Node.
js:
Server-Side
JavaScript
Introduction to Node.js
• Node.js is a powerful, popular and open-source runtime
environment that executes JavaScript code outside of a web
browser.
• It is built on Google Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine.
• Node,js allows developers to use JavaScript for server-side
scripting, which means running scripts server-side to produce
dynamic web page content before the page is sent to the user's
web browser.
• JavaScript was primarily used for client-side scripting, where
Need for Node.js
• Traditional web servers handle each request with a new
thread, leading to inefficiency.
• Node.js uses a single-threaded, event-driven
architecture, allowing multiple connections
simultaneously.
• This non-blocking I/O model makes Node.js lightweight
and efficient for data-intensive real-time applications.
Features of Node.js
• Asynchronous and Event-Driven: Non-blocking I/O
operations enhance scalability.
• Fast Execution: Built on the V8 engine, it compiles
JavaScript to native machine code.
• Single Programming Language: JavaScript is used for both
client and server-side development.
• Rich Ecosystem: npm provides access to thousands of
reusable packages.
• Cross-Platform: Runs on various operating systems like
Windows, Linux, and macOS.
How Node.js Works
• Node.js uses a single-threaded model with an event loop.
• This means it can handle many client requests without creating
multiple threads.
• When a request comes, Node.js adds it to a queue called the 'event
queue'.
• The event loop checks this queue and handles one request at a
time.
• It does not block other requests and keeps processing them
quickly.
How Node.js Works
• If a request needs to read a file or access a database, Node.js
sends it to the system to handle.
• While the system works on that request, Node.js keeps handling
other requests.
• Once the system finishes the work, Node.js takes the result and
sends it to the user.
• This way, Node.js is very fast and can serve many users at the
same time efficiently.
Node.js Modules
• Modules are reusable blocks of code encapsulated in a single
file or directory.
• Types of Modules:
* Core Modules: Built-in modules like 'fs', 'http', 'path’.
* Local Modules: Custom modules created by the user.
* Third-Party Modules: Modules installed via npm, such
as 'express', 'lodash'.
• Modules promote code reusability and maintainability.
Creating a Simple Node.js Server
• This code creates a basic HTTP server that listens on port 3000 and
responds with "Hello, World!".
Advantages of Node.js
* High Performance: Non-blocking I/O and V8 engine ensure fast
execution.
* Scalability: Handles numerous concurrent connections efficiently.
* Unified Language: JavaScript for both frontend and backend simplifies
development.
* Vast Ecosystem: Access to numerous packages via npm.
* Active Community: Strong support and continuous improvements.
Disadvantages of Node.js
* Single-Threaded Limitations: Not ideal for CPU-intensive tasks.
* Callback Hell: Excessive nested callbacks can make code difficult to
manage.
* Immature Tools: Some tools may not be as mature as in other
ecosystems.
* Asynchronous Programming Complexity: Requires
understanding of async concepts.
Conclusion
• Node.js revolutionizes server-side development by
enabling JavaScript to run on the server.
• Its event-driven, non-blocking architecture makes it
suitable for real-time applications.
• While it offers numerous benefits, developers should be
aware of its limitations, especially for CPU-bound tasks.
• Overall, Node.js is a powerful tool for building scalable and
efficient web applications.
THANK YOU
- Shaik Uzeb
Nibin Jhon
Mahadev Prasad
