What NodeJs means? And why developers like using it?

When it comes to the turn of software development, web developers always consider new technologies that are on trend. Node.js is a term which is most often heard among software developers these days. We cannot solely think Node.js as a very new term in the field of technology, but node.js developers find plenty of aspects that make them comfortable working with it., thus leading to its popularity. As a result you can trace out a great number of blogs, articles, and tweets on the same topic. This article expands the basic concept, what node.js is? And why programmers utilize it?

Node.js

To explain it in pure terms, it is a platform based on Chrome’s JavaScript runtime to help web developers to create “networking applications” so rapidly. It makes use of very lightweight I/O models for the development of effective as well as ‘real-time’ applications that can be used over various devices. This run-time environment utilizes Google’s V8 JavaScript engine for the development of perfect applications.

Why developers love to use Node.js?  

Most importantly, Node.js runs on server-side technology, and is single threaded, and event-driven. The event driven programmes work by keeping a great flow while we use it in massive applications that make use of ‘loops’ quite often. Thus Node.js becomes an apt platform to create applications that work as live ones, say an “instant chatting application”.

Single threaded means it utilizes one CPU only. Node.js really excels in the development of chat applications. The ability of Node.js to run across distributed devices, the light-weight structure, and the data-intensive structure are the facets that help Node.js developers when creating chat applications. The server-side components in this platform are elegantly  designed. In addition to all these, a refined delivery system in Node.js acts so perfectly by providing users a superb chatting experience.

The in-built JSON stored data helps Node.js to act wonderfully, having no blocks while displaying data from database objects. A developer can easily display JSON objects by using a REST API. In the process, developers can skip the requirement of a more than one conversation, for in Node.js they are using a uniform set of data.

Together with all these options, developers can produce excellent results with  Node.js when they use it in Data streaming, PROXY server-side applications, queued inputs, and in dashboards that display stock-broking, system monitoring so on. In short, it is a platform which can be used to work-out wonders with all server-side web applications.

Conclusion 

Node.js developers should be aware of the fact that there are some applications in which the use of the run-time environment is not recommended. There are applications that call for massive computation or processing. In these kind of applications, the use of Node.js will bring performance lag. As mentioned in this article, it works on a single core, and is a great platform to use while creating real-time applications. Node.js is developed to fix I/O scaling issues, not compute scaling puzzles, as plain and easy to put it in right terms.

Things that are anew in Node.js 4.0

Node.js as a powerful run-time JavaScript environment has gone through a series of changes from its date of introduction. Every update, and changes made to the codes of Node.js have always given predominant scope for a Node.js developer to improve their creativity. The success story never ends with the recent update of Node.js to 4.0.0, as well. The release of this new version makes an attempt to include all the traits of io.js to Node.js, as well. Both these platforms follow different work schema, and developers have successfully done the mix-up of io.js and Node.js, and the new converged version of Node.js 4.0.0 has been launched. The project io.js works on a semantic version, and the converged version of Node.js is made to work on a semver scheme<major>.<minor>.<patch> to avert collisions with the main code line of Node.js. Anyhow, the project is successfully implemented.

Then...What will you find anew?

When developers use the new version of Node.js, they do not have to break the API alterations, to avoid it a simple path is provided. Google’s V8 JavaScript engine forms to be the base of both Node.js and io.js. The node 0.12 version was using 3.28x JavaScript engine, and in the new version of Node.js the latest version 4.5 is used.

Node.js projects are mostly created using native modules. Codes use C++ may usually clash with the V8, and thus end in the breaking of modules. The use of Nan, an abstraction library complete with Macros as well as various API will provide developers an absolute solution to avert these clashes. Build at least a module which makes use of Nan. Then your Node.js 4.0.0 projects will run smoothly. All the native modules developed previously should be redefined with Nan 2.x to function comfortably with Node.js 4.0.0.

Features that the new Node.js version support is many such as Block scoping with let and const, elaborate set of classes, and empowered Generators for future use. In shot, the existing ES6 gets extended with fantastic features for advanced functioning.

