contain only binary data. An empty buffer of length '10' can be created by this method:

Fig: Node.js buffer

Domain

The domain module intercepts errors that remain unhandled. Two methods are used for intercepting these errors:

1. Internal Binding: Error emitter executes its code inside the run method
2. External Binding: Error emitter is explicitly added to a domain via its add method

DNS

DNS module is used to connect to a DNS server and perform name resolution by using the following method:

Fig: DNS resolve

DNS module is also used for performing name resolution without a network communication by using the following method:

Fig: DNS lookup

Debugger

Node.js includes a debugging utility that can be accessed by a built-in debugging client. Node.js debugger is not feature-packed but supports the simple inspection of code. The debugger can be used in the terminal by using the 'inspect' keyword before the name of the JavaScript file. In order to inspect a file—myscript.js, for example—you can follow this method:

Fig: Node.js debugger

Now that we are familiar with the main parts of Node.js let's go ahead and learn about the Node.js Express framework.

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Node.js Express Framework

Express is a flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a wide set of features to develop both web and mobile applications. It's a layer built on the top of the Node.js that helps manage a server and routes.

Now look at some of the core features of the Express framework:

• Used for designing single-page, multi-page, and hybrid web applications
• Allows developers to set up middlewares for responding to HTTP Requests
• Defines a routing table that is used to perform different actions based on the HTTP method and URL
• Allows dynamic rendering of HTML Pages based on passing arguments to templates

Now look at an example of a simple "Hello World" program developed using the Express framework to gain a better understanding of this framework.

Fig: Node.js Express framework, "Hello World."

• var express: Importing Express framework into our Node.js application
• app.get(): Callback function with parameters ‘request’ and ‘response’
• The request object: It represents the HTTP request and has properties for the request query string, parameters, body, HTTP headers, etc.
• The response object: It represents the HTTP response that an Express app sends when it gets an HTTP request.
• The application will listen to the defined port, which in this case is "8081," and variables "host" and "port" will contain the address and the port, respectively.
• console.log: This is to show the address and port in the command prompt or terminal.

Having learned about the Express framework, let's now move on to the use cases of Node.js.

Applications of Node.js

Node.js is a versatile runtime environment widely used for building various applications due to its efficiency and scalability. Here are some typical applications of Node.js:

1. Web Servers: Node.js is ideal for building fast and scalable web servers that handle numerous simultaneous connections with high throughput.
2. Real-Time Applications: It excels in real-time applications like chat applications, online gaming, and live collaboration tools, where real-time data updates are crucial.
3. APIs and Microservices: Node.js is commonly used to create RESTful APIs and microservices, facilitating communication between services in a distributed architecture.
4. Single-Page Applications (SPAs): Node.js serves and handles the backend logic for single-page applications, enhancing user experience with smooth, dynamic content updates.
5. Streaming Applications: Its asynchronous nature makes Node.js suitable for data streaming applications, such as video streaming services or real-time data processing.
6. Command-Line Tools: Developers use Node.js to create command-line tools and scripts that automate various tasks, leveraging its rich ecosystem of packages.
7. Internet of Things (IoT): Thanks to its event-driven architecture, Node.js is used in IoT applications to handle data from numerous devices in real time.

Who Uses NodeJs?

Well in 2024 , there are 15+ popular companies who are using NodeJs .

Companies like NASA, Trello, Netflix, PayPal, LinkedIn, Walmart, Uber, Twitter, Yahoo, eBay, GoDaddy etc are using NodeJs.

Node.js Use Cases

Fig: Node.js use cases

Netflix

Fig: Netflix

Netflix, the world's leading online entertainment network with more than 167 million users, is one of many top companies trusting Node.js for their servers. The reasons why the company chose to use Node.js include:

• Application scalability
• Data-intensive application

Walmart

Fig: Walmart

Walmart is the world's largest company by revenue, with US$ 559 billion in 2020, according to Forbes. Walmart chose Node.js because of the following attributes:

• Asynchronous I/O
• Efficient handling of concurrent requests

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Uber

Fig: Uber

Uber is a U.S.-based, multinational ride-hailing company offering services that include peer-to-peer ridesharing, ride service hailing, and food delivery. The reasons why the company chose to use Node.js include:

• Asynchronous I/O
• Quick iterations
• Active open-source community

NASA

Fig: NASA

NASA, an independent agency of the United States Federal Government, is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aerospace and aeronautics research. NASA chose to use Node.js for the following reasons:

• Reduced access times
• Ability to handle data-intensive tasks
• Capability to keep the server active 24/7

