JavaScript Runtime Built on Chrome's V8 Engine
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that executes JavaScript code outside of a web browser. Built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that makes it lightweight and efficient, perfect for data-intensive real-time applications that run across distributed devices. It has revolutionized backend development by allowing developers to use JavaScript for both frontend and backend.
Node.js is a powerful JavaScript runtime built on Google Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. Released in 2009 by Ryan Dahl, Node.js allows developers to run JavaScript on the server side, breaking JavaScript free from the browser environment. This opened up a whole new world of possibilities for JavaScript developers.
Unlike traditional web servers that create a new thread for each connection, Node.js operates on a single-threaded event loop architecture. This allows it to handle thousands of concurrent connections with minimal overhead, making it incredibly efficient for I/O-heavy operations.
Non-blocking I/O operations allow handling multiple requests efficiently without creating multiple threads, maximizing resource utilization and enabling high-performance applications.
Uses an event loop mechanism for concurrent operations without multiple threads, reducing complexity and memory overhead while maintaining exceptional performance.
Access to over 2 million packages, the largest ecosystem of open source libraries in the world. Find solutions for virtually any problem or functionality you need.
Google's V8 JavaScript engine compiles JavaScript to native machine code for lightning-fast execution speeds comparable to compiled languages like C++.
Runs seamlessly on Windows, Linux, macOS, and can even be deployed on IoT devices, embedded systems, and cloud platforms without modification.
Built-in support for handling streaming data efficiently, perfect for video processing, file uploads, real-time data processing, and large file handling.
Perfect for building scalable microservices architecture with lightweight, independent services that communicate efficiently via REST or message queues.
WebSocket support for real-time bidirectional communication, enabling live chat, notifications, collaborative features, and instant data updates.
Use the same language for frontend and backend, reducing context switching and enabling full-stack development with one language and shared code.
Handle thousands of concurrent connections with minimal hardware resources, making it cost-effective for high-traffic applications and real-time services.
Extensive package ecosystem allows building features quickly without reinventing the wheel. npm provides solutions for almost any functionality needed.
Large developer community with constant innovations, regular updates, extensive learning resources, and enterprise-grade support available.
Backed by OpenJS Foundation with enterprise support from companies like IBM, Microsoft, Intel, and PayPal ensuring long-term stability.
Minimal memory footprint compared to traditional servers like Apache or IIS, reducing hosting costs and enabling efficient resource utilization.
Perfect for building RESTful APIs and working with JSON data, which is the standard for modern web APIs and data interchange.
Ideal for applications requiring real-time data updates like live tracking, collaborative editing, instant messaging, and gaming servers.
Build scalable API services for web and mobile applications that handle thousands of concurrent requests efficiently with minimal latency.
Create chat applications, gaming servers, collaboration tools, live sports updates, and stock trading platforms with WebSocket support.
Develop distributed service-oriented architecture where each service can be deployed and scaled independently for maximum flexibility.
Build video/audio streaming platforms, live broadcasting services, media processing pipelines, and content delivery networks.
Handle IoT device communications and data processing from sensors, smart home devices, industrial equipment, and edge computing scenarios.
Create CLI tools, build automation scripts, development workflows, system administration utilities, and deployment automation.
Render React/Vue/Angular applications on the server for improved SEO, faster initial page loads, and better user experience.
Build middleware and API gateway solutions that route requests, handle authentication, rate limiting, and aggregate data from multiple services.
// Import the HTTP module
const http = require('http');
// Define hostname and port
const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
const port = 3000;
// Create HTTP server
const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
// Set response header
res.statusCode = 200;
res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
// Send response
res.end('Hello World from Node.js!\n');
});
// Start server and listen on port
server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
});Fast, minimalist web framework
Real-time bidirectional communication
MongoDB object modeling
Promise-based HTTP client
Utility library for common tasks
Date manipulation library
Explore over 2 million packages on npm
Visit NPM RegistryNode.js powers the backend of some of the world's most popular and traffic-heavy applications. These companies chose Node.js for its performance, scalability, and ability to handle real-time data processing.
Netflix: Reduced startup time by 70% after moving to Node.js
PayPal: Built their application 2x faster with fewer developers
LinkedIn: Improved performance by 20x after switching to Node.js
Download and install Node.js from the official website. LTS version is recommended for most users.
node --versionnpm --versionInitialize a new Node.js project with npm to manage dependencies and scripts.
npm init -ynpm install expressCreate your server file and start building your application.
touch server.jsnode server.jsRecommended for most users. Receives updates for 30 months including security patches and bug fixes.
Latest features and improvements. Best for developers who want cutting-edge functionality.
Store configuration in environment variables, never hardcode secrets
Always handle errors and use try-catch for async/await code
Prefer async/await over callbacks and promises for cleaner code
Use proper logging libraries like Winston or Pino for debugging
Use Helmet.js, validate inputs, and protect against common vulnerabilities
Use tools like PM2, New Relic, or DataDog for monitoring
Use Jest, Mocha, or other testing frameworks for unit and integration tests
Deploy with PM2 or similar to handle crashes and restarts