Perhaps the most important drawback of Node.js is the sluggish performance. With the addition of new traits, the functioning of Node.js is improved to 25%. Still, in most of the occasions we cannot expect it too be too fast, but the difference in performance is clearly visible while using Node.js 4.0.0.

Most importantly, Long term Support for the latest version was also implemented. We can expect the release of LTS versions in 12 months time. Once you start using the LTS version, you can depend on it comfortably for another 30 months. LTS support is one of the most important aspects of this new version, hence developers can find more details about it by referring to the devoted LTS sub-projects available on GitHUb, and even on Wiki page.

Summing up

An expert Node.js developer can start comfortably working with the new version without much difficulties. Small changes to the existing projects may help them, and it demands only proper maintaining for receiving the exclusive update of Node.js. It is worth to spend on Node.js 4.0.0 ,for it is capable of improving your website- building projects to a higher level.

5 The Best Books for the Developers to Learn Node.js Effectively

Node.js written in JavaScript is the great framework which is taken by the storm of millions of promising and potential developers to work with. Before taking this framework in the hands to develop the web application, any developer has to know some in-depth insights about the Node.js. Today, we are going to discuss 5 the best and useful books for the developers to learn Node.js effectively.

What is Node? By Brett McLaughlin

If you are very new to the Node.js framework, then, ‘what is Node?’ this book is written by Brett McLaughlin is very useful and informative. It is a very basic book that helps you to understand what is a Node? What is the purpose of using Node? Where to use Node? And for what kinds of projects you can implement Node?

To the point, this book explains about the basic concept of Node.js with the excellent citation. You may find the book to be very short and also looks like an essay or an article on the introduction of Node. But, its specialty is that it does give you clarity regarding Node.js and also does fairness to the title.

Node: Up and Running by O’RELLY

It is the helpful book for the developers who have a fair understanding of JavaScript and programming. This book from O’RELLY is a great one that helps you to gain an in-depth sight about the programming knowledge of Node.js.

It greatly speaks about the introduction of how to develop a highly-scalable web development framework written in JavaScript. The developers can ease the work of splitting the application logic between client and server side with the real-time explanations of Node.js in this book.

You can also come to know about its event loop architecture that how it greatly reduces the complexity and develops your server programming safe and easy. On the whole, it is the neat book for the developers to make out their own server-side web application.

Smashing Node.js: JavaScript Everywhere by Guillermo Rauch

Have a huge experience in JavaScript and want directly jump into the Node.js, then reference and knowledge you gain from this book helps to develop a user-friendly web application rapidly.

Smashing Node.js is the great book that enhances your ability in the Node.js even further. It encloses all necessary tools and features for developing an efficient web application. It also demonstrates the high-scalability web server knowledge of Node.js and also explains how to utilize the resources optimally in your web application.

Learning Node.js: A Hands-On Guide to Building Web Applications in JavaScript by Marc Wandschneider

Being a node.js developer, you can’t avoid the Learning Node.js book which will be yours on the hand guide for building a web application in the safest JavaScript. The book begins with the basic information of Node.js, event looping concept and non-blocking coding and concludes with voluminous practical information of Node.js. 

All through the book, it covers the development process of the server-side web application for all small, medium and large-scale web application.

Node.js the Right Way- Practical, Server-Side JavaScript That scales by Jim R. Wilson

If you aspire to become a great Node.js developer and programmer, this is the right book that you have to choose with. Get a head start to your new web application with this modern server side JavaScript programming based book by Jim R Wilson.  

This book is the right way to make a real-time and quality server-side application with ease. It helps you to clarify all your doubts in developing an exceptional web application in the framework with the real-time citation.

It briefly describes how to create a wide range of web application of any type like small, fast, low-profile, useful, and network application. It also gives guidelines for you to write non-blocking and asynchronous code in the special way of Node.js framework.

Final words

These 5 great books give you an in-depth knowledge about Node.js and also get the practical awareness that lead you to create an effective and efficient web server based application with ease.