Paypal

Fig: Paypal

PayPal is a U.S.-based company operating a global online payment system that supports online money transfers, that is serving as an electronic alternative to traditional paper methods like checks and money orders. PayPal chose to use Node.js for the following reasons:

• Extremely fast build times
• Fewer lines of code
• Ability to handle large amounts of data

Medium

Fig: Medium

Medium is a popular online publishing platform developed by Evan Williams and launched in August 2012. The reasons why the company chose to use Node.js include the following:

• Data-driven applications
• Ability to run A/B tests
• Simple server maintenance

NPM: Node Package Manager

NPM is a popular Node.js package library and the jewel in the crown of the Node.js community. It has millions of downloadable libraries, organized according to specific requirements, and is the largest software registry in the world. NPM is free. These libraries are growing fast to this very day, and they strengthen the Node.js community.

When Can We Use NodeJS?

When very few CPU cycles are used by the server side code. When the non-blocking operations are done by us and that does not have heavy jobs or heavy algorithms that consume a lot of CPU cycles.

If we are already from JavaScript background and we are very comfortable in writing single threaded code just like client side JavaScript.

Now let us know when not to use NodeJs:

• NodeJS is a very CPU heavy application , when it comes to heavy computation, NodeJS is not the best option in hand. Other than NodeJs, there are plenty of better solutions available for CPU intensive applications.

Using a single CPU, an event based non blocking I/O model is leveraged by NodeJS and for that reason the incoming request will be actually blocked by all the intense CPU processing activity.

• When using NodeJs with basic crud or HTML application there is no need for high hopes . Though NodeJs will make it more scalable, there is no need for expecting  a traffic flood only because the application is powered by NodeJs. So when the data is provided straightforwardly by, by the server and specially where there is no need to have  a separate API, in this case there is no need for using NodeJs.
• For Relational database access type of projects, using NodeJs is not an efficient idea at all. In comparison with the other framework’s tool boxes, the relational database tools of NodeJs are not that robust, reliable and easy to work with.

Let us now go through the installation procedure of NodeJs. 

So for the installation of NodeJs, we need to follow a very straightforward process. This can be done by the installer package available at the official website of NodeJs.

1. So for the first step, the installer from the official NodeJs website needs to be downloaded.
2. Then the installer needs to be run.
3. Then the simple installer steps need to be followed properly. The license agreement needs to be agreed and then click the next button.
4. Then your system or machine needs a restart. That’s it, we are done with the NodeJs installation.

So far, we have got a good idea on NodeJs and when we have realized we should use it for our server side application.

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Understanding the Popularity of Node.js

Node.js has attracted the attention of businesses and organizations from all sectors. This is hardly a surprise, considering its versatility and strong community support. As you can see from the earlier-mentioned use cases, there are some pretty big players that use Node.js, organizations and businesses like NASA, Uber, PayPal, and Netflix.

Check out the industry trends below to get more insights into Node.js’s popularity.

Must Read: Understanding Node.js Architecture

Node.js Industry Trends

Popularity and Usage

• Over 6.3 million websites are estimated to be powered by Node.js [Radixweb].
• The Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023 indicates that Node.js remains the most popular web technology, with 42.65% of developers using it [Bacancy Technology, Agile Infoways]. This includes professional developers (42.73%), novice developers (42.44%), and others (42.07%) [Agile Infoways].
• Node.js developer population is expected to have reached 27 million globally by the end of 2023 [esparkinfo.com].

Enterprise Adoption

• 262,000+ companies have considered Node.js as a development tool [Agile Infoways].
• Around 43% of developers use Node.js to create enterprise-level applications [esparkinfo.com].

Community and Developer Preferences

• Nearly 95% of Node.js developers use databases for their projects [Radixweb].
• 86% of developers use a front-end framework or library alongside Node.js [Radixweb].
• 78% of Node.js downloads are for Linux, indicating a preference for open-source environments [Radixweb].

Conclusion

Node.js is a powerful and versatile runtime environment that has revolutionized server-side programming by bringing JavaScript to the backend. Leveraging the V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js compiles code into efficient machine code, enabling high-performance execution. Its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model allows developers to easily build scalable and responsive applications capable of handling numerous concurrent connections. From web servers and real-time applications to APIs and IoT solutions, Node.js's robust ecosystem and rich library support make it a popular choice among developers.

In essence, Node.js extends JavaScript's capabilities beyond the browser, providing a robust platform for modern server-side development. To further enhance your development skills and broaden your expertise, consider pursuing Java Certification Training. This training can complement your knowledge of Node.js, making you a more versatile and sought-after developer in the industry.