The number of websites and mobile applications is continuously increasing at an incredible pace every year. Now we have billions of websites and mobile apps that execute required functions and produce desirable results.
What you see in front of your eyes on the display screen results from multiple calculations and operations which take place in the backend of the system. It is mandatory to have a proper working backend so that the frontend works well.
There are numerous coding languages available for web development, for example, Java, C languages, Python, etc. However, the developer’s first choice is always Java as it is a high level and interpreted language which is easy to learn and code.
Nevertheless, web development is an integral process in which coding languages, scripts, and other valuable tools combine for appropriate executions. And one of the significant parts is Node.js.
Now it is used by most of the big brands for web and app development.
But why Node.js is so popular?
To answer such questions, we have to dive a bit to know more about Node JS. At the end of this blog, you will get all the answers, and you will understand why you should choose Node JS for your next project.
What is Node.js?
Most people consider Node JS as a JavaScript framework or a language, but here is something that will correct their understanding of it. Node.js is not a language or a framework. It is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment used to develop the server-side and the network application.
It is written in JavaScript and built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, which simply means it uses this engine as an interpreter. With that, Node.js is supported by macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux. However, it can be used in the browser, mobile, desktop, and server.
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What’s the need for Node.js?
If you are getting confused, then don’t worry, just stick here. You will get everything that will help you to know more about this concept. Before moving ahead, we have to understand a few things about JavaScript first.
JavaScript is a client-side language that is only used for client-side scripting in the browser. That’s why it is also known as client-side language and is run in the browser through JS engines (Machine language).
Although whatever you see on the screen is the front end of the website, it results from HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. At the backend, which is a server-side, developers use PHP, ASP, etc.
So, what’s the need to have Node.js?
As mentioned above, JavaScript is only used for writing code for browsers, not for servers. This causes developers to learn different languages for server programming, and they have to program server-side and client-side separately.
Using Node JS, developers can write code seamlessly with a single scripting language for both server-side as well as client-side at the same time. It minimized the complexity of designing and programming. With that, it helps in the execution of JavaScript outside the browser.
Along with that, it has a vast library of JavaScript modules that makes the development of web applications trouble-free.
Now, you have the idea of what is Node.js and what’s its need but let’s have a look at where it should be used.
Where to use Node.js?
Node JS is generally used for web or apps which work on real-time data streaming principle. It provides information on the client-side as per request without any delay. This can be accomplished by high-performance, non-blocking event-driven network servers in JavaScript.
The push capabilities provide continuous data fetch from the server to the client’s screen. You may have seen your never-ending social media feeds. Such kind of tasks can be executed using Node.js easily.
Few cases define the situations when there is a need to use Node.js
- I/O bound applications: Time spent while waiting for the database, network, or file system to complete the I/O is longer. Node.js plays a significant role in such cases as it allows other requests while completing the proceeded request. This feature is popularly known as non-blocking, and it will enable other requests to be served while waiting for a particular one.
- Data streaming application: The continuous flow of data on the screen requires quick streaming of files from the server. Streaming services are memory and time-efficient because it reads data in small chunks instead of the whole file at once. Node.js supports data streaming and allows both readable and writable data stream creation with its modules. Famous OTT platform, Netflix uses Node.js for its streaming purposes.
- Real-time chat application: Real-time chat applications have become the backbone of online communication. We use these apps everywhere, from professional to personal life. These apps require a frequent display of messages and chats. Node.js provides swift speed and performance, through which a real-time chat application can be worked without any interruption or delays.
- Single-page applications: The primary purpose of single-page applications is to provide a time-efficient user experience by reducing the loading time. Hence, this can be done using Node.js because it is a wonderful asynchronous tool that allows smooth transition of content and data flow.
These are some examples where Node.js can resolve the entanglement involved in the development of the applications. Big brands including PayPal, Uber, Yahoo!, eBay are using Node.js in their programs steadily.
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Features and Benefits of using Node.js
There is no doubt that the reason behind the popularity of Node.js is its excellent benefits and features, which influence even the big brands to use it for their projects. So, let’s have a look at the compelling quality of Node.js.
Fast Speed
Node JS is a fast-paced runtime environment that can speed up the JavaScript framework and the entire process of development of the application. With that, it is capable of handling big numbers of requests per second.
It has a fast speed because it is loaded with a V8 engine which is powered by Google.
Because of its fast speed, PayPal’s response time got reduced to 35%, and not just this, it also handled double the number of requests per second with Node.js applications.
Asynchronous and Event-Driven
This feature allows the processing of a request to perform before completing the previous request. This means it doesn’t block operations and permits continuous execution without any delay.
Using asynchronous programming, an application can perform multiple operations at the same time. There is no need to wait for completing one operation.
It is also event-driven, in which after an event gets fired, a particular function is executed using variables. This can be possible because it initiates variables at the starting of the server and assigns functions, and waits for the event to happen.
Single-Threaded
Node JS uses a single thread event loop to handle multiple concurrent client requests without hassle. And because of the event loop, the need to create more threads gets eliminated.
The advantage of applications built on Node.js is that it reduces memory and resource usage. Additionally, it tries to use the least number of threads to complete the process or the operation, enhancing the scalability under web loads.
Easy to Use
Node JS is easy to learn, especially for professionals who already possess knowledge of Java and programming languages. It makes the entire development process efficient and feasible and reduces the development load.
App deployment is not so hard in Node.js as it has a wide range of modules and libraries, which simplify the work of the developer.
Boost Productivity
Node JS has completely changed the programming field after its launch. Now, both the frontend and backend can be managed effortlessly, as you can design both the frontend and backend at the same time. Along with that, the complications of application development have been reduced by using Node.js.
It is an effective solution that reduces the time required to build a web or app. This improves the overall productivity of the developer by eliminating the load and burden of two sides (frontend and backend) development and enhances the productivity of the app.
These are the features of Node.js that make it necessary to use in any project. It delivers all the required needs of the developer to build a notable web application.
Additionally, there are few more benefits, i.e., it is SEO friendly and improves the speed of the web page, which is an essential aspect of SEO ranking.
Apart from all these things, it is necessary to understand that Node.js is perfect for data-intensive tasks but keep in mind that it is not advisable to use it for CPU-intensive applications because of its single-threaded implementations.
However, it is actively preferred for development, and big names in the industry like LinkedIn, Uber, Medium, and even NASA also use Node.js for their applications.
You may also like: Seven Awesome Things You Can Build with Node.js.
Conclusion
Node JS is a solution for the problems that come in the path of building an application. Although it has its pros and cons, which depends on the situation and tasks you want to perform.
In this blog, we have tried to provide enough information regarding Node.js to understand why it is so popular and why you should choose Node.js for your next project.
This article is written by Harikrishna Kundariya. Harikrishna is a marketer, developer, IoT, ChatBot & Blockchain savvy, designer, co-founder, Director of eSparkBiz Technologies. His 8+ experience enables him to provide digital solutions to new start-ups based on IoT and ChatBot.
This article is written by Harikrishna Kundariya. Harikrishna is a marketer, developer, IoT, ChatBot & Blockchain savvy, designer, co-founder, Director of 
