Node.js is being hailed as the future by some while others are saying that it has more downsides than advantages. This platform has certainly created a heated debate around its usability, but developers need to understand that it has very specific applications for which it works efficiently but using it beyond those applications will not give optimum results. You can’t eat an apple and expect it to give you the nutrients a banana does, like wise Node.js isn’t a solution to every web development problem but has its own applications. You get the brief right?
This is the how Nodejs.org defines Node.js - “Node.js is a platform built on Chrome’s JavaScript runtime for easily building fast, scalable network applications. Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that makes it lightweight and efficient, perfect for data-intensive real-time applications that run across distributed devices.” Node.js is a neat platform when it comes to building chat sites, e-commerce websites, social networking sites and much more. In a short span since its initial release in 2009 Node.js has found takers in biggies like PayPal, Yahoo!, Walmart, LinkedIn, Microsoft and Groupon as a server-side platform. Getting JavaScript into the server environment from the client side environment, node.js has brought quite a paradigm shift.
Some of the upsides of this innovative platform
1. It’s quick and highly scalable
Other systems send queries to the server every second which is highly resource consuming, while Node.js just sends out the data while it exists without sending endless queries and requests. This makes it agile and capable of handling large scale platforms that can scale up to a huge no. of users with ease and dexterity.
2. Gives high performance
Along with reduced server requirement and CPU utilization, Node.js enables quick page loading and reduced response time. This platform facilitates high performance on every level making your work system swift and efficient.
3. It’s easy to modify
Under Node.js applications are written in the form of small modules put together as one application. This makes things developed using Node.js easy to modify without making any major changes to the entire code-base.
4. Enhances productivity
With Node.js acting as a bridge between front-end and back-end development the efficiency of the development process has been enhanced. This helps reduce development time and number of developers required for projects as developer productivity is elevated with the use of Node.js.
Node.js can be used for developing
1. Social Networking Sites
2. Server-Side Web Applications
3. Chatting Applications & Other Real-time Services
4. E-Commerce Sites
Node.js shouldn’t be used for
1. Server-Side Web Application W/A Relational DB Behind
2. Heavy Server-Side Computation
Node.js is not your shot to web development nirvana but it is a blessed platform if used with nimbleness. Use Node.js for the correct kind of projects and you’ll reap overwhelming results. And hey! Remember that Node.js uses JavaScript and works on MySQL so you can get to using it right now as you don’t really need to learn a whole new language or data base technology, neat ain’t it?
We see Node.js as a futuristic platform that bridges the gap between front and back-end development effectively, what’s your take on Node.js? Do you plan to use it in any of your upcoming projects? Let us know through your comments!
Webby Monks
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