What is Node.js? | Introduction To Node.js | Node.js Guide for Beginners | Edureka

11/26/24 •

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• English

This podcast introduces Node.js, a JavaScript runtime environment, and its advantages like scalability and performance. It explains its architecture, applications (e.g., streaming, chatbots, APIs), core components (e.g., modules, console, cluster), and the Express framework. Finally, it highlights how major companies like Netflix, PayPal, and Uber leverage Node.js for their platforms.

Node.js Advantages

• 00:01:16 Node.js offers benefits like scalability, handling large-scale applications seamlessly, and end-to-end JavaScript development. It also reduces development costs by using fewer servers and a unified language. Node.js is also well-suited for real-time applications, including chat platforms, online gaming, and collaborative tools.

What is Node.js?

• 00:02:36 Node.js is a runtime environment for executing JavaScript on servers and enabling communication between browsers and databases. It was created in 2009 to address the limitation of JavaScript only being able to run on the client-side. This expanded JavaScript's capability to be a full-stack language.

Node.js Architecture

• 00:03:31 Node.js utilizes an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, where incoming requests are first placed in an event queue. The event loop continuously monitors the queue for tasks and processes those that require minimal computation immediately. Heavy operations, like file I/O or database queries, are delegated to a worker thread pool, which handles them in the background.

Node.js Applications

• 00:04:19 Node.js finds application in areas such as data streaming, particularly for videos and audio. It is well-suited for chatbots and messaging apps because of its capability for real-time communication. Node.js can also manage tasks in a non-blocking manner for queued inputs and outputs, and it serves as a robust solution for building REST APIs and complex web applications.

Express Framework

• 00:14:29 Express.js is a lightweight Node.js framework that simplifies web application and API development. It facilitates server-side development by offering features like routing, middleware, static file serving, and support for HTTP methods and JSON. Express.js also includes built-in error handling and security features, ensuring robust application development.