What Is Node JS? What are the uses of node.js?

Quick Summary

The requirement for web development is constantly increasing and NodeJs is one of the best cross-platform and JavaScript runtime environments that can run on Windows, Linux, macOS, and many more. Trying to figure out Why use Node Js then here you can get all the answers. It is mainly used because it eases the web development process.

NodeJs is different from any other frameworks because of its lightweight nature with a robust package management system of npm and Node.js also offers different types of tools and functionalities that streamline the development process. NodeJs has been a powerful tool for experienced developers to build APIs, real-time applications, or microservices.

In this blog learn more about the importance of NodeJs and What Is Node JS used for. From its core concepts to all of its use cases, here explore the full potential that Node.js offers. Learn more about the world of Node.js and discover its secrets to revolutionizing modern web development.

What Is Node JS?

Trying to learn about what is Node Js then don’t worry here explore that NodeJs is an open-source and cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that executes JavaScript code outside of a web browser. It is a platform that was launched in 2009 and is mainly used for web development and building scalable as well as high-performance applications.

Node.js platform utilizes the V8 JavaScript engine developed by Google to compile and execute JavaScript code. Different from traditional JavaScript environments for the client side, Node.js developers can use JavaScript for server-side scripting. This functionality provides seamless communication between the client and server sides of web applications.

Plus, Node.js has an ecosystem that is supported by npm (Node Package Manager) that can handle various packages of reusable code. This expansive repository allows the developers to quickly integrate pre-built modules and libraries into their projects to improve the speed of the development process.

Features of Node Js

Before we start understanding What Is Node.JS used for let’s learn more about the main features of Node Js.

1. Non-blocking I/O:

• One of the main features of Node.js is that it adopts non-blocking and event-driven architecture to handle multiple concurrent connections efficiently.
• In traditional synchronous I/O models, each operation blocks until completion while Node.js executes I/O operations asynchronously.
• This means that while one operation is waiting for I/O (such as reading from a file or making a network request) Node.js can continue processing other requests to maximize the responsiveness.

2. Lightweight and fast:

• Node.js is built on Google’s V8 JavaScript engine, known for its speed and efficiency.
• It is one of the main reasons why all Node.js applications are lightweight and have the best performance characteristics.
• The event-driven architecture improves the speed with the help of thread management and makes Node.js the perfect choice for handling I/O-heavy tasks and real-time applications. 

3. Single-threaded event loop:

• Node.js works on a single-threaded event loop and it is one of the main reasons why it can handle thousands of concurrent connections with minimal resources.
• The event loop continuously handles events like incoming requests or completed I/O operations, and executes corresponding callbacks asynchronously.
• This design eliminates the need for multi-threaded concurrency models and simplifies the development process by improving scalability.

4. Cross-platform compatibility:

• Node.js is a cross-platform technology that can run flawlessly on various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• It is one of the main reasons why NodeJs is an ideal choice for developing applications that can run on different environments without modification.
• Node.js achieves this compatibility through its use of platform-independent APIs and libraries.

5. NPM ecosystem:

• Node.js provides support for npm (Node Package Manager) which is the largest ecosystem of open-source libraries and tools for JavaScript development.
• With npm, the developers can have access to a vast repository of packages that offers a wide range of functionalities, utility libraries, and frameworks to development tools and modules for integrating with external services.
• This rich ecosystem provides facilities like rapid development, code reuse, and collaboration within the Node.js community. 

6. Built-in HTTP Library:

• Node.js includes a built-in HTTP library that simplifies the creation of web servers and the handling of HTTP requests and responses.
• This native support for HTTP makes it effortless to build lightweight and efficient web applications without the need for external dependencies.

What Is Node JS Used For?

Node.js has proven to be useful for developing applications that take advantage of the ability to run JavaScript on both the client and server sides. The developers prefer to use node js architecture because they can easily create event-driven websites and backend API services.

According to a survey conducted by the Node.js Foundation, whose mission is to enable widespread adoption and accelerate the development of Node.js, web applications are the most popular use case, accounting for 85% of all respondents. However, as the examples below show, they are not the only ones.

1. Browser Games

• Node.js can also be used for game development in conjunction with technologies such as HTML5 and Socket.IO to create single and multiplayer games that run directly in the browser without the need for third-party plugins to be installed.
• Node.js gives game developers several tools to help them manage the complexity of multiplayer games, such as EventEmitter, which can be used to raise and handle custom events. Furthermore, Node.js enables developers to share a significant amount of code between the client and the server. 

2.  Single-page application development

• Node.js, like single-page websites, can create a single-page app with the look and feel of a desktop application. Node.js is a good fit for building dynamic websites, social networking platforms, and mailing solutions due to its versatile options. Furthermore, Node.js’s asynchronous data flow quality on the backend makes it the best choice for SPA development. 

