Introduction to Node.js

What is Node.js ?

It is an Open Source, Cross Platform JavaScript runtime

for building diverse variety of tools and applications

(Wikipedia)

Open Source ?

Open Source means source is available to public.

Node.js source code is available here

https://github.com/nodejs/node

Cross Platform ?

It works on all platforms, meaning - all Operating Systems - Mac OS X, Linux and Windows , covering different architectures : 32-bit, 64-bit, ARM

JavaScript Runtime ?

We know that JavaScript code runs in the browser environment.

Now the magic is, JavaScript code can run in

Node.js environment

So what ?

What's so cool about Node.js environment ?

What is the magic ?

First

Node.js actually provides an API - Application Programming Interface - a set of functions, in JavaScript,

to access the Computer's File System and Network.

Second

It can handle Input-Output in a non-blocking manner.

It's used mostly for Input Output bound process,

unlike CPU bound process.

Where can Js code run ?

Browsers! Of course!

Now you know Js code can run in computer

and access your File System, Network using Node.js APIs.

So, guess what ?

You can create cross platform Desktop Apps using Js!

http://electron.atom.io/

Where else can Js code run ?

In robots! Create robots with Js!

http://nodebots.io/

It can run on the mobile! You can create mobile Apps using Js!

https://cordova.apache.org/

http://facebook.github.io/react-native/

New to Js ?

Try these

http://jsforcats.com/

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide

https://www.youtube.com/user/kylerobinsonyoung

http://eloquentjavascript.net/

https://nodeschool.io/

Some node.js tutorials

https://www.airpair.com/javascript/node-js-tutorial

http://nodetuts.com/