Reliable Tutorials& Resources to ease your Node.js development

It was way back in 2009, Ryan Dahl introduced Node.js to the world of technology. The event driven model popularized by this server side and runtime JavaScript environment earned a fame among all web developing communities. All prominent Node.Js developers have the advantage of designing activities that require the use of loops a lot. It is evident in live chatting programmes as well as in instant messaging applications created with Node.js. The greatest merit of Node.js as a run time Java environment is that it has event loops in the form of language constructs itself. Sufficient amount of Node.js tutorials are available over the web, still a novice programmer will find it as a difficult task to pick the right resources. In this extract, an attempt is made to highlight authentic tutorials and resources in which users can find trustworthy technical details about Node.js development.

Lynda.com

It is one of the best web spaces in which users can find free video tutorials about doing many of the tasks in Node.js. Users will find the website useful for it is complete with valid information about coding with Node.js. It suits the uses of beginners as well. It brings in detailed video tutorials as explained by eminent Node.js programmers.

Tutsplus.com    

Much similar to Lynda.com, Tutsplus is an another instance of websites that deliver authentic video tutorials about programming. Any beginner can search out Tutsplus.com, and type the title of needed technology in the search tab provided in it. It has plenty of video tutorials that explain Node.js codes for the creation of various tasks related to the web such as, “ writing Node.js Addons” and “Social authentication of Node.js Apps with Passport” so on. Tutsplus.com offer excellent tutorials about website designing as well as development in general.

Tutorialspoint.com 

Tutorialspoint.com is another dedicated website which offers trustworthy details for Node.js development. It has a very good library which presents specifics of web development with various run-time environment such as Node.js and frameworks like Angular.js. Users can check out intelligent category separations like Coding Ground, tutorials library, and even an image editor. Useful Node.js tutorials are given under the head of programming which comes under the main category of tutorials library. In that interested programmers can find another valid guidances on objectiveC, and C#, so on.

Nodetuts.com 

Nodetuts.com belongs to the same range of Tutsplus.com, but only difference is that programmers will find Node.js video tutorials only in Nodetuts.com. You will get a series of episodes categorized under the heads like Asynchronous Programming, TCP Servers, HTTP API servers, and Tools, Tips, and Tricks. Entire codes of particular tasks are properly explained in this website without any flaw.

Nodebeginner.org   

If you are a programmer standing at the first level when it comes to Node.js, you will find no better resource than Nodebeginner.org. Everything users wish to check out about developing application as well as excellent interfaces with Node.js is explained here. It is a link which is not to be missed out when we deal with Node.js.

Summing it up 

Node.js is a powerful run-time Java environment which provides developers with exceptional choices to create lively websites and applications that promote activities like live chatting. Hence a detailed knowledge of this technology is recommended to deal with it without any flaws. Node.js developers can rely on these resources to make the development process extremely effortless, and valuable.

Some Tips for Ensuring Optimal Performance of your Node.js Apps

The growth of Node.js is indeed tremendous. Its popularity is now far and wide. Node.js, with its applications written in JavaScript, is a cross-platform run time environment. A Node.js developer is provided with an event driven architecture. Also, an application's scalability and throughput are optimized easily because Node.js provides non-blocking I/O Application Programming Interface. With the JavaScript and modules, the web servers creation and networking tools creation is enabled by Node.js. The elegant API eases the complexity in developing server applications.

Coming to the performance part, an application should be easy to debug, refactor and develop. These days, Node.js has become very important for enterprises. APM or Application Performance Management as a solution can assist enterprises to monitor applications in real-time. APM can also help to drill down into call stacks. The other main advantage of APM is that it helps in finding out performance bottlenecks during live production. That said, how to get the optimal performance of Node.js applications? Here are some tips.

Ensure end-to-end visibility of Node.js application environment:

Application performance management automatically finds application topology and interdependencies. APM can also trace important business transactions which are based on production application behavior. Also, the solution of yours must be used in such a way to keep track of asynchronous calls done in the Node.js event loop. Make sure that you visualize and also prioritize the end-to-end business transactions performance in addition to application and infrastructure nodes.

