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Mobility is always top of the priority list, followed by decision-making skills and real-time information for enterprise businesses.
Node.js has been a great platform for enterprise application development, fulfilling all of the above requirements over the years.
This is one reason for its remarkable growth. Let's take a look at Node.js before we get too deep.
What is Node.js?
Wikipedia states that "Node.js" is an open-source JavaScript runtime environment. It executes JavaScript code without the use of a browser.
Node.js allows app developers to use JavaScript to create command line tools and server-side scripting to run scripts that will generate dynamic web pages before they are sent to the user's browser.
Hence, Node.js represents the "JavaScript everywhere" paradigm. It streamlines the creation of web applications by basing them on a single programming language rather than various dialects for the client- or server-side scripts.
Because it uses push technologies in place of WebSockets for real-time web applications, Node.js excels. What makes Node.js so unique?
It is unique because it replaced an outdated standard that was founded on request-response and a stateless web.
We can now create real-time web applications with two-way connections thanks to Node.js. Data exchange between the server and the client might start the conversation.
This was completely different when the client authorized the communication.
Node.js was first introduced by Ryan Dahl, the 2009 host of the European JSConf. Node.js is an open-source project that is supported by cloud computing and hosting company Joyent.
The Ruby on Rails framework was only one of the technologies that this organization has already invested in. Moreover, it provided hosting for Twitter and LinkedIn.
Moreover, LinkedIn was the first business to use Node.js technology in the creation of the mobile app's backend.
Later, Node.js was adopted by many other companies, such as Walmart, Netflix, and eBay.
Stats Show a Rise in Node.js.
The rise of Node.js does not seem like a common claim. Instead, it is well supported by stats. Below is the graph that shows Node.js' dominance in the IT industry as of 2019.
Another indication of Node.js's popularity is the Indeed Job Trends. It displays the quantity of open positions as well as the rate of skill improvement.
It is important to note that the chart above shows the growth, not the total number of jobs.
Java is still the most popular technology with the largest number of job opportunities. This graph makes it very evident that Node.js is the technology with the fastest rate of growth.
Many would contend that in the beginning, this pattern would apply to all technologies. This is a major event.
You've got the first part right. Any new technology picks up speed right away. This is mainly because startups are always looking to utilize the latest technologies.
Many experimental startups would be willing to try new technology.
Node.js is unique in that it has been adopted by many companies. This is a rare phenomenon and what makes Node.js unique from other technologies.
Other Important Node.js Statistics
- Node.js has been proven to be a successful technology that can boost your business. 70% of companies around the world believe it has improved developer productivity, and helped achieve business goals.
- NodeJS is used for 58% of the world's development time.
- NodeJS has seen a remarkable increase in downloads of around 40% each year.
How Does Node.js Architecture Work?
An event-driven architecture is used by Node JS. The non-blocking nature and asynchronous operation of Node are two characteristics that set it apart in terms of performance.
Large-scale enterprise web applications with plenty of transaction processes (input/output) can also benefit from these features.
Node provides scalable online apps and games in addition to enterprise solutions. This makes real-time communication possible.
Let's look at a restaurant as an example to show the non-blocking, asynchronous nature of Node.jS. There are many tables at a restaurant where customers can order.
The waiter takes the order and notifies the chef.
A waiter can take many orders at once while the chef works on the first one. The waiter can start serving other tables without having to wait for the chef to finish his last preparations.
Node.jS works similarly. Multiple requests can be handled by the same thread that is assigned to handle them. It's like a waiter.
To demonstrate synchronous and blockant nature, the same restaurant might be used. Here, the waiter receives orders from a single table before waiting in the kitchen until the meal is ready.
While your food is being prepared, the waiter cannot take any additional orders.
For such circumstances, each request would need its thread. You can run out of threads if there are any queries.
These scenarios illustrate the anti-productivity of synchronous or blocking nature. Because of these additional requests, you will need to wait while multiple threads become inoperative.
