It often happens that something new arrives, and it becomes so popular that you feel regret not learning it earlier. Make sure you never do that with Node.js. If you’re not familiar with it, let me help you.

Are you a passionate web designer or developer? Since how long have you been into web design and development? Being an active web developer, you must have created many web-based applications. Over the last decade, we’ve seen the rising popularity of JavaScript that has brought a lot of changes in web development.

Nowadays, you do a lot of things on the web with the help of JavaScript. If you could go several years back when there was no JavaScript, you just couldn’t do those things that you can do now with ease. And when we’re talking about JavaScript, we just can’t miss Node.js, a novel technology on the web. Here at Templatetoaster website maker, Let’s deep dive into the Node.js framework and learn where to use Node.js.

What exactly is Node.js Framework?

Have you ever heard about the Node.js framework before? Let me give you a brief introduction to Node.js.

It’s a server-side platform, created by Ryan Dahl in 2009. Node.js uses Google’s V8 JavaScript Engine to build fast and adaptable server-side and network applications. Though Node.js is comparatively new, it has already gained enough traction so far. The built-in libraries of this platform are highly capable to handle web requests and responses. Node.js web framework uses asynchronous programming, single-threaded and non-blocking programming highly efficient in memory. It requires no separate web server or any other dependency. The web applications created by Node.js, are written in JavaScript. And most importantly, you can run these applications within Node.js runtime on Microsoft, Mac, and Linux systems. Today, some of the biggest corporate giants like Microsoft, Yahoo, LinkedIn, and PayPal are using Node.js.

Do you know why the Node.js framework is lightweight (in terms of in-memory usage) and an efficient tool?

Just because it uses an event-driven and non-blocking I/O model which is very helpful for data-intensive real-time web applications running on various distributed environments and/or devices. Unlike PHP and ASP, Node.js helps you eliminate the waiting time and simply continue with the next request. So if you’re looking for an open-source and cross-platform runtime environment for web development, Node.js best fits your needs.

Node.js Modules – A Simple Introduction

Modules play a very important role in JavaScript. A module is a set of functions that you can include in your application (optional). There are various Nodes.js modules available in its library which make the web development task through the Nodes.js web framework very easy and simplified. Moreover, I’m showing the list of some built-in Node.js modules along with their description.

  • assert provides a set of assertion tests.
  • buffer handles binary data.
  • child_process runs a child process.
  • cluster splits a single Node process into multiple processes.
  • crypto handles OpenSSL cryptographic functions.
  • dgram provides the implementation of UDP datagram sockets.
  • dns performs DNS lookups and name resolution functions.
  • events handle events.
  • fs handles the file system.
  • http makes Node.js act as an HTTP server.
  • https makes Node.js act as an HTTPS server.
  • net creates servers and clients.
  • os provides information about the operation system.
  • path handles file paths.
  • querystring handles URL query strings.
  • readline handles readable streams one line at a time.
  • stream handles streaming data.
  • string_decoder decodes buffer objects into strings.
  • timers execute a function after a given number of milliseconds.
  • tls implements TLS and SSL protocols.
  • tty provides classes used by a text terminal.
  • url parses URL strings.
  • util allows users to access utility functions.
  • vm compiles JavaScript code in a virtual machine.
  • zlib compresses and decompresses files.

Node.js Latest Version

Node.js 8 has successfully replaced the previous version 7, and now available with unique features. The Node.js LTS (Long Term Support) will be released by October 2017. First and foremost, the LTS release will focus on stability and security. No doubt, if you’re looking for guaranteed stability in web development with the Node.js framework, the upcoming LTS release would be the best fit for your need.

The latest version of Node.js is v8.3.0, and v6.11.2 LTS (Long Term Support). If you’re a network application developer, the latest version offers you plentiful opportunities, Also, you’ll definitely notice a lot of other improvements which will make the user experience better than before. To download the Node.js latest version, you can simply visit the Node.js® website. Moreover, you can find all the required information there.

What’s new in Node.js?

If you’re truly a diehard fan of Node.js, then, you would be happy today. Am I right? How do you feel now when you see the wait is finally over? Many of you would’ve updated your Node.js so far. Do you like the new version? Of course, you do. Above all, it’s Node.js. For those who’re still using the old version of Node.js, I would like to say go and update your Node.js guys. Why? Just because you get these extraordinary features.

1. Use of Async Hooks API

The Async Hooks, formerly known as AsyncWrap, is truly a noticeable feature of the Node.js 8. In order to get updates on life-of-handle objects by structural tracing, you can take the help of the API (Application Program Interface). Moreover, the web developer can easily control the Node.js event loop function by using this latest version.

2. N-API vast advantages

The latest release of Node.js has N-API which is very beneficial for web developers. It can be used for the development of native add-ons. The best part of this feature is that it remains free from underlying JavaScript and separates add-ons from changes in the underlying JavaScript engine.

3. NPM 5 

The latest release of Node.js uses the latest NPM (Node Package Manager) 5, one of the best attributes. Therefore, web developers can use it with no hindrance at all during the development process.

4. Enhanced Buffer Security

The node.js framework contains two buffer types: zero filling buffer and new buffer. And both are added by default. But in the earlier version of Node.js, the memory space was not initialized with zero. Since the Buffer instance contained sensitive information, this was the main reason why a Node.js user faced security issues. As a result, in this latest release, you get enhanced buffer security.

