Why Use NodeJS | 10 Reason To Select Node Web Development

Web development has received massive transformational changes due to JavaScript as a programming language and data format (JSON). Recently, integrating Node.js for web development on the server or in the browser is an increasing trend.

According to a survey conducted by Node.js in 2018 said that around 85% of people use Node.js for web application while 43% of respondents indicated that they use Node for enterprise app development.

So, the bottom line of the survey is that Node is growing well as the best web development technology. So, our focus, in this article, will be over what makes Node.js great and why you should apply this for your project, whatever it may be.

By the way, we’ll also explain to you what project Node can be used for.

Before we begin, we would like to clarify that Node is completely technological stuff which only programmers and coders can quickly grasp it.

However, our effort is to simplify this and make it as light-some as possible to explain things in more human terms so everyone on the page can understand it well.

So, Let’s Get Started…

Why is Node.js so popular?

The simple answer to this question is that it has provided developers with an easy tool to develop even complex web application with ease and efficiently.

It’s a matter of bliss to have real-time 2-way communication such as the flawless communication between server-side and client-side. And that, in result, divide the workloads between a service provider that we know as Server and service request that we know as Clients.

According to Statista survey based on the most used libraries, frameworks and tools among developers, 49.6% respondent worldwide said that they use Node.js for web development. Whereas some other statistical info suggests that it has around 3.5 million developers work with Node.js while there are 450,000 websites based the technology.

What Node.js Stands for?

Node is a JavaScript runtime environment based on Google’s “Chrome v8 engine” (as suggested by Node itself). That means the ‘run-time environment stands for infrastructure on which software is to be developed and run. Whereas some other sites like Wikipedia say, “Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript run-time environment that executes JavaScript code outside of a browser.”

So, Why Use Node.js?

That’s the potential question that everybody, who want to develop a project on Node, needs to seek an answer for.

“To me, Node.js is the awesome run-time environment for developers who want to create robust web applications. In short, when it comes to Full Stack, Front-end and Back-end development, Node is a significant player,” says Saurabh Barot, CTO at Aglowid IT Solutions.

So, if you ask any expert developers, they will show plenty of benefits of using Node.js for your projects.  However, there many who still shy away from using Node in their projects, due to its JavaScript roots or other reason they dislike too. However, the information may be wrongly grasped, and if you have not yet to look seriously into Node, we have got some expert suggestions here for you. Just go through it and explore the potential of using Node.js.

Here are the top 10 reasons why use Node.js with your next project in hand;

1. Easy to Learn

Node is based JavaScript run-time environment that makes Node.js right spot for beginners, to begin with. It is also a great choice when it comes for seasoned developers to opt out the best tool for their projects. JavaScript is simple to learn, and the fact of the matter is that every developer is familiar with JavaScript. Over the years, JavaScript has evolved as one of the most favored programming languages, and JS has also transformed itself according to the latest modern programming needs. So, it easy yet gives plenty of new things for expert developers to learn every time they use.

2. Supports Faster Development

Node uses Google’s Chrome V8 engine which compiles JavaScript into native machine code. And that, in turn, executes the JavaScript with maximum or lightning speed. More than that, Node.js is powered by event loop single thread which asynchronously performs the I/O operations. When I/O operation runs in Node.js application, there is a range of asynchronous tasks to the event loop which is empowered by a callback function. As a result, the operation execution continues. Besides, there are plenty of things such as the common tasks in Nodejs Development like reading/writing to the file system, and reading/writing to the database perform faster.

3. Multiple Modules, Community Support

Node.js is powered by NPM (Node Package Manager) which is fast, robust and consistent which helps in specifying and installing dependencies and overshadows the complexities. The NPM keeps packages isolated from other projects which enable developers to avoid versioning conflict. Grunt, on the other hand, is a vulnerable task runner that also gives a boost to your project. Besides, It has broad community support which makes things easy for developers who find things (development) strange sometimes.

4. Keeps Data in Native JSON

It turns out to be a great help when you can use the same language as client, server and database side. Importantly, you can keep data in JSON format everywhere -from browser to disk. The reason for your cheer is that you don’t need to translate from client data to server data. However, in the case of others, you can translate for the client and server side, but not for the database as it requires more translation. That’s where Node.js wins the race by offering you extend the JavaScript to persistent layer altogether.

5. Create Real-Time Apps

Node.js is an excellent option when it comes to building real-time and multi-tasking applications like chat and game applications. Event loop feature of Node.js takes care of the multi-user requirement while the WebSocket protocol takes care of real-time power. WebSocket protocol successfully establishes a two-way communication channel between server and client and that enables both to push data simultaneously.  The protocol runs over TGP that allows it to avoid HTTP.

6. One Codebase

Using Meteor, which is the next generation web framework built on the top of Node that runs on a single code base. Developers, with the support of Meteor, can write web app which runs on a single codebase, automatically synchronizes data between client and server. For example, when you write code client, it saves the data directly the database and that data transferred to the server automatically.

7. Excellent Choice for Data Streaming

If you are planning to build live video/audio streaming application, then hiring Nodejs Developer is the superb choice to go with. Since it excellently handles I/O -Input/Output, developers have an advantage here create an app which can transcode file such as audio and video while they are being uploaded. I/O here helps cutting down the processing time.  Node.js is empowered to read/write streams WebSockets which enables the webpage to execute the operation in real-time.

8. Sponsored by Top Brands & Linux Foundation

Most of the open-source project faces abandonment, and that’s the huge drawbacks for any frameworks, libraries, and tools. In the case of Node, it is sponsored by top corporate volunteer maintainers that include Joyent, Microsoft, Paypal, Walmart, and others. More than that, Node is the part of Linux foundation which ensures users that Node is going to enjoy a long and active life.

9. Multiple Hosting Options

As the use of Node.js is growing by leaps and bounds, the hosting is proliferating. For example, Xervo which is provided by Paas (Platform-as-a-Service) along with other hosting provider help you get rid of the stress of deploying it as you can do it with a single command.

10. Universal -Every Developer Knows JS

Last but not the least, JavaScript has been ruling the tech industry for a long time -even before when Node was in its infancy. Therefore, it is evident that every developer, at least a little, coded JavaScript. So, working with JS becomes handy for most developers and is known to almost 99% of developers worldwide.

What Project Node.js Used for?

The term ‘why use Node.js’ itself defines ‘what projects should you use Node for. However, to make your understanding crystal clear, here’s the list of projects which best suited for the Node.js environment.

Audio/Video Streaming Application

Single Page Web Applications

Chat Applications

Web Applications

APIs

Dashboards

Wrapping Up

Node.JS is the dearest choice to developers as they can easily create a dynamic web application. At the same time, it makes developers multi-tasking such it can be utilized as Full Stack Development, Front-End development, and Back-End development. That’s the beauty of Node.js. However, selecting the web development technology without going through it benefits for the projects may land you in a sea of confusion. Remember: one size does not fit all. Therefore, one development framework, library or tool may fit for all projects.