This is how synchronous and non-blocking technologies such as Ruby on Rails or ASP.net work.
What does Node.jS do?
Chrome's V8 JavaScript Engine is used by Node.jS. It utilizes JavaScript and is an event-driven runtime. It employs the non-blocking/event-callback method and provides a single-threaded event-io paradigm that makes it possible to orchestrate all of the concurrent tasks.
The ability to accommodate many connections doesn't require much RAM. Node.js is not just for creating web applications.
You can also use it for:
- Frontends
- Servers and backend
- API development
- Microservices
- Automating and scripting
We now know what Node.js does. Let's find out when to use it.
Where Should Node.js Be Used?
Chat
Chat applications are one of the most popular uses of Node.js. It is a lightweight, data-intensive, and high-traffic application that can be used across all devices.
Because it is simple, it covers all the paradigms and aspects that are not commonly used in Node.js applications. This makes it a great learning tool.
Let's now see how it works.
Let's look at an example: a chatroom where users can exchange messages with each other. Let's use three people as an example who are connected on the message board.
The Express.js server-side program carries out the following two tasks:
- The GET/ request handler that serves the webpage has both a 'Send' button as well as a message board message input initiation.
- A WebSockets server that listens for every message sent by WebSocket clients.
Our HTML page now has two handlers. One is for the click event of the "Send" button. This one is in charge of taking the message from the input and sending it to the WebSocket.
The other monitors the WebSockets client for fresh messages.
When a client posts a message, this occurs.
- The "Send button" click is sent to the browser through a JavaScript handler. It uses a WebSocket client that is linked to the server to transfer the input value to WebSocket.
- The message is received by the WebSocket component on the server-side components, which then broadcasts it to all other connected clients.
- All clients now receive the new message via the push message that WebSockets' client-side component sends to them. They simply need to grab the message content; then, they can update the webpage by adding the latest message to the board.
The easiest and most fundamental illustration is this. Use a basic cache built on Redis for a more reliable option.
API on Top of An Object DB
Node.js can expose data from object DBs, in addition to real-time applications. Node.js can work with JSON-stored data without any data conversion or impedance mismatch.
Rails would be an example. You would need to convert JSON data to binary models.
After that, you can make them available to AngularJS, Backbone.js, and other data-consuming applications as JSON over HTTP.
You can expose your JSON objects along with a REST API to your clients using Node.js.
When reading or writing from your database, JSON transformations are not a concern. You may make things easier by avoiding numerous conversions by using a common data serialization format for server, client, and database.
Data Streaming
Traditional web platforms treat HTTP requests and responses as separate events. They are streams in a more concrete sense.
This allows you to create some truly amazing features. You can, for example, process files as they are uploaded.
Because the data is received via stream, we can process it online. This can be used for audio and video encoding in real time.
This is also possible for proxying among data sources.
Frameworks For Node.js and Their Types
Every web-app technology has a variety of frameworks to support a particular use case during the development process.
Node.js has three types of frameworks.
MVC Framework
The MVC Framework is renowned for segmenting application logic into Views, Models, and Controllers, three independent pieces.
This allows app developers to separate their concerns, which results in easier scaling and maintenance. Express.js is an example of an MVC framework.
Frameworks For Full-Stack MVC
These frameworks can be used to develop real-time applications because they provide a variety of scaffolding, libraries, template engines, and other developing capabilities.
It can also manage the backend and frontend development of applications.
Frameworks for REST API
The framework is known for its ability to build apps in lightning-fast time using a well-respected REST API experience.
This means that you won't need to worry about network application architectures.
Let's now take a look at the most popular Node.js frameworks.
Top Four Node.js Frameworks
Express.js
Possibly Node.js's best framework is Express.js. Express.js is renowned for its traditional coding structure and straightforward design.
Even for individuals with only the most fundamental Node.js programming knowledge, Express.js is simple to learn.
