Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime environment that builds on the V8 engine. This allows us to run JavaScript on the server-side applications. It helps to construct server-side logic, handles the API (Application Programming Interface) and connects to the databases.
In this article, to understand the Node.js tutorial for beginners, a step-by-step guide is shown below:
One of the most important concepts is that Node.js is not a programming or a framework, but it is a JavaScript runtime environment built on the V8 JavaScript engine. It is a non-blocking, event-driven architecture, single-threaded, cross-platform language to provide high performance. It occurs with the rich library of the modules using NPM (Node package manager).
Example
Code:( To create a server with Node.js)
const http = require('http');
const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
res.write('Hello from server!');
res.end();
});
server.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server running on port 3000');
});
Output:
Server running on port 3000
Node.js is more powerful than JavaScript runtime because it uses the powerful tool used by experienced developers and companies to make fast, efficient, scalable web applications.
Below are some of the reasons that are shown below:
Node.js performs asynchronous operations, which means it allows multiple operations to be executed without waiting to complete. This operation improves responsiveness and scalability.
Non-blocking I/O allows you to perform input or output operations. It is used in online games, financial trading systems, real-time chat application systems, etc.
Node.js uses the single-threaded applications. It means you perform one task at a time and use one thread to perform all the operations.
In detail, a single-threaded application uses a single thread to execute the various tasks one after another. This model finds real-world applications in many walks of life, especially in web development, where simplicity and efficiency in handling concurrent operations are key, using technologies such as JavaScript and Node.js.
Cross-platform allows you to run on any software application or any operating system such as Windows, Linux and macOS. It saves time and reduces the cost of the users. It means Write once, run anywhere.
Node.js manages scalable applications and controls the high traffic with the use of horizontally and vertically. It means handling high workloads data processing such as more data and more requests without affecting the performance.
Node.js is an open-source environment that allows users to run JavaScript on the server side. Open-source means source code is easy-to-use distribute and easily modify. It is being maintained under the Open-source Foundation, with a huge community working along with companies such as Google and Microsoft in supporting it. There are many advantages that developers can derive from its transparency, a huge ecosystem of packages (via npm), and free to use. Being an open-source program, Node.js is reliable and customizable, which serves perfectly for both learning and large-scale production environments.
There are many ways to install node.js on your system, which are shown below:
If you are working with the Windows 10/windows 11 operating system, you download the 64-bit installer on Windows and start the configuration of the system. Through this link, you can easily download the node.js on Windows: https://nodejs.org/en/download.
If you are verifying whether the Node.js completed installation on Windows or not and how to check the version of the node.js installed on your system that are described below:
Syntax (check on the Command prompt):
Node -v
If you are installing node.js on Linux based operating system, it's very simple and depends on the distribution. You are using a distribution such as Debian, Ubuntu or many others. Use this link to install the node.js on Linux: https://nodejs.org/en/download.
If you are verifying that the Node.js has completed installation on Linux or not, you can check through the command line prompt.
Modules in node.js are one of the most important roles in structuring, reusing code and collecting the code. This can be helpful for developers because it is used in large projects to make them flexible and organised.
Node.js module is a self-contained block of the code that helps in different parts of an application, such as imported and exported. With the help of modules, developers can easily reusable code organized and maintainable code. Modules manage the large project application because it contains separate files for importing and exporting.
Example
Code: Module files(greet.js)
function user(name) {
return `Hello, ${name}! Welcome to Node.js modules. `;
}
module.exports = user;
Main file(app.js):
const greet = require('./greet');
const msg = greet('XYZ');
console.log(msg);
Output:
Hello, XYZ! Welcome to Node.js modules.
Default manages to export a single value, class, function or object from a module without the use of curly braces {} to import a direct file.
Import modules help to send code from one module to another module. Import and export add in the ES6(ECMAScript 6) version.
Example: (Exporting Functions)
// math.js
function sum(a, b) {
return a + b;
}
function mul(a, b) {
return a * b;
}
// Exporting multiple functions as an object
module.exports = {
sum,
mul
};
Importing (app.js):
const math = require('./math');
console.log("The Addition of two numbers are:", math.sum(50, 30));
console.log("Multiply of two numbers:", math.mul(10,15));
Output:
The Addition of two numbers are: 80
Multiply of two numbers: 150
Node.js handles the REPL (Read Evaluate Print Loop) command that manages to run the JavaScript code on the console. It is used for testing debugging with JavaScript and Node.js features.
REPL is a command that runs the JavaScript code and, without the node.js, debug your files. This command is explained in detail below:
Read:
This is used to read the user inputs and write the JavaScript code into the terminal.
Eval:
This helps you to run your JavaScript code into the terminal.
Print:
This helps you to show the output of your code.
Loop:
Loop helps to take one or more inputs. This continues working until you quit REPL.
Example:
>const x = 10;
>const y = 20;
> x + y
30
If you are a beginner-level developer, following the best practices can help to reduce your bugs, save time and make your application easy to maintain. Here are some key concepts for beginners that are shown below:
1. Use npm init for Project:
If you are creating a new Node.js project, you should use the npm init -y command. This command helps to create a package.json file and manage your project dependencies.
2. Use Environment Variables:
If you are creating a new Node.js project, you should use the npm init -y command. This command helps to create a package.json file and manage your project dependencies.
In the article " Node.js Tutorial for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide", you know how it works, what Node.js is and why it is one of the most important uses in server-side applications. You have studied its various core aspects like non-blocking I/O, single-threading, cross-platform capabilities, and an open-source ecosystem supported through npm. Starting from setting up Node.js on a local system, creating the first server, working around modules, and using REPLs for testing-now you have a solid foundation to go up ahead.
With the help of Node.js, JavaScript programmers create fast, scalable and back-end applications using this language as their front end. Its flexibility, modularity, and real-time capability make Node.js ideal for modern web development. I suggest you learn Node.js programming from the Tpoint tech website, as it provides Node.js Tutorials, interview questions and all its related topics of the Node.js programming language.