These days one of the hottest server-side technologies to learn is Node.js. It has several features like being open-source, and cross-platform with backend JavaScript runtime environment. Ryan Dahl is the creator of node.js. it was initially released on 27th May 2009. Now, the most recent LTS or long-term support version is 14.17.6. Node.js has gained popularity across the globe, especially in Silicon Valley.
Many young software developers have it in their resumes. Node.js exposes you to spectacular career opportunities as a software developer. You can hire NodeJS developer who will take care of your requirements. With it, you can develop numerous cool applications on top of it such as social media apps, real-time video, and messaging apps, online multiplayer games, real-time tracking apps, and much more. Node.js runs on Google Chrome’s V8 engine. The engine compiles the JavaScript code of node.js to machine code. Hence, node.js can run on servers and be used as a backend technology for the apps.
Anyone taking interest in node.js is sure to know JavaScript. Node.js is a popular programming language. It is used in web browsers to manipulate the DOM (Document Object Model) of websites. It can appear in several ways like displaying a confirmation message, notification, modal, or implement any visual animations and transitions to an element. These features belong to the client-side or frontend. JavaScript goes a long way and does not stop being used on the client-side only. It can be used on the servers as well. Node.js makes this possible with the assistance of the V8 engine.
Node.js has great speed. It achieves low latency and high throughput by utilizing a “non-blocking” approach to serve requests. Time and system resources are not wasted by waiting for I/O requests. It is asynchronous and threaded singly.
Node.js Used By Popular Companies
When compared to other programming languages, node.js is new. However, we have good news. Node.js is favored by Fortune 500 companies. For several good reasons, it is favored over many other frameworks. Node.js was worth it is the conclusion. A few companies that use node.js are LinkedIn, Netflix, Uber, Trello, PayPal, NASA, etc. Installation of node.js and node package module (NPM) is important before we start writing the actual code on our workstation or computer.
The LTS or Long-term support version is recommended for download. This is because it is more stable than the latest version. Once it is installed, it can be used. There is a fast way to verify whether node.js has been installed successfully. It is by using your default system terminal on Mac or Linux or the command prompt on Windows. Hire full stack developers to look after your software requirements.
Creation Of a Node Server
We can create a new folder in our file system with the name “node-starter-app”. Kindly change the name according to your choice. Once again, we need to navigate into the folder and create a new file with the name, “app.js”. This particular file acts as the root file for the Node.js application.
A server will be set up in this file. There are a couple of modules Node.js comes with. Firstly, HTTP. The HTTP module can form a server that listens to server ports and gives a quick response back to the client. Secondly, HTTPS. This module can also create a server and provide a way to transfer data over HTTP SSL/TLS protocol. This is the secure HTTP protocol. Thirdly, fs. The fs module is also known as the File System module. It allows us to work with the file system on our computer. The common users for the same are – read files, create files, update files, delete files and rename files. Fourthly, path. The path module provides a method of working with directories and file paths. Fifthly, OS. The OS module provides data about the computer’s operating system.
After this, we shall be using the methods from the HTTP module which ships with Node.js to create a server. Global availability of the module is not present by default. It requires to be import for us to use it and the methods it provides. You can utilize sets of codes to set up the node server completely. Create the file inside the folder “node-starter-app”. After this, we need to go to the folder and fire up the terminal or command prompt. This command needs to be execute next –
node app.js
Exactly what is this command going to do? It will begin the node server on the mentioned port, port 3000. As of now, no output will show on the screen. This is because we have just utilized console.log (). This is why the output is visible only on the terminal or the command prompt. The server needs to stop now by quitting that terminal. In the next section, you shall understand how to handle those requests and send back comments to be print on the screen.
Handle The Request And Send Response
We can have a look at the “request” object that we have used inside the console.log () statement. The “request” object holds all the data of the incoming requests when we visit the respective URL. In the object, we have a key with a name. This is how the information is add to a request. There is an important field require to help figure out the current URL. Next, you shall be able to see a welcome message printed on the screen. You now have an idea about how to send a response for a requested page or URL. This will be a lot easier when we start to learn about back-end web application frameworks. Hire NodeJS developers who can design a proper website for you.
Conclusion
You now have an introduction to node.js. You can go ahead and begin exploring other features that node.js provides. After mastering the basic features of node.js, you can try out other back-end web application frameworks for node.js.
