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Over the past couple of years, Node.js is recognized as a popular platform server-side JavaScript development process. This is for a good reason as well. In this, on both the front-end and back-end web applications, developers are allowed to use the same programming language by making it easier and more efficient to maintain code bases. While diving deeper into the knowledge of Node.js, several questions arise in the mind of developers, like what is Node.js, why it is considered as a game changer, and how is Node.js used by many companies around the globe. The answers to these questions are elaborated in the following paragraphs.

What is meant by Node.js?

Node.js is nothing but an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that permits developers to build server-side applications in JavaScript. One of the noted features of Node.js is that it exhibits event driven architecture. This feature allows Node.js to handle large volumes of input and output operations without hindering the main thread. Under this scenario, the use of Node.js is meant to be ideal for applications, which need communication in real-time, like social media platforms, online games and chat rooms.

Why Node.js is Considered as A Game Changer for Web Development

The answer to the above question is that there are several reasons as to why Node.js has become such an important and famous platform in the process of web development. A few of them are described below:

1. 1. Speed of Node.js:

Node.js is incredibly fast owing to its non-blocking I/O model as mentioned earlier. Accordingly, it has been found that Node.js has the capability of managing a huge number of simultaneous connections without slowing down. This feature makes Node.js ideally suitable for building applications of real-time. Examples of such applications, include collaborative editing of tools that need real-time communication between the server and client, platforms of online gaming category, and applications related to chat. In all these types of applications, it can be very well observed that Node.js is found to be well-suited and operates easily and efficiently.

2. 2. Versatility of Node.js:

Node.js can be used for a wide range of applications. Some examples of real-world applications built with Node.js include:

PayPal:

PayPal uses Node.js to power its payment processing system, which requires real-time communication between the server and the client. Node.js allows PayPal to handle large volumes of payment requests, quickly and efficiently.

LinkedIn:

LinkedIn uses Node.js to power its mobile application backend, which requires real-time updates for features, like messaging and notifications. Node.js allows LinkedIn to provide a seamless user experience across different platforms.

Netflix:

Netflix uses Node.js to power its UI rendering platform, which requires high performance and scalability. Node.js allows Netflix to handle millions of requests per second and quickly render its UI on different devices.

3. 3. Node.js And Its Ease of Use:

Node.js is built on top of JavaScript, which means that developers who are already familiar with JavaScript can quickly pick-up and work with Node.js. Besides, Node.js has a vast ecosystem of modules and packages available through Node Package Manager (NPM), which makes it easy to build complex applications without having to reinvent the wheel. For instance, developers can use packages, like Express.js to build web applications, Socket.io for real-time communication, and Mongoose for working with databases, like MongoDB.

4. 4. Node.js and Its Vibrant Community:

Node.js has a large and active community of developers who contribute to the project and create tools and packages that make development easier. For instance, tools like No-demon and PM2, make it easy to manage Node.js applications, while packages like Winston and Morgan, make it easy to log application events.

5. 5. Scalability of Node.js:

Node.js is highly scalable due to its non-blocking I/O model. Traditional server-side technologies, like PHP and Ruby, process requests sequentially, which can lead to performance bottlenecks when handling many requests. Besides, Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that allows it to efficiently handle many requests at once. This makes it a perfect choice for building applications that need to scale quickly, like real-time chat applications or social networking sites.

6. 6. Node.js As Cross-Platform Technology:

Node.js is a cross-platform technology, which means that it can run on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it easy to develop and deploy Node.js applications across different environments. Additionally, Node.js is compatible with various front-end technologies, including React, Vue.js, and Angular, making it an excellent choice for building full-stack applications.

7. 7. Node.js As Open Source:

Node.js is an open-source technology, which means that it is free to use, and developers can contribute to its development. This has led to a large and active community of developers who create tools and packages that make it easier to build applications with Node.js. For example, the Express.js framework simplifies building web applications with Node.js, while Socket.io makes it easy to add real-time communication to applications.

8. 8. Node.js As Microservices:

Node.js is an ideal technology for building microservices, which are small, independent services that work together to form a larger application. Microservices architecture is becoming increasingly popular as it allows developers to build and deploy applications faster and with greater flexibility. Node.js is well-suited for microservices architecture because of its modularity and ease of use. Developers can build microservices with Node.js, and deploy them independently, which allows for faster development and deployment of applications.

Learning of Node.js For FREE:

1. 1. Node.js documentation:

The official Node.js documentation is recognized as a great place to start learning about the platform. It includes tutorials, guides, and API references that cover all aspects of Node.js development.

2. 2. Free Code Camp:

Free Code Camp is a popular online learning platform that offers a full curriculum on web development, including a section on Node.js. The curriculum is interactive and project-based, allowing anyone to learn by doing exercises.

3. 3. Node School:

Node School is a community-driven project, which offers free workshops and tutorials related to Node.js. The workshops cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of Node.js to more advanced concepts, like building APIs and deploying applications.

4. 4. Udemy:

Udemy is another platform, which offers several free courses on Node.js, including “Node.js Essentials” and “Node.js for Beginners.” The courses are taught by experienced instructors, and include video lectures, quizzes and assignments.

5. 5. YouTube:

YouTube is also a great resource for free Node.js tutorials and courses. There are several channels dedicated to Node.js. It includes courses, like “Academind,” “The Net Ninja,” and “Traversy Media.”

Conclusion

Node.js is certainly a game-changer for web development owing to its speed, versatility, ease of use, vibrant community, scalability, cross-platform compatibility, open-source nature, and suitability for microservices architecture. Its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, makes it as an ideal choice for building real-time applications while its compatibility and a wide range of front-end technologies allows developers to build full-stack applications with ease. With the growing demand for scalable and efficient web applications, Node.js has become an essential tool for web developers around the world, and its popularity is only set to grow in the forthcoming years, positively.