Runtime or Framework - what is Node.js?

For more than a decade, the JavaScript programming language has been one of the preferred methods to enhance websites with interactive elements up to complex games. Originally developed by Netscape in 1995, this scripting language created excellent conditions for user-oriented applications through its simple syntax and targeted focus on dynamic content in environments like a web browser. Since 2013, Node.js has provided an additional runtime environment that increases the potential and significantly simplifies the implementation of internal and external functions. Its numerous advantages with few drawbacks are a key reason why many developers prefer Node.js as a platform over similar alternatives.

What is Node.js all about?

Node.js is a runtime environment written in languages such as C and C and compiled for various operating systems. One of its main features is the ability to execute JavaScript code as a server-side application. Since the project's inception in 2009 and the release of the first version 0.10 under an open-source license in 2013, the software has become one of the most popular platforms for JavaScript mainly due to this capability.

Other significant advantages when using it on a virtual or dedicated server include optimising the environment for complex networks with numerous calls and concurrently existing connections, as well as excellent performance in computational operations. Due to these features, Node.js is widely used in web hosting, where it enables a significant expansion of functionality and the establishment of its own API as an interface to external programs.

What are the advantages of Node.js?

Node.js demonstrates extreme flexibility and power through its approach. Although it is a runtime environment, it also serves as a framework for the rapid and secure programming of routines or applications. Compared to many alternatives, it offers several advantages for web applications, including:

• Scalability of functionality through a modular design
• Efficient, resource-saving architecture and programming
• Extensive selection with over 750,000 modules
• Own package manager for installing extensions and resolving dependencies
• Regular updates and long-term LTS version
• Optimisation for networks with numerous parallel connections and high bandwidth

A special feature of the runtime environment, which is highly relevant for hosting websites, is its exceptional speed in simple tasks. It enables interactive displays to be implemented completely or largely without delay and loading times. One of the disadvantages is that the environment is only suitable to a limited extent for computationally intensive operations.

What principle does Node.js follow?

Based on its concept, Node.js is designed for efficient code with an event-driven architecture that only requires minimal hardware resources and low bandwidth. This is achieved by minimal overhead in process handling and data transfer, resulting in a high density of information in terms of memory space and individual connections. Node.js is primarily aimed at developers - end users must ensure that their web hosting service has the runtime environment installed and allows its use.

What are the minimum technical requirements for Node.js?

Although Node.js has relatively low performance requirements, it requires a consistent, sustained performance under average load to ensure prompt processing of all processes. Developers recommend the following as minimum hardware for virtual or dedicated servers:

• 2 GB of RAM as permanently available guaranteed memory
• At least 4 vCPUs for VPS and Dual Core CPU for dedicated servers
• 25 GB or more of free disk space
• Network connection of 100 Mbit/s or higher

These requirements apply equally to experimental and production systems and environments. Falling below these requirements may result in arbitrary errors that are not immediately clear, caused in part by insufficient memory.

Are there alternatives to Node.js?

When considering alternatives to Node.js, a distinction between two special cases is necessary: If programming in JavaScript is required and the application needs to run locally on a server or client without a web browser, then Node.js remains the undisputed top choice. However, for projects like a website where a minimal Server Response Time (SRT) and maximum performance are desired, other programming languages such as PERL or sleek, customisable, and performance-optimised Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress are more suitable. Since transitioning at a later stage involves significant effort, it is essential in the early phase of any project to thoroughly evaluate the pros and cons of various options like Node.js and alternatives in different frameworks and programming languages.

Photo: Luisella Planeta Leoni on Pixabay