Real-time detection of application errors:

Errors, exceptions that come from application components have to be detected in real-time by APM solutions. Performance tracking of various business transactions has to be done continually. This helps in discovering slow transactions which go beyond the actual range of performance. So, it is important to drill down to the real problem. After which, errors have to be fixed and exceptions have to be addressed. Hence, real-time detection eliminates the impact on the end users.

Applications have to be monitored at code-level depth:

The performance issue of any application has to troubleshooted by drilling down to the source code level. You must possess a solution which provides an in-depth monitoring of the application. This should come along with comprehensive call graph for all asynchronous calls which are made from Node.js event loop. Also, by drilling down from a mobile app or web browser, you must be in a position to locate hot spots in the application.

Know your end-user experience:

Keeping the performance of Node.js applications, you must monitor visually your web and mobile user experience. Doing so helps to recognize the code in the application that is negatively impacting the end-user. The issue has to be addressed prior to they sharing the experience on various platforms of social media.

Keep tab on databases and servers performance

For I/O rigorous web applications where frequent non-blocking calls to the databases are made, Node.js is well suitable. Hence, what is very important is to watch the performance of the supporting database, servers in Node.js applications context. Drilling down to the slow queries, stored procedures are required.

Reasons behind preferring Node.js for web application development

Are you aware of the fact that the rapid growth in the use of Node.js has compelled developers to sit back and take note of it? And did you know the fact that many popular and successful web applications and websites have used Node.js? Let your answer be a pronounced Yes or a feeble No. But before knowing which those successful websites are, let us know more about Node.js, and the reasons for it being preferred for web application development, these days. 

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a platform which has been built on Chrome's JavaScript runtime. Its applications are written in Javascript. Also, it is an open source and a cross-platform runtime environment that offers an event-driven architecture. Besides that, it offers a non-blocking I/O API, using which an application's throughput and scalability are optimized.

Notably, Node.js is a perfect choice for data-intensive real-time applications and for sites that are expected to witness a drastic growth in the number of users. On the other hand, an inbuilt library enables applications to act as a web server.

Invented in the year 2009, by Ryan Dahl, Node.js platform uses JavaScript and modules and allows to create web servers and also networking tools.  Also, its applications can be run on various servers – Mac OS X, Microsoft windows, and Unix.

Reasons to use Node.js for web application development:

It's fast:

Fast and scalable network applications can be built as the JavaScript execution is fast. The single threaded model with event loop is also highly helpful and allows handling multiple client requests. It is one of the major advantages of using Node.js for web applications. Due to the presence of event loop in Node.js, there is no necessity of creating more threads, even when the applications receive numerous concurrent client requests. Therefore, the application utilizes less memory.

Sharing is encouraged

It is all fine to share packages of library code. So if any problem a developer faces, The Node Package Manager(npm), with its repository of 50,000 packages, helps the developer with the solutions. Updating, sharing and reusing of code are therefore much easier.

Streams in Node.js

Since Node.js is asynchronous and event-driven, tackling of I/O bound tasks are extremely good. So, what are streams? They are UNIX pipes which enable easy reading of data from the source, and pipe the data to the destination.

Data synchronization between client and server

Data transfer between the client and server happens very quickly because Node.js enables writing JavaScript on both client and server side.

Ideal for real-time applications of Node.Js

If you are intending to build real-time web applications like chat, then it is the Node.js that is suited for its development. Plus, this platform is used in the development of games. Event based server, non-blocking driven server are best suited if the web applications get to handle a large number of real-time users.

The above are some of reasons for developers preferring Node.js for building web applications. Now let us have a look at some of the popular web applications and websites that have used Node.js. Some of them include the ubiquitous LinkedIn, the famed yahoo, the revolutionary Paypal, the successful Ebay, and so on.

Conclusion:

Node.js is certainly promising in the development of web applications, especially the real-time applications. However, for the development of such applications, it is highly imperative to choose a best Node.js development company which has a proven track record. And if you are a web developer, then it the time for you to take note of the gaining popularity of Node.js.