The programming language that is dominant in the market of front-end development since the past few years is none other than JavaScript. It is a dynamic programming language that is lightweight and generally used as a part of web-pages. When it is implemented, it lets client-side script to communicate with the user to make dynamic pages.
It is a scripting language that is meant for adding complex features to the web pages, so that timely content updates, animated graphics, interactive maps, scrolling video jukeboxes, etc. can be added to the web pages to make it go dynamic.
All done with the client-side. What about the server-side? Yes, it failed to execute applications on the server-side. This was the point where Node.js came into play, with better features.
Some stats regarding Node.js:
- It is the first choice for startups.
- Netflix, Amazon, PayPal, Reddit, LinkedIn, and many more major companies use Node.js
- Around 43%of Node js devs deploy it for enterprise applications.
- Node JS can improve the performance of an application by 50%.
- It can also reduce development costs by 58%.
The above figures show how widely Node.JS is being used and deployed these days. Eventually, you realize how important taking up the Node.js course is to make your career rewarding and go high.
Let us now dive into what is Node.js.
What is Node.js?
Developed on Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, Node.JS is a javascript framework that is very powerful. Wikipedia defines Node.Js as, “an open-source, cross-platform, JavaScript run-time environment that executes JavaScript code outside a web browser.”
It is used to compile JavaScript code directly to the local machine code. It is used widely in the market for developing server-side web applications. It extends JavaScript APIs to make server-side functionalities work.
When it is required to develop large scale enterprise applications such as single-page applications, video-streaming sites, and other web applications, Node.Js is used. It is superior when it comes to data-intensive real-time applications because it leverages event-driven, non-blocking input/output model.
Just like other programming languages, Node.Js uses different packages and modules. These packages and modules are the libraries that contain functions that are imported from the node package manager or npm into the code and are utilized in the program.
The features that make the use of Node.Js advantageous are mentioned below.
Advantages of using Node.Js
- Open-Source
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform that can run on Windows, Linux as well as MacOSX.
- Easily scalable
It is very easy to scale the applications developed in Node.Js thus making it the most preferred language for developers. The applications are scalable in both horizontal and vertical directions. While scaling the application, it is possible to assign additional resources.
- Supports Real-Time Web Applications
With single-threaded architecture, the overload of applications build in Node.js is reduced, along with the provision of faster synchronization. This feature of node.js makes it the most preferred language for creating web-based chat and gaming applications.
- Easy to learn
Learning node.js doesn’t require many prerequisites. The basic knowledge of JavaScript framework is the necessary thing. There are very few complexities while learning various libraries and toolkits.
- Faster execution
As we know that Google’s V8 engine is the fastest JavaScript engine, and node.js runs on the top of this engine. Node.js utilizes npm which is an online storehouse for tools and libraries. The use of npm makes the code execution faster in Node.js application rather than other techniques.
- Caching Single Module
Node.Js makes it possible to cache a single module eventually preventing the need of re-executing the code, whenever the request for the first module is generated.
- Data Streaming
Node.Js considers HTTP requests and responses to be two different modules and thus they are executed as two different data streams. The processing time for the loading of each data stream is decreased which results in increasing efficiency. This enables you to stream videos and audios without the requirement of waiting for too long.
Apart from the above-mentioned key features, other features of Node.Js include ease of hosting other platforms and providing support for the large and active community.
How to Learn Node.JS?
To start learning node.js you need to dive deep into the fundamentals of the language. You need to learn about the architecture of node.js, and its installation procedure. Next comes learning about node package manager or npm which forms the core of node.js application. This is because it consists of numerous inbuilt libraries that are utilized by node.js developers for quick completion of the application development process.
The heart of node.js application is the JSON file which is the first one you need to create for initializing your Node.js project. For scripting with node.js, you need to understand its basics. The next step is to learn about the file system in order to read and write data into a file instead of doing it over the console. Since node.js is popular for event-driven applications, learning about events is inevitable. Then comes HTTP modules that are widely used while creating server-based applications.
Learning about frameworks will help you develop your process of application development faster and that too with better features. Some of the frameworks you can choose to learn are Express.Js, Meteor.js, Sails, Nest.js, Adonis.js, etc.
Basic knowledge of databases like MongoDB, MySQL, Oracle, CouchDB, and Cassandra is also required. Building applications with docker containers make sure that your application works seamlessly irrespective of the changes in the platform. So, learning docker is also essential.
Conclusion
After reading about node.js you might be willing to learn this powerful scripting language. Though self-study is an option, it is strongly recommended that you go with an online training provider that has all the study material set for you, giving you the flexibility of learning hours as per your convenience. Also, there are options in the mode of learning too. You can choose from instructor-led training, blended learning approach, and online training.
All you need is to get yourself enrolled in any of the online courses available.