Node's single-threaded design and lightning-fast I/O operations are perfectly complemented by Express. Express is a prerequisite by default for all Node.js applications.
Express is used by many large companies such as IBM, Twitter, Accenture, and Uber.
Let's take a look at some Express features that go beyond backend development.
- Asynchronous programming allows multiple operations to be executed simultaneously.
- A cluster of HTTP helpers makes programs more reusable and easier to understand.
- It enhances client-server communication by adding HTTP headers to URLs. These URLs improve content negotiation by retrieving the precise data that clients or users require.
Koa.js
Koa.js is the best tool for building web services, sometimes referred to as APIs. Koa effectively handles HTTP middleware using a stack-like methodology that makes creating APIs enjoyable and simple.
While many forms of content can be preserved with the same URL, it also normalizes Node faults. This involves translating pages, customizing eCommerce websites, using multiple image formats, and more.
Koa has the advantage of Express with more flexibility and freedom. It also allows for code writing with less complexity.
Let's take a look at some of the features of Koa.js.
- This framework is excellent at managing errors.
- It also comes with cascading middleware
- Allow for more customization and allow app creation from scratch.
- Supports content negotiation, cleaning cache, and proxy.
Socket.io
Real-time applications are developed using the JavaScript library socket.io, which also enables two-way communication between web clients and servers.
You can build apps using this library framework that adheres to the WebSocket development standards.
WhatsApp is an excellent example. It runs incessantly to provide live updates and refresh the background process.
You can also get real-time analytics with just a few lines of code.
Many companies use Socket.io, which has names such as Patreon and Barogo.
Socket.io features include:
- High reliability
- Binary support (with the client-side library or server-side libraries)
- Auto-correction allows for error detection
- Multiplexing support
Read More: How To Deploy Web Application with NodeJS
Hapi.js
Real-time applications are developed using the JavaScript library socket.io, which also enables two-way communication between web clients and servers.
You are able to build apps using this library framework that adheres to the WebSocket development standards.
Hapi is known for its many salient features, such as:
- Secure defaults
- Minimal overhead
- Quick and easy bug fix
- Compatibility with MongoDB and MySQL as well as other databases.
Node.js Benefits for Enterprises
High Performance and Scale
Node.js uses the V8 runtime from Google Chrome and is written in C++ language. It is compatible with multiple OSes and is well-known for its speed.
V8 and Node are subject to frequent updates, security patches, and performance optimizations. V8 also receives support for the latest JavaScript features.
Node.js' event-driven, single-threaded architecture allows for the most effective management of multiple concurrent connections.
For each new request, popular sites frequently create an additional thread. This uses Memory and slows down processing performance.
While Node uses callbacks and an event loop for I/O operations, it runs on a single thread. Node js handles dozens, if not millions, of connections in this way.
This is not all; Node.js also provides scalability and advanced features like cluster modules that assists in load balancing across multiple CPU cores.
Tools like PM2 process manager make it easy to monitor, optimize, and deploy Node applications.
Cross-Functional Teams
Because each dedicated team member is accountable for every step of an app's lifecycle, including creating codes, hosting, testing, and deployment, cross-functional development teams are more effective than silos of expertise.
These experienced teams are made up of subject matter experts from a variety of fields, including infrastructure engineers, quality assurance specialists, frontend experts, and backend experts.
Agile methodology is highly popularizing this style of work. Because startups have a small workforce, this is a common practice.
This type of work is well-known for its agility and innovation, as well as smoother collaborations.
It is challenging to maintain the "This isn't my job" mindset when working in this manner. Instead, everyone contributes to the achievement of a common objective and shares their viewpoints on many issues.
A fantastic tool for cross-functional teams is Node.js. JavaScript bridges the gap between backend programming and frontend development for app developers.
All developers can thus work as full-stack developers without having to learn any additional languages.
