Introduction to Node.js

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It allows developers to use JavaScript on the server side, enabling the creation of scalable and high-performance applications.

Why Use Node.js?

• Non-blocking I/O model for scalability
• Single-threaded but highly efficient
• Large ecosystem of libraries and modules
• Full-stack JavaScript development

Key Features

• Asynchronous and Event-Driven
• Fast Execution
• Single Programming Language for both Client and Server
• Rich Ecosystem with npm (Node Package Manager)

Installation

To install Node.js, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Node.js official website.
2. Download the appropriate installer for your operating system.
3. Run the installer and follow the prompts.
4. Verify the installation by running node -v in your terminal.

Hello World Application

Here's how to create a simple "Hello World" application:

const http = require('http');

const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
const port = 3000;

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.statusCode = 200;
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  res.end('Hello World\n');
});

server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
});
                

Run your application using node app.js (assuming you saved the code in app.js).

Best Practices

• Use asynchronous programming to improve performance.
• Keep your code modular with separate files for different functionalities.
• Utilize environment variables to manage configuration.
• Implement logging for better debugging and monitoring.

FAQ