What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows developers to run JavaScript code outside of a web browser. It is built on the V8 JavaScript engine, which is the same engine that powers Google Chrome. Node.js enables server-side programming, allowing developers to build scalable and high-performance applications.

Key Features of Node.js:

1. Asynchronous and Event-Driven
   • Node.js follows a non-blocking, event-driven architecture, making it ideal for handling multiple requests simultaneously.
2. Single-Threaded but Highly Scalable
   • Uses a single-threaded event loop to handle multiple connections efficiently.
3. Fast Execution
   • The V8 engine compiles JavaScript directly to machine code, making it extremely fast.
4. NPM (Node Package Manager)
   • Comes with a package manager (NPM) that provides access to thousands of reusable libraries.
5. Cross-Platform
   • Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Common Use Cases:

• Web servers and APIs
• Real-time applications (chat apps, gaming servers)
• Microservices
• Command-line tools
• Internet of Things (IoT) applications

Installing Node.js:

To get started with Node.js:

1. Download and install it from the official website: https://nodejs.org
2. Verify installation:

   node -v  # Check Node.js version
   npm -v   # Check NPM version
   

Writing Your First Node.js Program:

Create a file app.js and write:

console.log("Hello, Node.js!");

Run it using:

node app.js

Would you like to dive deeper into a specific topic, such as building a simple web server? 🚀