 

Node.js for Web Development

Since its launch, I’ve often seen many web designers and/or developers asking why they should use the Node.js web framework. Well, there are numerous reasons which make Node.js the foremost choice for web application development. Whatever you need to create web applications that are enormous, continuous, and versatile, you get almost everything in Node.js. Since it effectively uses JavaScript, web developers can create web servers and networking tools with ease. No matters which operating system you use, be it Windows, Mac or Linux, you can run its applications comfortably. And, if you have a keen interest to know why you should use the Node.js framework for web development, I’m sharing some topmost reasons below

  • Excellent Running Speed

Node.js has been written in JavaScript, and it uses Google’s V8 JavaScript Engine in order to achieve an excellent running speed. Furthermore, it makes the code running operations much faster than ever by any other tool. As a result, Node.js can increase the speed of any framework with ease. Being a web designer and/or developer, you just need to write the program correctly. After that, Node.js applications will lead the operation further.

  • Ideal for real-time applications

When it comes to real-time applications development like chats and gaming apps, Node.js provides you with some extraordinary features. Furthermore, it’s considered the best solution for the programs which need event-driven as well as non-blocking servers.

  • Smart Sharing

Node.js has a built-in NPM or Node Package Manager, a robust and consistent solution for developers. It provides you with a smart sharing feature. The NPM which includes the repository of 50,000 packages, helps you create effective solutions. And, via NPM, you can update, share as well as reuse the codes with ease and utmost accuracy.

  • Coding Single-Handedly

It’s one of the most impressive aspects of using Node.js for web development. If you’re a web developer, Node.js helps you write JavaScript coding on both server-side as well as client-side. As a result, the task of sending and synchronizing the data between these two points becomes easy and reliable. And, this will surely help you save your valuable time.

  • Advanced-Data Streaming

Generally, the requests and responses from HTTP are taken as isolated events. But the fact is that they’re data streaming. This data streaming feature is extremely helpful with the Node.js framework. Being a web developer, you have an extraordinary advantage if you’re creating features like processing files while they are being uploaded. This will actually reduce the complete processing time. Also, if you’re working on real-time audio or video encoding, this feature will prove to be a boon for you.

  • Act as a Proxy Server

If you want to proxy multiple services with differences in their response time, Node.js offers you some fantastic features. It provides you great help in streaming the data from the different sources. If any enterprise lacks the professional proxy infrastructure, the Node.js framework can act as a proxy server. Also, if you’re using any server-side application for any specific purpose, for e.g. communicating with 3rd party resources, storing images, and/ or data collection, you can use Node.js.

Where to use Node.js?

I hope you’ve become more familiar with the Node.js framework and its aspects. Now you must be wondering where to use Node.js. I’ll help you understand in which areas Node.js can really help you.

  • Single Page Applications.
  • Data-Intensive Real-time Applications (DIRT).
  • Data Streaming Applications.
  • JSON APIs based Applications.
  • I/O bound Applications.

If you’re into web application development and want to create any such applications (aforementioned), you should choose Node.js, your perfect technology partner.

Node.js – Usage Statistics & Market Share

According to a report on the usage of Node.js as a web server, 0.3% of all the websites around the world work on it. In August 2016, it was reported that a total of 0.2% of all the websites were using Node.js. And within a year, it has increased by 0.1%. In the coming days, the usage of Node.js and its community will expand even more rapidly than before. Some of the popular websites using Node.js are Vice.com, Metropca.com, Outbrain.com, Flickr.com, Onedio.com, Dictionary.com, Paytm.com, Streamable.com, Wsj.com, Wunderground.com.

Now let’s talk about the market position of Node.js in terms of popularity and traffic. The Node.js framework is being used by different categories of website, such as Business & Industry (20.37%); Internet & Telecom (7.98%); Arts & Entertainment (7.53%); Shopping (4.54%); and others (59.58%). Refer to this report by SimilarTech on Node.js.

According to the same report of Node.js usage by websites across the globe, United States holds the #1 position. Around 18,337 websites in the United States are using Node.js. After the United States, the countries which come in the top ten are Russia (5212 websites); Brazil (3481 websites); China (2924 websites); France (2845 websites); United Kingdom (2554 websites); India (2141 websites); Germany (1802 websites); Japan (1766 websites); and Canada (1688 websites).

Node.js framework

Node.js framework

Source: Nodesource

Conclusion

We’ve discussed almost everything about the Node.js framework in this article. Starting with its introduction and ending with its benefits and uses. Also, we’ve seen usage statistics and the market share of Node.js. Just keep in mind that Node.js works really well in resolving the I/O scaling problem, but it has no relation with computer scaling problems. If there’s no need to perform CPU intensive operations and access any blocking resources, you should definitely look forward to the Node.js framework.
Since it’s gaining more and more popularity day by day, it can prove to be a turning point for any web development business. So just exploit its vast benefits to enjoy fast, reliable and adaptable network applications. Node.js framework welcomes you to the real-time web.

Final Words

Using Node.js for web designing and development has always been a great idea for years. If you’re learning this latest web technology in the form of Node.js, an excellent web designing tool might interest you as well. You would consequently need it. Let me introduce you to TemplateToaster web design software. It provides you with enough flexibility to design and create responsive and well-optimized websites. If you’re a newbie, you may find it difficult to design themes and templates for a website.

Let this software make this task easy for you. It’s a complete theme design desktop application supporting almost all popular Content Management Systems. You can create beautiful template designs with utmost accuracy. And later, you can export the templates for a CMS in order to use it as a website design. Isn’t that amazing? No matter who you are, an amateur web designer/developer or a professional one. You can use TemplateToaster website builder with great ease.