If you had ever decided to venture into web application development, everyone must have suggested that you use node.js as a backend.
For years, JavaScript features have dominated web development more so for front-end applications. Even industry giants like Google, Facebook among millions of other online web pages have relied on JS for the client-side facade of applications.
Most recently, JavaScript has extended into the field of mobile app development with a number of cross-platform frameworks like Nativescript, React Native, Apache Cordova, and many other hybrid tools.
The developer community was more than overjoyed with the introduction of node.js in 2009 for backend development. It was a welcome relief for them as now they could use their beloved JS tech stack for the full web project instead of dealing with another programming language and while batting compatibility and scalability issues. Node.js is a backend tool that adjusts well with JS semantics and syntax.
What is Node.js in Simple Terms?
Node.js is neither a language nor a framework but rather a runtime environment. JavaScript generally requires the use of a browser, but with Node.js, JS can be executed outside of the browser with necessary settings. It is built on the V8 engine which was originally designed for the Chrome browser, hence its fast speed and high performance.
Node.js excels in performance when it comes to creating real-time, high data-bound applications that require a lot of processing. Latest trends like social media, video streaming, and multiplayer games deliver outstanding performance with node.js.
So any time someone is looking to create robust, fast, and scalable network applications in minimal time, they look towards node.js for backend development. It’s no wonder that many startups are gravitating toward it.
What Makes Node.js Suitable for Developing Web Apps?
#1. Powerful Tech Stack Curated for Web Development
It is an integral part of the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js – four tools that take care of all the important components of web app development).
The environment’s non-blocking input-output procedures make it one of the fastest solutions accessible. Code executes rapidly, which improves the overall run-time environment.
It is easy to learn even for newbies in the developing world. Ones that have a strong grasp over the nuances of JavaScript and Object-Oriented Programming, can quickly catch up with Node.js.
It offers a large resource library, hundreds of free guides, and an active community because it is built on Javascript. It contains highly reusable code that is easy to learn, develop, understand, and maintain.
#2. Creating Responsive Web Applications is a Breeze with Node.js
A significant goal of website and app developers is to find a responsive web design so that a single website is not only aesthetically acceptable across all devices and desktops, but also uses a single code.
That’s what node.js is capable of. In reality, it improves responsiveness since both the frontend and backend of the site may be developed using the same code. As a result, the online apps that have been created are interoperable with all of the major web browsers, gaming consoles, servers, and operating systems.
#3. Easy to Extend and Scale
If you ever need to scale up to meet the demands of the business trajectory, node.js is quite capable of that. A mere installation of extra nodes allows for easy vertical and horizontal scaling.
The cluster module in Node.js is in charge of load balancing for all active CPU cores. One of the numerous advantages of the Node.js module is that you may operate multiple nodes at the same time, with the environment automatically balancing the burden.
Even horizontal partitioning is possible with Node.js; you can divide your app into multiple instances. Depending on their age, interests, geography, language, and other factors, you show different versions of the application to different users. This improves personalization while reducing workload. Isn’t it amazing?
#4. Smart Code Sharing
The code maintainability of Node.js is exceptional. It allows you to exchange codes by revealing them. Node.js has a library of roughly 50,000 bundles, which reduces the amount of code you need to write.
With this platform, web developers may simply refresh, reuse, and exchange codes for end-to-end development with minimal effort. Besides, all the server data changes automatically reflect on the client’s web page with its smart sharing option.
#5. Search Engine Friendliness
In order to compete in today’s increasingly competitive digital market, every company uses SEO to improve its search engine rankings. Node.js is a popular choice for constructing real-time web apps because of its SEO-friendly features.
Node.js contributes to the real-time web application’s SEO by assisting with back-end rendering. Furthermore, Node.js is SEO-friendly due to its ease of use and straightforward design. You may simply attract more audience, increase interaction, and increase the visibility of your online application by building it with Node.js.
#6. Modularity and Feature of Data Streaming
Data streaming is possible with Node.js. This means that large amounts of data may be broken down into smaller, more digestible portions. Because little data chunks take up less memory space, they prevent the mobile device from slowing down.
It also aids in shortening the total length of the development process. This particular feature makes using Node.js very advantageous when designing real-time online applications such as chat apps, chatbots, and games.
Its module-based functionality facilitates simultaneous working as different developers can undertake different modules and quickly develop the end application.
#7. Improved App Response Time
The technology can handle several requests at the same time as it supports an optional non-block I/O system. When compared to other languages like Python or Ruby, the system can handle multiple requests with the fastest response time and most efficiency. All incoming requests are organized and executed in a highly systematic manner.
#8. Communication in Real-Time
It maintains a constant connection between the user and the server, ensuring that there is no lag between what the user requests and the server’s response. It deals with the message as a whole rather than parsing it letter by letter for interpretation.
Furthermore, you can implement Websockets through native modules, as they are the most widely used real-time communication methods in the business. You may ensure that your users are always in sync with you by using Node.js features like this one.
#9. Seamless JSON Support
Other backend technologies, such as PHP and Ruby on Rails, can communicate in JSON format, however, Node.js does so without translating between binary models and instead uses JavaScript. This is very useful for creating RESTful APIs for NoSQL databases such as MongoDB.
That’s beneficial not only for the original development but also for continuing maintenance. And, most of all, you can quickly share information between client servers and the web server when you use JSON and Node.js together. APIs can also be used by programmers to integrate TCP, HTTP, DNS, and other protocols into the server.
#10. Cost-effective When Used with JS Stack
Node.js provides web developers with the ability to write server-side code in the JavaScript programming language, allowing them to write code for both the front-end and back-end with ease.
This capability is one of the most significant advantages of Node.js because it eliminates the need to hire two resource teams while also saving a significant amount of time, energy, and money over the course of the project’s development.
As a matter of fact, LinkedIn made a transition from Ruby on rails to node.js and in the process reduced their number of servers from 30 to 3, saving substantial costs for the company. They also noticed that delegating resources and increasing efficiency allowed them to move their focus from debugging to application development.
#11. Quick Caching Reduces Loading Time
With its caching module, node.js has made it simple for developers to reduce task workload and code re-execution. As a result, whenever your web application’s initial module receives a request, it is cached in the in-app memory.
Web-users will be able to browse websites in a fraction of a second, rather than having to wait for significant periods of time.
Endnote
Even major corporations require scalability, speed, and user-friendliness. So even industry giants like PayPal, SAP, Microsoft, IBM, and many more use this run-time JS environment in their operations.
It was created by Joyant with the goal of enabling universal adoption and accelerating node JS development across all industries. Given the current state of JavaScript, we are optimistic that Node will one day become the ultimate web backend solution.
It is no doubt that node.js has carved its niche in the web development world when it comes to devising real-time, multi-user, and live streaming web components. With the callback concept, Node.js comes up with a novel approach to event-driven single-threaded server development.
About the Author!
Jessica Watson is a professional writer for mCommerce platforms and the software that integrates with them. Currently, she is associated with RV Technologies mobile app development company. In her free time, she likes to explore all that is trending in the mobile app development arena.