The cross-platform open source JavaScript runtime platform of Node.js executes the JavaScript code out of the browser. Starting its journey in 2009 under MIT License, the programming platform of Node.js lets you add JavaScript on both server and client side while the server-side code resembles the syntax to the browser JavaScript. In order to develop different applications according to application requirement and client preference, developers often use JavaScript and Node.js together.
With the ubiquity of Node.js, JavaScript gets a new dimension on server and also the browser. The code written for one of the language is compatible to run on both Instead of writing something in Java and JavaScript both twice, it will be better to go for JavaScript on the client or server’s both sides. Migration between codes becomes so much easier with both Node.js and JavaScript. By incorporating Node.js, the build process is simplified with same languages. You no longer have to switch gears between XML and Java for building something.
While Java needs different tools like Hibernate and POJO Mappings after obtaining answers from the database, their configuration requires days and hours to be converted into Java objects. Node.js makes full use of JSON formats as they don’t require libraries. Besides, in gaining momentum, the Node.js is quite the forerunner in respect to Java as there is no cluttering of old codes, applets and more. Hence, in comparison with compiler-driven old-school Java, the flexible and speedy Node.js holds the ground.
Node.js as a popular coding framework of server-side V8 JavaScript engine that offers capabilities to the front-end languages of JavaScript while using non-blocking event-driven I/0 model to create interactive, efficient and lightweight websites. Quite recently, in October 2018, the stable release of Node 10.0 with upgraded npm and OpenSSL 1.10 security toolkit makes it a prospective candidate for LTS or Long Time Support. You might like to read about the other popular programming languages.
Advantages Of Node.js
As the complete JavaScript environ with necessary tools for the developer, Node.js triggers huge amount of data streaming with event-driven and non-blocking input-output in real time. Here both server and client can enable two-way communication and free data exchange. The advantages are –
- Core Library –To establish good framework, the repository offers enough time to eliminate the requirement of repetitive coding. With NPM, developers get axccess to over 550 modules.
- Easy Installation –No extra effort or time for installation is required to facilitate operations at back-end as its built-in package management support from NPM tools offer much-coveted relief to the
- Relevance –While being relevant to modern times, Node.js is anything but stagnant and hence, eliminates the requirement of enhanced security against potential hackers. You can maintain and modify the framework easily, detect and fix the bugs easily.
- Hosting Requirements –Unlike other frameworks, Node.js does not need to determine functioning of application. You can host it anywhere and everywhere along with various cloud-based web servers and hosting providers. Thanks to this advantage, the corporate giants have incorporated Node.js.
While reducing the time for processing, Node.js with its V8 engine can speed up sharing, reusing and updating codes. As for real-time application like chats, Node.js is an excellent choice for backend frameworks.
