What Is Node.js? Understanding Its Applications

Node.js lets developers code with JavaScript beyond the web browser environment. Built on the fast and efficient Chrome V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js allows developers to create server-side applications, networked applications, and command-line tools. In this article, learn about Node.js, its features, and careers that use it.

Introduction to Node.js

This open-source, cross-platform runtime environment allows developers to run JavaScript on the server side to build scalable, networked, and high-performance applications. This marks a positive shift as JavaScript was mainly associated with web browsers and used to enhance interactivity on websites. Node.js lets developers program on both the client and server sides using the same language.

Features of Node.js

Node.js offers numerous features that might suit specific project needs. This section outlines its distinct characteristics.

1. Asynchronous programming

Unlike JavaScript, Node.js's asynchronous event-driven architecture allows developers to handle multiple connections and tasks simultaneously without waiting for operations to complete. This makes it particularly well-suited for building real-time applications like chat applications, online gaming servers, and collaborative tools where low-latency communication is essential.

2. Server-side development

Developers often use Node.js for building the back-end (server-side) of web applications. It can handle tasks such as:

• Serving web pages

• Processing forms

• Interacting with databases

• Handling API requests

3. High performance

The V8 JavaScript engine, which powers Google Chrome, offers fast execution speeds and efficient resource utilization. This ecosystem also supports more packages and libraries to drive higher performance.

4. Modules and NPM

Node.js provides a modular approach to programming, where code can be organized into reusable modules. In addition to the built-in modules, Node.js also lets you develop your own modules. The node package manager (npm) in Node.js allows you to install, manage, and share libraries and packages that enhance your application's functionality. This can significantly accelerate development.

5. Command-line tools

Developers can use Node.js to build command-line tools and scripts. This versatility allows developers to automate tasks, interact with APIs, and perform various tasks using JavaScript.

Pros and cons of Node.js

When deciding if Node.js suits your project, you’ll want to consider the advantages and disadvantages. This section provides a brief overview of both pros and cons.

Pros

Advantages associated with Node.js include:

• Single language stack: Node.js streamlines development by enabling you to code on either the client or server side in one language.

• Scalability: Node.js can handle asynchronous connections, making it a good fit for applications that might experience rapid growth.

• Large ecosystem: Since Node.js is popular and open source, it offers many libraries and modules through its node package manager (npm). 

• Fast development: Node.js’s simplicity and large number of available libraries enable rapid prototyping and application development.

• Lightweight architecture: Node.js offers efficiency in developing microservices and APIs by creating modular, independently deployable components.

• Cross-platform: Node.js lets you reuse code across several platforms, which offers efficiency and versatility.

Cons

Node.js might not be the best fit for all types of projects. Consider these potential drawbacks:

• Single-threaded: Node.js's single-threaded architecture offers efficiency for handling asynchronous tasks, yet it may not be able to handle complex calculations or manage large files.

• Callback challenges: Asynchronous programming in Node.js often involves using callbacks, which is a function that’s run once a task in the queue is completed. This can prove problematic as nesting code complicates things for developers. If you need task A to complete before task B runs and B to complete before C starts, this can create what developers call “callback hell.”

• Lack of conventions: The Node.js ecosystem is growing but lacks library support. This can lead to inconsistencies across projects.

What is Node.js used for? 

You can use Node.js for a wide range of applications across web development, server-side programming, real-time communication, and more. Common applications include:

• Web applications: Node.js can handle requests, process data, and generate dynamic content for websites.

• APIs (application programming interfaces): This technology creates REST APIs that allow your applications to transmit data over the internet and to interact with any kind of server.

• Real-time dashboards: This is a good tool for creating dashboards that display live data updates, such as monitoring systems and analytics dashboards.

• Internet of Things (IoT): Manage and control connected devices, gather data from sensors, and send/receive data to/from the cloud with Node.js.

Learning Node.js

Enjoy several ways to learn Node.js. You might combine online resources, tutorials, courses, and hands-on learning. Some good starting points include:

• The official Node.js website can help you get started as well as learn more advanced topics.

• Online learning platforms such as Coursera offer hands-on learning.

• Practice projects let you start small (e.g., building a simple web server), and you can work your way up to more difficult work.

• Visit online communities and forums to ask for help and learn from experienced developers.

• Online tutorials provide an introduction to Node.js concepts and practical coding examples. 

Node.js certifications

Demonstrate your skills in Node.js with a certification. The Linux Foundation offers two options. The OpenJS Node.js Application Developer (JSNAD) validates your skills in creating web applications in Node.js, while the OpenJS Node.js Service Developer (JSNSD) certification allows you to demonstrate your expertise in building and maintaining secure servers and microservices with RESTful Node.js.

How to download Node.js

You can download Node.js for Windows, macOS, Linux, or in source code from Nodejs.org. You will find plenty of options that let you begin developing with Node.js.

Programs similar to Node.js

Node.js shares similarities with several programming languages and technologies. These include:

• Deno: Often seen as a successor to Node.js, has more security support

• Python: Allows developers to build applications with similar concepts to those in Node.js

• Ruby: Model-view-controller architecture allows you to execute tasks independently

• Java: Supports multithreading to execute concurrently

• ASP.NET Core: Enables real-time communication similar to Node.js's real-time capabilities

Careers that use Node.js

Node.js is a valuable addition to a developer's skill set. This versatile technology is commonly used in various careers within the software development and web development field. Some major corporations using Node include PayPal, Google, Microsoft, and eBay.

Here are the average base US salaries (as of November 2023) of careers that require Node.js skills:

• Full-stack developer: $90,904 [1]

• Back-end developer: $91,930 [2]

• API developer: $97,630 [3]

• Application developer: $107,770 [4]

• Mobile app developer: $106,692 [5]

• IoT (Internet of Things) developer: $113,935 [6]

Next steps

Remember that learning programming and new technologies takes time and practice.

Use Node.js to develop back-end apps as part of the beginner-level IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera. Upon completion, gain exclusive access to IBM’s People and Soft Skills Specialization, resume review, interview prep, and more.