For more than 20 years, websites were static and allowed you to do close to nothing for both user and developer. Now, with real-time web applications, there’s a chance of a two-way connection, where both client and server can start communicating and exchanging data, thanks to tools like Node.
Node.js exists to fulfill a particular need, and that is why it’s based on the open web stack, which means HTML, CSS, and JS, to mention a few.
JavaScript performance in Node.js is single-threaded. It refers to the event loop’s capacity to execute JavaScript callback functions after completing other tasks.
Any code required to run concurrently must provide the event loop to continue running as non-JavaScript operations, like I/O.
I/O refers to input/output. I/O takes time and works with blocking other functions while it runs.
The Node.js star feature:
Blocking I/O and Non-blocking I/O
JavaScript, in theory, is single-threaded, which means it makes JavaScript not precisely suited for multi-threaded tasks. But that’s where the non-blocking part comes in. Node.js uses a non-blocking I/O model that performs in a more lightweight and effective way.
When blocking user2’s data request doesn’t start until user1’s data is printed to the screen. Using a non-blocking request allows you to begin a data request for user2 without pausing to answer the request for user1. You can initiate both in parallel!Â
This non-blocking I/O cuts the need for multi-threading since the server can handle multiple requests simultaneously.
The event loop allows Node.js to perform non-blocking I/O operations even though JavaScript is single-threaded because it does it by offloading the operations to the system kernel whenever.
Node.js’ package ecosystem is the largest ecosystem of open source libraries in the world. That is why when reviewing Node.js, we can’t omit the built-in support for package management using NPM.
NPM is a tool that comes with every Node.js installation and is an assemblage of openly available reusable components that are ready through simple installation via an online repository.
The role of NPM modules
A Node module is a reusable code whose existence does not accidentally impact other code. Node.js has a set of built-in modules which you can use without any additional installation, and you can write your modules to use in various applications.Â
As we mentioned, you can find the complete list of packaged modules on the npm website or access to the npm CLI tool that usually gets automatically installed with Node.js. The module ecosystem is open to anyone who wants to publish their module.
Some functional top npm modules we think you need to know about:Â
- Express.js—or simply Express
- HapiÂ
- ConnectÂ
- Socket.io and socksÂ
- pug (formerly Jade)Â
- MongoDB
- Redis client library
- BluebirdÂ
- MomentÂ
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There are tons of helpful packages available to all that you can try and see which one you like the most. Node.js development is all about choosing the proper adaptation for your process since it has many options.Â
These libraries’ purpose is to solve many general problems. The Node.js developer community composes them to make the most of this great tool and work together to keep growing it.