When and Why to use Node.js for Web App Development?
The days when JavaScript was used for client-side programming in the past. This area has expanded widely and is being used for side-programming as well. Node.js has played a crucial role in this shift in web application development.
The fundamental factor in creating a web app is efficiency. Node.js is among the top cross-platform JavaScript runtime environments to develop efficient and scalable mobile apps, IoT-based products, REST APIs, and desktop applications.
The sharp increase in the number of websites will lead to a huge demand for web app development. Node.js is the perfect choice for businesses trying to indulge in a cross-platform runtime environment and real-time application. You should read this article to find out when and why you should use Node.js for web app development.
Introduction about the Node.js
Node.js is a programming platform that allows developers to create server-side applications. Node.js applications are written in JavaScript, and they can be run on various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. Node.js also provides a wealth of third-party modules that can be used to create powerful applications. One of the main advantages of Node.js is its scalability. Node.js applications can be easily scaled up or down, depending on the needs of the application. Node.js is also very efficient, as it can handle a large number of concurrent connections with very little overhead. As a result, Node.js is an attractive option for developing scalable and efficient server-side applications.
When should you use Node.js for web app development?
Application monitoring dashboard
One of the most common cases where Node.js is most commonly used for developing performance monitoring systems. It allows you to develop a real-time dashboard and set up a communication channel to collect real-time stats of the user interactions.
Server-Side web applications
Node.js is used effectively to develop classic web applications on the server side. If you make an application that isn’t compute-intensive, and you wish to make the development work easier, you can develop it in JavaScript through JSON storage Object DB like MongoDB.
Data streaming
Streams are crucial objects that let you process data from a source or create data and send it to a particular destination continually. You can find four major streams in Node.js, which are Duplex, Readable, Transform, and Writable. A stream module creates a base API through which objects can be built to implement the stream interface successfully.
Why should you choose Node.js for web app development?
Easy learning curve
One of the top features of Node.js is that it is a Javascript-based system. Since most developers have experience with this coding type and have used JavaScript before, they can seamlessly transition into using Node.js. Moreover, it takes less effort and less time, and you can use the same language for both client-side and server if you use Node.js.
Increased efficiency and productivity
Node.js is popular among developers as it has one of the fastest programming platforms. It only requires a few lines of code, unlike JavaScript. Node.js has a quick I/O performance which enables clients to use the framework for essential routing operations, static file serving, and middleware messaging.
Companies can use Node.js to combine the backend and the frontend teams into one team and increase the efficiency of your company’s various web app development processes.
Large community
Node.js has an active community that helps manage and grow it constantly. Since it has gained considerable popularity, Node.js has a massive team of talented web developers who help in constantly updating the platform.
Experienced web developers easily access numerous ready-made codes and solutions on GitHub. The large Node.js community is constantly growing, and each member strives to contribute by offering reliable and proficient solutions.
Easy Scalability
Since Node.js is easily scalable and incredibly fast, it is the most preferred option for large businesses. Because it operates on the V8 engine, Node.js has an incredibly fast computing speed that can promote traffic on mobile and web portals.
Asynchronous architecture
Node.js provides a non-blocking asynchronous architecture that allows enterprises and start-ups to develop real-time mobile applications with increased responsiveness and performance.
Decreased response time
Node.js has a single-threaded event loop model, which assists in more convenient managing of concurrent user requests, avoiding more threads and hence using lesser resources.
Rich ecosystem
Another top feature that puts Node.js among the other top-rated platforms is its vast library of various modules. The ready-to-use tools available on Node.js allows for a considerable boost in development performance.
V8 Engine
It is a JS engine that was created by Google that helps in converting code written in JavaScript into machine code that offers extremely quick execution.
Cost-effective
Developing web apps through Node.js does not need a massive investment. Numerous research studies have proven that enterprises that use Node.js for web app development need less computing power to host them.
Long term support
Node.js, after every big release of Node.js, will be maintained carefully for at least 18 months from the date it enters long-term support (LTS). Currently, there are no features combined with the existing version.
However, all the security updates and bug fixes are taken care of by their professional team. More than 62% of developers prefer long-term support for the web app and hence find that Node.js is the best option.
Provides liberty to develop apps
Developers won’t feel as though they are restrained by any guidelines or rules on using Node.js, as it allows them to create everything from scratch while creating any application.
Advantage of Caching
Node.js has an open-source runtime atmosphere that allows caching single modules. If there is any request for the initial module, there is no need to re-execute codes since caching enables apps to load the web pages quicker and respond more easily.
Extremely extensible
Node.js is widely known for being extremely extensible. This is because it allows you to further extend and customize Node.js according to the project’s specific needs.
Works well with Microservices
Node.js is the best for your business as its technology makes it more convenient for you to use microservices for various projects. It also helps majorly in assisting the serverless approach. Hence, it is way more effective in enterprise-grade projects.
Conclusion
If you want an intense platform to create scalable, faster, and efficient web apps, then Node.js is your best choice. You can use it to develop programming robots or drones, develop an IoT-based system, or create complex real-time web apps. Many top companies have started using Node.js and have reaped many benefits.