Today, JavaScript is present in various places and various tasks are with it. Although JavaScript is the core of the web, along with HTML and CSS, this high-level and interpretive language is also in the construction of mobile applications, computer games, desktop applications, etc., in addition to the web. For a long time, one of the desires of JavaScript programmers was to be able to execute their code on the server side in addition to the user browser. This means that with the help of JavaScript, they can create the appearance and logic of their web service together and no longer have to use languages such as PHP or Ruby for server-side programming. One of the environments that allows programmers to execute their JavaScript code on the server is Node.js. In this tutorial, we will look at what Node.js is and what its uses are.
What is Node.js?
Node.js is a server-side platform based on the Google Chrome JavaScript engine (V8 Engine). Node.JS provides everything you need to run a program written in JavaScript. Ryan Dahl introduced Node.JS in 2009 to show that JavaScript is more powerful than these professions. It used only to dynamize web pages on the front end. In fact, with the help of Node.js, the JavaScript programming language is executed in the server environment instead of running in the browser. Node.js lets you easily write scalable web applications.
JavaScript has been in development since 1995. However, this language did not have a successful presence on the server side until a long time ago, and the efforts made by programmers disappeared from the minds of other developers over time. Until the introduction of NodeJS in 2009, the nut came back and over time, JavaScript was used more and more on the server side.
Node.js is not a framework
Before we get into what Node.js is, let’s talk about what Node GS is not. Ninety GS is not a JavaScript framework. A framework is a set of libraries and standards that make it easier to work with a particular language and prevent the programmer from doing repetitive and monotonous work.
Many frameworks are designed in JavaScript and are used in various fields. Some popular JavaScript frameworks include: Angular, React, Meteor.js, Vue.js and more. Using these frameworks greatly increases the efficiency and security of our product and also reduces costs.
So note that Node.js is not a framework and its exact definition is “run-time environment”. In fact, NodeJS goes a little beyond the framework and its range of applications is a little more than the framework. Node.js is not limited to web applications and can be used to build microcontrollers, Rest APIs, operating system packages, robotics, and even advanced drone applications.
Why should we use Node.js?
Node.js has high efficiency and flexibility
Node uses C ++ programming language along with V8 engine and has a very high speed. Both V8 and Node.js are updating and synchronizing with new JavaScript capabilities, as well as increasing performance and security issues. Also, due to the use of JavaScript language, JSON file transfer (the most common data transfer format on the web) will be very fast by default.
Node.js is a cross-platform
Platforms like Electron.js or NW.js allow you to build desktop applications with NodeJS. This way you can use some of your web application code in Windows, Linux and Mac OS. In fact, with the help of NodeJS, the same team working on the web version of a product can build a desktop application without the need for expertise in C # or Objective C languages or other languages used to build Native applications.
Node.js can be with microservices
Most large projects were simple at first and were introduced in an MVP version. But over time, these services became larger and needed to add new capabilities. Sometimes growing a service and adding new features to a product can be a nightmare for the development team. But a good solution to this problem is to use a microservice. The microservice helps you split your program into small sections, each of which can be written by a different team and even a different language. Ninety GS works very well with microservices.
What are the uses of Node.js?
Build one-page applications (SPA)
SPA stands for single-page app and refers to programs that implement all parts of it on one page. SPA is mostly in building social networks, email services, video sharing sites and so on. One of the most popular sites that has been created in this way is the YouTube video sharing service. Because NodeJS supports asynchronous programming well, it is a good choice for building SPA programs.
Build RTA programs
RTA stands for real-time app. That is, programs that have different changes at the moment. You have probably worked with these types of programs before. For example, Google Sheets, Spreadsheets or Slack are such programs. In general, interactive applications, project management tools, video and audio conferencing, and other RTA applications perform heavy input / output operations.
Build a chat room
One of the most popular examples of RTA programs are chat rooms and messengers. You probably use different messengers and chat rooms on a daily basis. You would like to create a chat room for yourself. In fact, Ninety GS is a great choice for this. If you are planning to build such a product, you should pay attention to various factors such as tolerating high user traffic, light product, high speed of sending messages, etc. All of this can be on the server side with the help of 90GS and a JavaScript framework such as Express.js.
Build online games under a web browser
The idea of building a chat room is attractive, but it becomes even more interesting when you write a game for a web browser and provide a chat room next to that game. With the help of Ninety GS, you can develop web games. In fact, by combining HTML5 technologies and JavaScript tools (such as Express.js or Socket.io, etc.) you can create attractive 2D games such as Ancient Beast or PaintWar.
Conclusion
When it comes to server-side programming, the first thing that probably comes to mind is PHP. Then you probably think of Microsoft and ASP.Net technology. But JavaScript also entered the field of server-side programming with the introduction of Ninety GS and acceptable features. NodeJS is a free JavaScript executable environment that does a variety of things.