Node.js Runtime Environment

Node.js is a back-end JavaScript runtime environment that allows developers to execute code on the server, outside the confines of a web browser. Built on Google's powerful V8 engine, it utilizes an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, which makes it exceptionally lightweight and efficient for building fast, scalable network applications that handle numerous simultaneous connections. This architecture is ideal for creating web servers, APIs, and other data-intensive real-time services, enabling developers to use a single programming language (JavaScript) for both front-end and back-end development.

  1. Introduction to Node.js
    1. Definition and Overview
      1. What is Node.js
        1. History and Evolution of Node.js
          1. Node.js in the JavaScript Ecosystem
          2. Key Architectural Principles
            1. V8 JavaScript Engine
              1. Features of V8
                1. How V8 Executes JavaScript
                  1. Memory Management in V8
                    1. Just-in-Time Compilation
                    2. Event-Driven Architecture
                      1. Event Loop Mechanism
                        1. Event Emitters and Listeners
                          1. Non-Blocking Event Handling
                          2. Non-Blocking I/O Model
                            1. Asynchronous I/O Operations
                              1. Benefits of Non-Blocking I/O
                                1. Comparison with Blocking I/O
                              2. Common Use Cases
                                1. Web Servers and APIs
                                  1. RESTful API Development
                                    1. Serving Static and Dynamic Content
                                      1. GraphQL APIs
                                      2. Real-Time Applications
                                        1. Chat Applications
                                          1. Online Gaming
                                            1. Collaborative Tools
                                              1. Live Data Streaming
                                              2. Command-Line Tools
                                                1. Scripting and Automation
                                                  1. Custom CLI Utilities
                                                    1. Build Tools and Task Runners
                                                    2. Microservices
                                                      1. Service-Oriented Architecture
                                                        1. Inter-Service Communication
                                                          1. API Gateways
                                                        2. Node.js vs Browser JavaScript
                                                          1. Differences in Runtime Environment
                                                            1. Access to System Resources
                                                              1. Module Systems Comparison
                                                                1. Security Considerations
                                                                  1. Global Objects Differences

                                                                Go to top

                                                                Next

                                                                2. Setting Up the Development Environment