Breakthrough in web development

NodeJS

Introduction

In 2009, Ryan Dahl created Node.js. It is a cross-platform, open-source back-end JavaScript runtime environment that utilizes the V8 engine, allowing JavaScript code to be executed outside of a web browser. Instead of using multiple languages for server-side and client-side scripts, it unifies web-application development around a single computer language. In 2010, the node package manager was created for the Node.js environment, making it easier for programmers to publish and share source code for Node.js packages, as well as simplifying package installation, updating, and uninstalling. It is lightweight and efficient since it uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O mechanism. The goal of NodeJS was to create real-time webpages with push functionality.

Features of NodeJS

Node.js shines in real-time web applications employing push technology over websockets. The features that make Node.js as the primary choice of software architects are listed below.

• Single Threaded

There is only one thread in Node.js. Its architecture is based on the "Single Threaded Event Loop Model," which can manage simultaneous client requests. The main event loop is run by a single thread, but the input-output tasks is handled by several threads in the background. The event mechanism makes the node.js server more scalable by allowing it to conduct all non-blocking actions in a non-blocking way.

• Asynchronous

NodeJS operates in a non-blocking way. It never waits for an API to return data. In other words, After calling an API, the server moves on to the next one, and the thread is always ready to handle the next request.

• Event Driven

Node comes with a "Event" module that has a "EventEmitter" class that allows us to create event-driven programming. It uses a notification mechanism. Main loop listens to the event triggers and then calls the corresponding event handler. Event-driven programming makes Node run quickly and efficiently.

 

• Node Package Manager(NPM)

The Node Package Manager, which is the default package manager for the NodeJS runtime environment, is maintained by npm, Inc. It is the world's largest software registry. Over 800,000 code packages are stored in this registry. It consists of a command line client that interacts with a remote registry which lets users consume and distribute JavaScript modules. It is free to use. It manages projects' dependencies. Using it effectively is a cornerstone of modern web development, no matter if it's exclusively with NodeJS , as a package manager

Usage 

It is used as a dependency manager for variety of projects, npm can install all of a project's dependencies using the package.json file in a single command. Each dependency can designate a range of valid versions using the semantic versioning system in the package.json file, allowing developers to auto-update their packages while avoiding unnecessary breaking changes. After assessing semantic versioning in package.json, the package-lock.json file includes the information of the exact version utilized by the project. All dependencies are installed in the 'node modules' directory and can be imported anywhere in the project.

There are two types of dependencies ‘devDependencies’ (development time dependencies) and ‘dependencies’ (application runtime dependencies). The semantic difference is that dependencies are meant to be used in production, whatever that means for your project. devDependencies, on the other hand, are a set of dependencies utilized during the development of your application - modules that you employ to build the application but don't need when it's running. 

 

Advantages of NodeJS

• Highly Scalable

Node.js operates on a single thread, which means that when a single request arrives, it begins processing it immediately and is ready to receive the next. Also, once the response is prepared, it is sent back to the client.

• High Performance

Node.js is based on the V8 JavaScript engine from Google Chrome, which allows for speedier code execution. The engine converts JavaScript code to machine code, making our code easier and faster to implement. It's relatively quick thanks to concepts like asynchronous programming, Event Loop Model, and Event Driven Model. As a result, the performance is excellent.

•  Full Stack JavaScript Development

JavaScript and JavaScript tools are used to write every component of the web application, both client and server side.

• Advantage of Caching

NodeJS allows modules to be cached. The first time a Node.js module is requested, it is cached in the application RAM. We won't have to re-run the programs since caching helps the application to load web pages faster and reply to the user more quickly. 

• Memory Efficient 
• Support of large and active community

Limitations of NodeJS

• Performance bottlenecks with heavy computation

When NodeJS gets a CPU bound task, it will use all available CPU to complete it first, before responding to other requests in the queue. That results in slow processing and overall delay in the event loop.

• Asynchronous nature of NodeJS makes writing code for large applications difficult.

In NodeJS, callbacks are routines that run after each task in the queue has been completed. Having a large number of queued activities running in the background, each with its own callback, has a direct impact on code quality, potentially making it more difficult to comprehend and maintain.

• Lack of library support can put your code at risk.

Despite the fact that the core NodeJS modules are relatively stable and mature, there are numerous tools in the npm registry that are either of poor quality or not adequately documented and tested. Furthermore, the registry isn't well-structured enough to allow users to search for tools depending on their needs. As a result, if you don't know what to look for, finding the ideal solution for your needs could be challenging.

• Application Programming Interface is not stable

The frequent API updates, which are often backward-incompatible, are one of the most significant drawbacks that Node.js users have reported. Unfortunately, this forces them to keep changing the access code to keep up with the latest Node.js API version.

Applications of NodeJS

• I/O bound Applications
• Data Streaming Applications
• Data Intensive Real-time Applications (DIRT)
• JSON APIs based Applications
• Single Page Applications

Examples of NodeJS Applications

• Coursera                  - Online Education Platform

• Figma                       - UI/UX design and prototyping tool

• Uber                         - Transport

• Netflix                      - Video Streaming

• Twitter                      - Blogging

• Slack                        - Communication

• UpWork                    -  Freelancing Market

• Revolut                    - Payment

• Asana                      - Project Management tool