What is NodeJS?
NodeJS is a JavaScript framework used for server-side computations and processing in the client-server communication process. It facilitates the handling of client requests by performing necessary calculations and validations on the server-side. NodeJS is an open-source and cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment developed by Ryan Dahl in 2009, with the current version being v16.9.0.
Why do we need NodeJS?
High Performance: NodeJS utilizes the V8 JavaScript engine, known for its exceptional performance, to deliver fast and efficient execution of JavaScript code, even outside of the browser. It enables developers to build scalable and high-performance applications using JavaScript, which is traditionally associated with client-side scripting.
Vast Ecosystem: NodeJS leverages the npm (Node Package Manager) ecosystem, which is the largest ecosystem of open-source libraries and modules available for any programming language. With over 50,000 bundles available, developers can easily integrate existing solutions into their applications, saving time and effort.
Asynchronous I/O: In a NodeJS application, requests are handled within a single process without the need to create new threads. NodeJS provides a range of asynchronous I/O primitives in its standard library, ensuring that JavaScript code does not block. Most libraries in NodeJS are designed with non-blocking paradigms, prioritizing non-blocking behavior as the standard. This approach optimizes I/O operations, minimizing waiting time and maximizing overall application performance.
Efficient Resource Utilization: NodeJS optimizes I/O operations, such as network communication, database access, and file system operations, by avoiding thread blocking and CPU wastage. Instead of waiting for an I/O operation to complete, NodeJS temporarily suspends it and resumes execution when the response is received, making efficient use of system resources.
Scalability: NodeJS enables a single server to handle thousands of concurrent connections without the complexities of managing thread concurrency. This scalability advantage eliminates potential bugs and simplifies the development of highly concurrent applications.
JavaScript Familiarity: NodeJS allows frontend developers, who already write JavaScript for the browser, to seamlessly extend their skills to include server-side coding. It eliminates the need to learn a new programming language, providing a smooth transition and leveraging existing JavaScript knowledge.
Web Development: NodeJS is widely used for building web servers and APIs. It provides a built-in HTTP module and frameworks like Express.js, Koa.js, and Nest.js, which simplify web application development by offering higher-level abstractions and features. These frameworks streamline routing, middleware management, and request handling, reducing boilerplate code.
Beyond Web Development: NodeJS is also suitable for automation, command-line tools, and microservices. Its lightweight nature and extensive module ecosystem make it an excellent choice for building small, specialized applications that can be easily deployed and scaled.
Reduced Loading Time: NodeJS enables better synchronization between the client and server, using the same code base. This synchronization results in reduced loading time for audio and video files, enhancing the overall user experience of web applications.
Industry Adoption: NodeJS has gained significant popularity in recent years, with many companies adopting it for their backend systems. Major companies such as Netflix, Uber, PayPal, LinkedIn, and others have embraced NodeJS for its scalability, performance, and developer-friendly ecosystem.
One of the most commonly used examples of Hello World in NodeJS is creating a web server:
Features of NodeJS
Asynchronous and Event-Driven: NodeJS operates in an asynchronous manner, allowing servers to handle multiple API requests without waiting for each one to complete. This non-blocking nature makes NodeJS highly efficient and ensures that all APIs are non-blocking. NodeJS follows an event-driven mechanism, enabling it to receive and track responses from previous API requests.
Single-Threaded Architecture: NodeJS adopts a single-threaded architecture with event looping, making it highly scalable. Unlike traditional servers that create multiple threads for processing requests, NodeJS uses a single thread. This event-driven approach allows NodeJS servers to handle a large number of requests in a non-blocking and asynchronous manner.
Scalability: NodeJS addresses the demand for scalable software by efficiently handling concurrent requests. It utilizes the cluster module to manage load balancing across active CPU cores. NodeJS can horizontally partition applications using child processes, enabling the provision of distinct app versions for different target audiences and customization based on client preferences.
Quick Execution Time: NodeJS utilizes the V8 JavaScript runtime engine, also used by Google Chrome. This engine, combined with NodeJS’s wrapper for JavaScript, ensures faster execution of code and faster processing of requests.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: NodeJS is compatible with various systems such as Windows, UNIX, LINUX, MacOS, and mobile devices. It can be paired with any appropriate package to generate a self-sufficient execution environment.
JavaScript Language: NodeJS utilizes JavaScript, a widely known and popular language among developers. The familiarity with JavaScript makes it easier for developers to adopt NodeJS and leverage their existing JavaScript skills.
Fast Data Streaming: NodeJS excels in processing and streaming data at a fast rate. It significantly reduces the processing time for transmitted data across different streams. By simultaneously processing and uploading files, NodeJS improves the overall speed of data and video streaming.
No Buffering: NodeJS applications do not buffer data, allowing for real-time and immediate data transmission and processing.