What is Node.js, Node.js Home – What is Node.js, Features & Use Cases

Introduction – Why Learn Node.js?

Node.js is a lightweight, efficient, and scalable JavaScript runtime built on Google’s V8 engine. It empowers developers to write server-side code using JavaScript, enabling full-stack development with a single language. From real-time apps and REST APIs to command-line tools and microservices, Node.js is at the core of modern web engineering.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What Node.js is and where it fits in the software stack
• Node.js key features and advantages
• Use cases and limitations
• How companies leverage Node.js for performance

Topics Covered

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime built on Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. It enables JavaScript to run server-side outside the browser, allowing for building scalable, real-time, and networked apps.

Developed by: Ryan Dahl in 2009
Core concept: Non-blocking, event-driven architecture
Extension: .js
License: MIT

// Your first Node.js app
console.log("Hello, Node.js!");

Output:

Hello, Node.js!

Key Features of Node.js

• Asynchronous & Non-blocking: No waiting – processes continue executing
• Fast Execution: Powered by Google’s high-speed V8 engine
• Single Threaded but Scalable: Event loop manages multiple requests efficiently
• Rich Module Ecosystem: Uses npm – largest open-source library system
• No Buffering: Streams data in chunks – ideal for real-time apps
• Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Linux, macOS

Where to Use Node.js?

Node.js excels in:

✔️ I/O Bound Applications
✔️ Data-Intensive Real-Time Applications (DIRT)
✔️ Streaming services
✔️ RESTful APIs
✔️ Single Page Applications (SPA)
✔️ Chat servers or WebSocket apps

Where Not to Use Node.js?

CPU-Intensive Applications:
Use languages like Go or Java for tasks requiring heavy computation, like video rendering or AI model training.

Who Uses Node.js?

Top tech giants and platforms using Node.js:

• eBay
• Uber
• PayPal
• Walmart
• Microsoft Azure
• LinkedIn
• Netflix

Node’s async nature makes it perfect for high-throughput web apps used by millions daily.

Summary – Recap & Next Steps

Node.js allows you to write highly scalable backend apps using JavaScript. With its non-blocking architecture, you can handle thousands of connections without spawning multiple threads.

Key Takeaways:

• Node.js runs on V8 and enables server-side JavaScript.
• Best used for I/O-bound and real-time web applications.
• Highly scalable due to its single-threaded event loop.

Real-World Uses:

• Real-time chat servers (e.g., Slack clones)
• API backends (e.g., for mobile apps)
• Streaming platforms (e.g., Netflix)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Node.js a programming language?
No, Node.js is a runtime that executes JavaScript on the server side using the V8 engine.

Can I use Node.js for frontend development?
Not directly. However, frontend tools like React/Vite/Webpack are often run via Node.js on development servers.

Why is Node.js single-threaded?
It uses a single-threaded event loop to handle multiple concurrent connections efficiently without spawning threads.

Is Node.js good for APIs?
Yes, Node.js is widely used for building fast RESTful APIs with frameworks like Express.js.