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Get Started with Node.js

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In this module, we will dive into the world of Node.js and get you started on your journey to becoming a proficient Node.js developer. We'll cover the basics, set up your development environment, and write your first Node.js application.

Table of Contents​

What is Node.js?​

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript on the server-side. It's built on the V8 JavaScript engine and is designed for building scalable network applications. Node.js is especially popular for building web servers and APIs.

Why Use Node.js?​

  • JavaScript everywhere: Node.js allows you to use the same language (JavaScript) on both the client and server sides of web development.
  • Fast and efficient: It's built on the V8 JavaScript engine, making it one of the fastest runtime environments.
  • Non-blocking I/O: Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, making it ideal for handling asynchronous tasks.

Setting Up Node.js​

Before you start coding in Node.js, you'll need to set up your development environment.

Installation​

  1. Visit the Node.js official website.
  2. Download the LTS (Long-Term Support) version for stability.
  3. Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Verifying Installation​

To make sure Node.js is installed correctly, open your terminal (or command prompt) and run the following commands:

node -v

OR

npm -v

You should see the installed Node.js and npm versions.

Your First Node.js Application​

Now that you have Node.js installed, let's create your first Node.js application. We'll start with a simple "Hello, Node.js!" example.

  1. Create a new folder for your project and navigate to it in the terminal.

    mkdir my-node-app
    cd my-node-app

  2. Create a file named app.js using a code editor of your choice (e.g., Visual Studio Code).

  3. In app.js, add the following code:

    app.js
    // Import the built-in 'http' module
    const http = require('http');

    // Create an HTTP server
    const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/html' });
      res.end('Hello, Node.js!\n');
    });

    // Listen on port 3000
    server.listen(3000, 'localhost', () => {
      console.log('Server is running at http://localhost:3000/');
    });

This code does the following:

  • Imports the built-in 'http' module.
  • Creates an HTTP server that listens on port 3000.
  • Responds with "Hello, Node.js!" to any incoming requests.

  1. Save the file and return to the terminal. Run your Node.js application:

    node app.js

  2. Open your web browser and visit http://localhost:3000/. You should see "Hello, Node.js!" displayed in your browser.

http://localhost:3000

Hello, Node.js!

Congratulations! You've just created your first Node.js application.