Node.js, JS runtime basics

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What is Node.js?

Node.js® is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine.
It is an engine that allows you to run Javascript scripts outside of a browser.
With the ability to run JavaScript locally on our machine and the contribution of a rich number of packages from a large community, the possibilities for JavaScript are endless.

What is NPM?

• Node package manager: is a place where you can find and download node packages.

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Why Node.js?

• Asynchronous and Non-blocking I/O: Node.js is built on an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, which makes it well-suited for handling high levels of concurrent requests and real-time applications. This architecture allows Node.js to handle many connections simultaneously without blocking other operations, making it highly scalable and efficient.
• Extensive Package Ecosystem: Node.js has the Node Package Manager (npm), which is the largest package registry for any programming language. npm provides access to thousands of open-source libraries and modules that can be easily integrated into your projects, saving development time and effort.
• Performance and Scalability: Node.js is known for its excellent performance due to its lightweight and efficient architecture. It can handle a large number of concurrent connections with low memory usage, making it well-suited for building highly scalable applications.
• Microservices Architecture: Node.js is often used in microservices architectures, where applications are built as a collection of small, independent services. The lightweight and modular nature of Node.js make it ideal for building and deploying microservices, allowing for flexibility, scalability, and easy maintenance.