Step-by-step tutorial to get you started with Node js

In recent years, Node.js has gained immense popularity among developers for building high-performance and scalable web applications. Powered by Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript on both the client and server sides, providing a seamless and consistent development experience. we will explore the key features and benefits of Node.js and delve into why it has become a top choice for building modern web applications.

Understanding Node.js:

Node.js is a runtime environment that enables server-side JavaScript execution. It utilizes an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, which allows it to handle a large number of concurrent requests efficiently. This non-blocking I/O model, along with its single-threaded architecture, makes Node.js highly scalable and capable of handling real-time applications.

Key Features and Benefits:

  • Fast and Lightweight: Node.js is built on the V8 engine, which compiles JavaScript code to machine code at runtime, resulting in fast execution. Its lightweight nature makes it suitable for microservices architectures and cloud deployments.
  • Event-driven Architecture: Node.js utilizes an event-driven approach, where requests are handled asynchronously through callbacks or promises. This enables high concurrency, making it ideal for applications with a large number of simultaneous connections, such as chat applications or real-time analytics systems.
  • NPM Ecosystem: Node Package Manager (NPM) is a vast ecosystem of reusable open-source libraries and modules. With over a million packages available, NPM provides developers with a wide range of tools and libraries to expedite development and enhance productivity.
  • Full-stack JavaScript: Node.js enables developers to use JavaScript on both the client and server sides, allowing for code reuse and consistent programming paradigms. This full-stack JavaScript approach streamlines development and simplifies maintenance.

Use Cases of Node.js:

Node.js is suitable for various use cases, including:
  • Web Applications: Node.js excels at building scalable web applications, especially those requiring real-time communication, such as chat applications, collaboration tools, and social media platforms.
  • API Development: With its lightweight and fast nature, Node.js is an excellent choice for building efficient and scalable APIs to serve data to client applications or mobile apps.
  • Microservices: Node.js is well-suited for microservices architectures, where small, independent services communicate with each other. Its event-driven model and small memory footprint make it an ideal choice for building microservices-based systems.
  • Data Streaming: Node.js's stream module allows for efficient processing of large data streams, making it an excellent fit for applications dealing with real-time analytics, file processing, or media streaming.

Famous Companies Using Node.js:

Node.js is trusted by many leading companies, including:

  • Netflix: Netflix utilizes Node.js for building its UI components, enhancing performance and streamlining development.
  • PayPal: PayPal leverages Node.js to power its developer portal, offering developers a smooth and efficient experience.
  • LinkedIn: LinkedIn uses Node.js for server-side rendering, providing fast and dynamic content delivery.

Step by Step guide for develop node application as below

Step 1: Set Up Your Environment

Install Node.js by visiting the official Node.js website (https://nodejs.org) and downloading the appropriate installer for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Verify the installation by opening a command prompt or terminal window and running node -v and npm -v to check the installed versions of Node.js and npm, respectively.

Step 2: Create a Project Directory

Create a new directory for your Node.js project. Open a command prompt or terminal and navigate to the project directory using the cd command.

Step 3: Initialize a Node.js Project

In the project directory, run the following command to initialize a new Node.js project:

npm init
Follow the prompts to provide information about your project or press Enter to accept the default values.

Step 4: Exploring Built-in Modules

Node.js provides several built-in modules that offer a wide range of functionalities. Let's explore some of the commonly used ones:

4.1. File System Module (fs)

The fs module provides methods for interacting with the file system.
Create a new file named fileSystem.js and add the following code to read a file:
  
const fs = require('fs');

fs.readFile('example.txt', 'utf8', (err, data) => {
  if (err) {
    console.error(err);
    return;
  }
  console.log(data);
});
Save the file and create an example.txt file in the same directory with some content. Run the script using node fileSystem.js to read the file and display its content.

4.2. HTTP Module (http)

The http module provides an HTTP server and client implementation. Create a new file named httpServer.js and add the following code to create a basic HTTP server:

  
const http = require('http');

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.statusCode = 200;
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  res.end('Hello, Node.js!');
});

const port = 3000;
server.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://localhost:${port}/`);
});
Save the file and run the script using node httpServer.js to start the server. Visit http://localhost:3000/ in a web browser to see the server response.

4.3. Path Module (path)

The path module provides utilities for working with file and directory paths. Create a new file named pathModule.js and add the following code to join and resolve paths:

  
const path = require('path');

const path1 = '/path/to';
const path2 = 'file.txt';

const joinedPath = path.join(path1, path2);
console.log(`Joined Path: ${joinedPath}`);

const resolvedPath = path.resolve(__dirname, 'pathModule.js');
console.log(`Resolved Path: ${resolvedPath}`);
Save the file and run the script using node pathModule.js to see the joined and resolved paths.

