What is Node.js?
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment that executes JavaScript code outside of a web browser.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted programming language that is one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web, alongside HTML and CSS. It is used to make web pages interactive and dynamic.
Difference between Node.js and JavaScript in the Browser:
- Browser is a Client-side Environment.
- Node.js is a Server-side Environment.
| Feature | Node.js | JavaScript in the browser |
|---|---|---|
| Execution environment | Server-side | Client-side |
| Primary use | Server-side programming | Web development |
| DOM manipulation | No | Yes |
| Access to browser APIs | No | Yes |
| Access to file system | Yes | No |
| Event loop | Single-threaded | Multi-threaded |
What is Node.js used for in Software Development?
Node.js is a open source software development tool. It can be used for developing web applications, server-side scripts, network applications and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Examples Use Cases of Node.js:
- Developing Web Applications: Used to develop web applications using JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, Express.js, Vue.js or more JS frameworks.
- Server-side Scripts: Used to create server-side scripts that can handle requests and responses from web servers.
- Network Applications: Used to build network applications like chat apps or real-time data streaming applications.
- Internet of Things (IoT) applications: Used to develop IoT applications that collect data from sensors, process it, and communicate with other devices or cloud services.
Downloading and Installing Node.js
What are the system requirements for installing Node.js on Windows?
- Operating system: Windows 7 SP1 or later
- Processor: 1.6 GHz or faster
- RAM: 2 GB or more
- Hard disk space: 2 GB or more
Node.js Installation Steps:
Step 1: Download Node.js ‘.msi’ installer
Download Node.js for Windows from the official Node.js website: https://nodejs.org/en/download/
Note: You do not need to install any other software to run Node.js on Windows. The installer will automatically install all of the required dependencies.
Step 2: Run the downloaded Node.js ‘.msi’ installer setup
Step 3: Add the Node.js path to System Environment Variables
Step 4: Verify Node.js installation.
Run this command in cmd: node -v
Step 5: Update the Local npm version.
Run this command in cmd: npm install npm –global
Node.js Post-Installation Quick Guide:
How to verify that Node.js is installed correctly on my Windows computer?
To verify that Node.js is installed correctly on your Windows computer, open a command prompt and type the following command:
node -v
This should print the version of Node.js that is installed on your computer.
How to update Node.js to the latest version?
To update Node.js to the latest version, you can use the following command in a command prompt:
npm install -g npm@latest
This will update npm, which will then update Node.js to the latest version.
How to uninstall Node.js from my Windows computer?
To uninstall Node.js from your Windows computer, follow these steps:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on "Programs and Features".
- Select "Node.js" and click on "Uninstall".
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
FAQs:
Q: Node.js is Build on which JavaScript engine?
A: Node.js built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine.
Q: What is the difference between Node.js and JavaScript?
A: Node.js is a runtime environment that executes JavaScript code, while JavaScript is a programming language. Node.js provides the necessary environment and tools to run JavaScript code outside of a web browser.
Q: What is a Node.js REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop)?
A: Node.js REPL is an interactive environment where you can enter JavaScript code and see the results immediately. This is useful for testing code snippets and experimenting with Node.js features.