Node.js Basics Tutorial

Welcome to the Node.js Basics Tutorial! If you're new to Node.js or looking to expand your knowledge, this guide will help you get started. Below, you'll find an overview of Node.js, its features, and how to use it effectively.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that enables developers to execute JavaScript code outside of a browser. It's built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine and utilizes the asynchronous, non-blocking I/O model which makes it lightweight and efficient.

Key Features of Node.js

Asynchronous and Event-Driven: Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model which makes it lightweight and efficient.
Single-threaded: Node.js is single-threaded but uses an event loop to handle multiple operations concurrently.
Cross-platform: Node.js can run on various platforms such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Rich Ecosystem: Node.js has a vast ecosystem with a wide range of packages available through npm (Node Package Manager).

Getting Started with Node.js

To get started with Node.js, you need to install it on your system. You can download it from the official Node.js website and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Install Node.js

Visit the Node.js website and download the installer for your platform.
Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

After installing Node.js, you can verify the installation by opening a terminal or command prompt and running:

node -v
npm -v

These commands will display the installed versions of Node.js and npm, respectively.

Node.js Projects

Once you have Node.js installed, you can start creating projects. A typical Node.js project consists of a directory containing a package.json file, which lists the project's dependencies and scripts.

Creating a Node.js Project

Create a new directory for your project and navigate into it:

mkdir my-node-project
cd my-node-project

Initialize a new Node.js project by running:

npm init -y

This command will create a package.json file with default values.

Create a new JavaScript file, for example, index.js, and add some code:

console.log("Hello, Node.js!");

Run your Node.js application by executing:

node index.js

You should see the message "Hello, Node.js!" printed to the console.