3. Real-time Applications Development

• Those applications that require speed and scalability will benefit from Node.js’s event-driven and non-blocking I/O features. It entails maintaining a continuous two-way connection to applications such as social media, forums, ad servers, and stock exchange software. Node-js is both scalable and fast. It is being considered the preferred technology for real-time, data-intensive apps and IoT devices. 

4.  Fast and scalable Applications

• Node.js applications are easily scalable in both vertical and horizontal directions. While vertical scaling allows you to add more resources to existing nodes, horizontal scaling allows you to add new nodes more quickly.
• Furthermore, because it works with a set of microservices and modules, Node.js applications do not require a large block in the entire development process. It’s simple, straightforward, and ideal for startups looking to expand.

5.  IoT application development

• IoT has grown in popularity over the last decade. Node.js has since become one of the most popular solutions for organizations looking to build public and private IoT solution systems. The primary advantage of Node.js is its brilliant ability to process thousands of events released by billions of devices on its network concurrently.
• Because of the event-driven server architecture of Node.js and asynchronous processing of relevant heavy I/O operations on IoT networks. Furthermore, Node.js operates on writable and readable channels and streams, making it the best platform for developing IoT apps. 

6. Data streaming

• Being one of the world’s largest media services providers is difficult, especially when your job is to provide streaming content to over 150 million users worldwide, which is why Netflix moved half of its API to Node.js in 2018.
• Netflix now has a common language for both server-side and browser-side operations thanks to Node.js, and it benefits from the asynchronous non-blocking I/O capabilities that make real-time and streaming operations with Node.js so simple and efficient.

7. Chatbots Development

• Node.js is commonly used to create real-time applications or RTAs. Because of its asynchronous, event-driven nature, it is capable of handling heavy input-output operations, making it much easier for Node.js developers to achieve the level of performance that users have come to expect from modern real-time applications.
• When developing Node.js chat applications, it’s common to use the Socket.IO library, which allows for real-time, bidirectional, and event-based communication between the browser and the server. Socket.IO allows you to create a group chat application in less than 30 lines of code. 

8.  Embedded systems

• It may seem strange to use JavaScript to program microcontrollers and prototype internet of things devices, but hardware programming is quickly emerging as a major use case for Node.js.
• There is even a Node.js port called low.js that has much lower system requirements, allowing Node.js to run on cheap, power-efficient microcontroller boards based on the ESP32-WROVER module. And, with powerful IoT and robotics development platforms like Tessel 2, leveraging all of Node.js’ libraries to create useful devices in minutes has never been simpler. 

Examples of Node.Js Apps

Here explore some of the main examples of Node.JS apps to understand why use Node Js.

1. Netflix:

• Netflix is one of the world’s leading streaming platforms that relies heavily on Node.js’s ability for its backend infrastructure. By utilizing its real-time capabilities and scalability Netflix offers seamless entertainment to millions of subscribers worldwide. Netflix uses Node.js for the following reasons:
• Scalability
• Real-time Capabilities
• Performance 

2. Uber:

• Uber is a ride-sharing service that uses Node.js to handle the complex logistics of matching drivers with riders in real time. With Node.js, Uber can dynamically update ride prices, calculate optimal routes, and deliver real-time updates to both drivers and passengers, enhancing the overall user experience. Uber uses Node.Js for the following reasons:
• Real-time Matching
• Scalability
• Dynamic Updates

3.  LinkedIn:

• LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform that uses Node.js’s various features like a messaging system and content recommendation engine. By using NodeJs, LinkedIn provides a fast, reliable, and engaging platform for millions of users worldwide. LinkedIn uses Node.Js for the following reasons:
• High Performance
• Scalability
• Real-Time Communication

4. Walmart:

• Walmart is one of the largest retailers globally that uses the power of Node.js to enhance its e-commerce platform and improve customer experiences. It offers a flawless shopping experience across its digital channels for customer satisfaction. Walmart uses Node.Js for the following reasons:
• High Traffic Handling
• Real-time Updates
• Performance Optimization

5. Trello:

• Trello is a popular project management tool that depends on Node.js to power its real-time collaboration features and synchronize data across users’ devices. It also provides a seamless and responsive platform for teams to collaborate and manage projects effectively. Trello uses Node.Js for the following reasons:
• Real-time Collaboration
• Scalability
• Performance 

Conclusion

Hope all doubts about what node js is used for and what is node.js have been resolved now. Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment and library used to run various web applications, even outside of the client’s browser. Get in touch with a NodeJs development company to get a fully functional solution for the growth of the business.

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