4.4. OS Module (os)

The os module provides operating system-related utility methods. Create a new file named osModule.js and add the following code to retrieve information about the operating system:
  
const os = require('os');

console.log(`Platform: ${os.platform()}`);
console.log(`Architecture: ${os.arch()}`);
console.log(`Total Memory: ${os.totalmem() / 1024 / 1024} MB`);
console.log(`Free Memory: ${os.freemem() / 1024 / 1024} MB`);
Save the file and run the script using node osModule.js to see the operating system information.

4.5. Events Module (events)

The events module provides an event-driven programming paradigm in Node.js. Create a new file named eventsModule.js and add the following code to create and handle events:

  
const EventEmitter = require('events');

class MyEmitter extends EventEmitter {}

const myEmitter = new MyEmitter();

myEmitter.on('customEvent', (arg) => {
  console.log(`Event fired with argument: ${arg}`);
});

myEmitter.emit('customEvent', 'Hello, Events!');
Save the file and run the script using node eventsModule.js to see the event being emitted and handled.

4.6. Crypto Module (crypto)

The crypto module provides cryptographic functionalities in Node.js. Create a new file named cryptoModule.js and add the following code to generate a hash using the crypto module:

  
const crypto = require('crypto');

const data = 'Hello, Crypto!';
const hash = crypto.createHash('sha256').update(data).digest('hex');

console.log(`Hash: ${hash}`);
Save the file and run the script using node cryptoModule.js to see the generated hash.

4.7. Stream Module (stream)

The stream module provides an interface for working with streaming data. Create a new file named streamModule.js and add the following code to create a writable stream and write data to a file:

  
const fs = require('fs');
const writableStream = fs.createWriteStream('output.txt');

writableStream.write('Hello, Stream!');
writableStream.end();
Save the file and run the script using node streamModule.js to write data to the output.txt file.

4.8. Util Module (util)

The util module provides utility functions in Node.js. Create a new file named utilModule.js and add the following code to use the util module:

  
const util = require('util');

const name = 'John';
const age = 30;
const greeting = util.format('Hello, %s! You are %d years old.', name, age);

console.log(greeting);
Save the file and run the script using node utilModule.js to see the formatted greeting.

4.9. Cluster Module (cluster)

The cluster module allows you to create child processes to take advantage of multi-core systems. Create a new file named clusterModule.js and add the following code to demonstrate using the cluster module:

  
const cluster = require('cluster');
const os = require('os');

if (cluster.isMaster) {
  console.log(`Master process ID: ${process.pid}`);

  // Fork workers
  for (let i = 0; i < os.cpus().length; i++) {
    cluster.fork();
  }
} else {
  console.log(`Worker process ID: ${process.pid}`);
}

5.1 Database access as connectivity with mongodb database

We have to access a MongoDB database with Node.js. For download and install the official MongoDB driver, using Command Terminal and run the following:

  
  C:\Users\Your Name>npm install mongodb
  

  
  const { MongoClient, ServerApiVersion } = require("mongodb");

//const uri = "mongodb://localhost:27017/";
const uri = "mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/";


const client = new MongoClient(uri,  {
        serverApi: {
            version: ServerApiVersion.v1,
            strict: true,
            deprecationErrors: true,
        }
    }
);
async function run() {
  try {
    // Connect the client to the server (optional starting in v4.7)
    await client.connect();
    
    await client.db("admin").command({ ping: 1 });
    console.log("Pinged your deployment. You successfully connected to MongoDB!");
  } finally {
    // Ensures that the client will close when you finish/error
    await client.close();
  }
}
run().catch(console.dir);

6.1 Send successful email using node.js

We have to access a emailer with Node.js. For download and install the node js emailer , using Command Terminal and run the following:

  
  C:\Users\Your Name>npm install nodemailer
  
and use below code for send email just import nodemailer and use their createTransport and sendMail function

  
  let emailer = require('nodemailer');

let transeservice = emailer.createTransport({
  service: 'gmail',
  auth: {
    user: 'anygmailemailthatyouhave@gmail.com',
    pass: 'passwordofthisemail'
  }
});

let mailOptions = {
  from: 'sameemailthatuseforauth@gmail.com',
  to: 'anyemail@gmail.com',
  subject: 'your email subject',
  text: 'Enjoy the email from nodejs!'
};

transeservice.sendMail(mailOptions, function(error, info){
  if (error) {
    console.log(error);
  } else {
    console.log('Email sent: ' + info.response);
  }
});

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