This is important because some parts of an application require more attention from the client, while others need to be viewed more closely on the server-side.
JavaScript is a skill that full-stack developers can use.
Node Package Manager
The Node package manager, popularly known as "npm," includes an enterprise edition that addresses security and privacy issues in large businesses.
Npm is a tool that helps with the installation, upkeep, and use of modules, which are small pieces of open-source software.
Common features don't need to be invented from the start by programmers. Also, it helps them in avoiding complexity.
The npm enterprise version is a fantastic choice for large enterprises because they can save their data in the cloud without concern.
With Npm enterprise, they may run the npm infrastructure from behind their firewall.
It gives the business access to high-level security features and a private registry.
These features allow them to detect vulnerabilities and control access to code. They also enable the automatic replacement of unsecure code.
Long-term Support
Because things are constantly changing, the IT industry is unpredictable. It is subject to the rise and fall of technology.
Technologies can sometimes become less effective before receiving long-term support (LTS). The creation and maintenance of an app developed in an out-of-date language are challenging for developers.
Most developers start with Node.js in this situation. According to the Node.js user report for 2018, 61% of developers value Node.js' LTS (long-term support).
The future of their application may be better predicted by developers, allowing them to better plan for future development.
All major Node.js releases are maintained for 18 months after it enters into the LTS. Then, it goes into maintenance mode, which will last 12 months.
This period will not see any new features; however, the team will continue to update security and fix bugs.
Cross-Platform Development
Node.js lets you create cross-platform desktop apps for platforms like Electron or NW.js. This enables you to transfer portions of your online app code to the Windows or macOS desktop version.
Now that we've got that out of the way, the same team that is developing the web app can also create a desktop version without needing any knowledge or expertise in Objective-C, C#, or other native app development languages.
The Google Chrome Developer Tools are just one of the fantastic resources available to Node developers. They can use this to the backend on the client side, profile, and debug desktop applications.
All major Node tools are cross-platform. Developers don't have to use Windows machines for Windows apps or a Mac for debugging, building, and writing macOS apps.
Microservice Pattern
Every undertaking begins small. Many people favor an MVP release. The user's expectations grow when more features are added to the app over time.
Before you realize it, you can find yourself in charge of a sizable project that is beyond your capacity. The app becomes more complex over time, making it difficult to make even a small change.
This can be a problem for any company. This is a common situation for them. Let's say, for example, that your marketing app serves three important and distinct areas: CMS, reporting, and email marketing.
One feature will be used more frequently by your users than the others. Also, it's possible that some people will entirely disregard the other features and utilize just one (like the CMS).
You'll need additional processing power as your user base increases if you don't want the program to crash.Scaling just the CMS is another option because it and other features can easily handle the traffic demand.
It's impossible to use monolithic apps to scale the entire system.It's also difficult to manage complex applications and check the efficiency of large teams working behind them, as we have discussed.
Thank God there is a solution. It's the microservices model.Microservice is simply a self-contained unit that is part of a larger application.Splitting your application into smaller pieces allows you to scale them and then deploy them separately.
You can also seek the assistance of other programming languages and teams to write and test your apps. This means that you could have different teams from different countries working independently on different parts of the same application.
It is easier to manage smaller teams. You don't have to deploy the entire codebase every time you make any changes to an app section.
Conclusion
The future of enterprise application development will revolve around Node.js. Many Fortune 100 organizations have utilized it to enhance their enterprise-grade apps.
Cyber Infrastructure.Inc is also an expert in Node.js mobile application development
Cyber Infrastructure.Inc has developed an app that allows restaurants to order food on-demand and then have the delivery men pick up their orders.
Our mobile app developers have used Node.js to build a fully customizable admin panel. Assignment of tasks and order administration is made simple by this.
Our engineers used Node.js to produce a client-specific, incredibly scalable, and cross-platform solution. The best site to locate node.js developers is Cisin.com.
