Top 10 Reasons Why Node.js Is A Popular Choice For Server-side Development

Node.js is a popular server-side technology that has gained significant popularity among developers in recent years. It is a powerful, open-source platform that allows developers to build scalable, high-performance applications using JavaScript. In recent times, it has emerged as one of the most popular and widely-used technologies for developing server-side applications.

Since its release in 2009, Node.js has gained traction among developers, with its admiration showing no signs of slowing down. Node.js for backend development has become a top choice among developers due to its speed, scalability, real-time application development capabilities, easy learning curve, and cross-platform capability.

Node.js success stories:

1. In 2013, WalmartLabs used Node.js to power its applications during the busiest shopping period of the year, Black Friday. The entire mobile traffic on site was routed through Node.js applications, and despite handling approximately 200 million online users, CPU utilization did not exceed 1%. This successful deployment proved the efficiency of Node.js at Walmart Labs.
2. Following WalmartLabs’ footsteps, LinkedIn switched from Ruby on Rails to Node.js for handling mobile traffic. This resulted in a significant reduction in the number of servers needed, from 30 to just 3. Additionally, the new Node.js applications were 20 times faster, greatly improving user experience.
3. PayPal also saw great benefits from implementing Node.js. After deploying Node.js applications, PayPal reported a 35% reduction in response time while simultaneously handling double the number of requests per second. This significant improvement in performance shows the potential of Node.js in optimizing web application performance.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 reasons why Node.js has become such a popular choice among developers.

Top 10 reasons why Node.js is so popular among developers.

1. Node.js is Fast

Node.js is known for its speed, making it one of the most popular choices among developers for building server-side applications. The main reason why this application is faster than traditional server-side scripting languages is that it uses Google’s V8 JavaScript engine. This engine compiles code at lightning-fast speeds, making Node.js much faster than traditional server-side scripting languages.

In addition to the V8 engine, the application uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that allows it to handle a large number of requests simultaneously. This means that Node.js can process multiple requests without blocking the main thread. In contrast, traditional server-side scriptings languages like PHP and Ruby use a blocking I/O model that can result in slower performance when handling multiple requests.

The benefits of using an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model are clear. Node.js can handle a large number of requests without sacrificing speed, making it an ideal choice for building applications that require high performance.

2. Node.js is Scalable

Node.js is designed to be highly scalable, making it an ideal choice for building applications that need to scale quickly. One of the main reasons why it is so scalable is its lightweight nature. The application uses a small amount of memory and can handle a large number of requests, which makes it easy to scale up or down as needed.

Another factor that makes it highly scalable is its ability to handle a large number of concurrent connections. This means that Node.js can handle heavy loads with ease, making it an ideal choice for building applications that need to handle a large number of requests simultaneously.

3. Large and Active Community

Node.js has a large and active community of developers who contribute to its development and provide support to other developers. The Node.js community has created a vast array of packages that can be used to extend the functionality of this application. These packages cover a wide range of use cases and can help developers save time and effort when building applications.

The Node.js community is also very active and provides support to other developers through forums, blogs, and other online resources. This makes it easy for new developers to learn Node.js and get help when they need it.

4. Cross-Platform Capability

Node.js is a cross-platform technology, which means that it can run on multiple operating systems. This is a significant advantage for developers who need to build applications that run on multiple platforms. By using this application, developers can build applications that can be deployed on multiple operating systems, which can save time and effort.

5. Real-Time Application Development

Node.js is particularly well-suited for developing real-time applications. This is because it can handle real-time data and updates, making it an ideal choice for building applications that require real-time data processing.

Examples of real-time applications that can be built using Node.js include chat applications, online games, and real-time analytics applications.

6. Easy to Learn

Node.js is easy to learn, especially for developers familiar with JavaScript. This is because it uses JavaScript as its primary programming language, which means that developers who already know JavaScript can quickly get up to speed with Node.js.

This makes Node.js an ideal choice for new server-side developers who are just starting to learn about server-side programming. By using this application, these developers can build server-side applications using a language that they are already familiar with, which can reduce the learning curve.

7. Backed by Large Companies

Node.js is not only supported by a large and active community, but it is also backed by major companies such as IBM, Microsoft, and PayPal. These companies have recognized the potential of Node.js and have contributed to its development. By having industry leaders back Node.js, it has gained a level of credibility and trust that is important for developers and businesses.

8. Open-Source Nature

Node.js is an open-source technology, meaning that its source code is freely available and can be modified by anyone. This open-source nature has led to the creation of a large community of developers who contribute to the development of Node.js.

This community helps to improve the technology, fix bugs, and provide support for other developers. Additionally, the open-source nature of Node.js allows developers to build applications without having to pay licensing fees, making it a cost-effective choice.

9. Cost-Effective

Node.js is a cost-effective technology. Because it is built on top of JavaScript, which is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world, there are a large number of developers who are familiar with it. This means that it is relatively easy to find developers who are skilled in Node.js, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses looking to build applications.

10. Versatility

Node.js is a versatile technology that can be used for a wide range of applications. Its lightweight nature and cross-platform capabilities make it ideal for building applications that run on multiple platforms. This versatility has led to its adoption in a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.

Node.js Package

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that allows developers to build fast, scalable, and efficient server-side applications. One of the key features of Node.js that have contributed to its popularity is its vast library of packages, also known as modules, available through the Node Package Manager (NPM).

NPM is a package manager for Node.js that allows developers to easily install, share, and manage third-party packages or modules. NPM hosts over a million packages in its registry, and this number continues to grow each day, making it the largest package manager in the world. Packages can be easily installed from the NPM registry using the ‘npm install’ command, and they can be easily updated, removed, or managed using a range of NPM commands.

Node.js packages can be used to add functionality to an application, as well as to simplify development by providing pre-written code for common tasks. Packages can be used for everything from routing and handling requests to parsing JSON and connecting to databases. Some of the most popular Node.js packages include Express, Socket.IO, Mongoose, and Pug.

Node.js packages and the NPM registry provide an essential toolset for developers building Node.js apps. They allow developers to easily manage dependencies, share code, and build applications faster and more efficiently. Whether you are building a simple web application or a complex, real-time system, the NPM registry has a package for every need.

Conclusion

Node.js has become one of the most popular technologies for developing server-side applications and for good reason. Its speed, scalability, and versatility make it an ideal choice for developers who need to build high-performance, real-time applications. With its large and active community, open-source nature, and support from industry leaders, Node.js is a technology that is likely to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.

If you are looking to hire a Node.js developer, then Symentix is the platform to turn to. Our team of highly skilled and experienced Node.js developers can help you build robust and scalable applications that meet your business needs. With our focus on quality and customer satisfaction, we are committed to delivering the best possible results to our clients. So, if you want to leverage the power of Node.js for your next Node.js projects, get in touch with Symentix today, and let us help you bring your ideas to life.

Check out our blog to know what mistakes to avoid when opting for Node.js development.