What is Node.js and what advantages does it offer?

16 October 2024
5 minutos
Blog

One of the key elements that has facilitated change in the field of web development is the use of Node.js, an execution platform for server-side JavaScript that has gained enormous popularity among developers and technology companies around the world. In this article, we'll explain what Node.js is, what its advantages are over other technologies and what it's used for in the world of web development.

JavaScript was originally a language designed to run on the client side (browser), the creation of Node.js in 2009 by Ryan Dahl revolutionised this scenario, allowing JavaScript to run on the server, thus expanding its field of application.

Unlike other technologies, Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript for the backend, i.e. for server logic, which makes the development process more efficient, as the same language can be used on both the client and server side.

One of the highlights of Node.js is its focus on an asynchronous, non-blocking architecture model, which makes it particularly suitable for building high-performance, scalable applications.

How does Node.js work?

At the core of Node.js is its asynchronous, non-blocking event model. In a traditional execution environment, when a program makes a request for data, the process stops until the server responds. This approach, known as blocking or "deadlocking", can be inefficient, especially in applications with many simultaneous requests.

Node.js, by contrast, takes a non-blocking approach. When a request is made, it does not wait for the server to respond before continuing to process other requests. Instead, it registers a callback function and moves on to other tasks. Once the data is available, the callback function is executed. This significantly improves efficiency and performance in environments with many concurrent connections, such as chat systems, video streaming platforms or social networking applications.

7 advantages of Node.js over other back-end technologies

1. Scalability and performance

One of the strengths of Node.js is its ability to handle a large volume of concurrent connections without consuming a lot of resources.

In traditional server applications, such as those based on Apache, each request can consume a considerable amount of memory and CPU, limiting the number of requests that can be processed simultaneously. Node.js, by not relying on creating new threads for each request, can handle thousands of concurrent connections much more easily.

2. Use of a single programming language

One of the biggest advantages of Node.js is that it allows developers to use JavaScript on both the front-end and back-end. This means that the development team does not need to learn a new language to work on the server side. In addition, this unified approach allows for code reuse, which can save time and improve efficiency in application development.

3. Robust Ecosystem and Community Support

Node.js has an extremely broad ecosystem, powered by NPM (Node Package Manager), which is the world's largest package manager with thousands of libraries and modules available. This ecosystem allows developers to easily incorporate additional functionality into their applications, without having to develop everything from scratch. From database connectors to authentication solutions, almost any tool or functionality you need can be found in npm.

4. Agile and fast development

Thanks to its asynchronous approach and the vast amount of libraries available in npm, development with Node.js is often much faster compared to other technologies. Developers can build prototypes or minimum viable products (MVP) in less time, which is crucial for startups or companies that need to bring products to market quickly.

5. Real-time applications

Node.js is ideal for the development of real-time applications, such as chat rooms, multiplayer games or collaborative platforms, where it is crucial that data is sent and received in a matter of milliseconds. Thanks to its ability to handle concurrent connections efficiently, Node.js offers optimal performance in these situations.

6. Ease of learning

For developers who are already familiar with JavaScript, the learning curve for mastering Node.js is quite low. Since they already know the language and its syntax, they only need to learn about the execution environment and some particularities of server-side development.

7. Support from big companies

Since its launch, companies such as Netflix, LinkedIn, PayPal and Walmart have adopted Node.js for their platforms. This not only demonstrates its robustness and reliability, but also ensures that the community and ecosystem will continue to grow with the backing of large corporations that rely on this technology.

5 Node.js applications

1. Real-time applications

Node.js is especially suited for applications that require fast response and constant communication with the server, such as:

Real-time chats: messaging applications or communication platforms where multiple users interact simultaneously.

Collaboration platforms: tools such as Google Docs or project management applications where multiple users can edit and view information in real time.

2. RESTful APIs

Node.js is an excellent option for building APIs that interact with databases and other applications. Its asynchronous nature allows database queries and other external operations to be performed efficiently, improving the overall performance of the application.

3. Streaming applications

Thanks to its event-driven architecture, Node.js is ideal for video or audio streaming applications, where low latency is crucial for a good user experience.

4. IoT (Internet of Things)

In IoT applications, where thousands of devices can be connected simultaneously, Node.js excels due to its ability to handle many concurrent connections without compromising performance.

5. E-commerce applications

Platforms such as eBay and Walmart use Node.js to handle large volumes of concurrent traffic and transactions, ensuring fast response times and scalability.

udit's GRAd in Full-Stack Development

UDIT's Full-Stack Software Development Degree has the most advanced curriculum on the market. You will achieve the most complete programmer profile by combining knowledge of Back-End and Front-End development in a single course.

You will acquire a deep understanding of all the technological layers behind any software development, making you a versatile professional, adaptable to different projects and with the ability to develop comprehensive solutions.