💻 What is Node.js.?

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript code outside of the browser. Unlike traditional JavaScript, which is executed in the browser, Node.js runs on the server-side, making it possible to write server-side applications with JavaScript.

Key features of Node.js:

  • Non-blocking, event-driven architecture: Node.js is designed to handle multiple connections at once. This makes it great for building real-time applications (e.g., chat apps, live updates).

  • Single-threaded: It uses a single thread for handling requests, which is efficient due to its asynchronous nature.

  • Built on V8 Engine: Node.js uses Google's V8 JavaScript engine, the same engine used in Chrome, making it fast and reliable.

💻 How to Install Node.js

To get started with Node.js, you need to install it on your system.

Steps:

  1. Go to the official Node.js website:
    https://nodejs.org

  2. Download the latest stable version:
    You will see two versions available for download:

  • LTS (Long-Term Support): Recommended for most users.
  • Current: The latest features, but may not be as stable as LTS.
  1. Install the downloaded package: Follow the installation wizard for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). The installation will include both Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager).

💻 Using Node.js in the Terminal

Once Node.js is installed, you can start using it directly from your terminal or command prompt.

How to check if Node.js is installed:

Open your terminal (Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).

Type the following command and press enter:

node -v

This will display the installed version of Node.js.

How to run a simple Node.js script:

  1. Create a new file called app.js.
  2. Open it and write a simple JavaScript code: 
console.log("Hello, Node.js!");

  1. Save the file and go to your terminal.

  2. Run the script with the command:

node app.js

You should see the output:

Hello, Node.js!

💻 What is npm?

npm stands for Node Package Manager, and it is a tool that allows you to manage and install libraries (packages) that you can use in your Node.js projects. It comes bundled with Node.js, so you don’t need to install it separately.

Key features of npm:

  • Install packages: Easily install packages and libraries to add new features to your project.
  • Manage dependencies: Automatically manage versions of libraries and dependencies.
  • Run scripts: Define and run custom scripts in your project.

Example of using npm:

1.Initialize a new Node.js project: In your project folder, run:

npm init

This will create a package.json file that holds your project metadata and dependencies.

2.Install a package: To install a package, such as Express (a popular Node.js framework), run:

npm install express

This will add Express to your node_modules folder and update package.json.

Conclusion

Node.js is a powerful tool for building server-side applications using JavaScript. With the help of npm, you can easily manage your project dependencies and libraries. Whether you're building simple scripts or complex applications, Node.js provides the flexibility and speed to make your development process faster and more efficient.