Node.js and Its Future

If you are choosing a technology for the back-end of your project, you may have heard something about Node.js. In this article, we will tell you about this runtime environment, the benefits of its use, and the possible future of Node.js.

It is not a secret that Node.js is relatively old compared with the other frameworks. It was introduced in 2009, and you may be concerned what is the future of Node.js in case you select it for your next project. The short answer is Node.js is being constantly developed and improved. Therefore, it is still one of the best technologies in the field and may be your best option, but it will depend on the requirements. 

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a runtime environment that implements the server-side scripts out of the browser. The letters “js” stand for JavaScript, the most popular programming language.

One of the best things about Node.js is this feature because usually JavaScript is used for the front-end. Thus, when you are using Node.js, your front-end and back-end become more consistent, and there is a possibility for the reuse of the code. Moreover, it will be easier for your full-stack developers.

Node.js is powered by the Google V8 engine that provides it with incredible performance. In fact, it is not the only feature that makes Node.js so fast. One of the most important Node.js benefits is that it is asynchronous and event-driven. This means that this piece of software reacts to the changes itself. After a request is answered, Node.js makes a callback and continues serving other requests. 

Here are 5 more key features of Node.js development:

• Because it is lightweight, it can efficiently redistribute the heavy load of real-time applications to different pieces of equipment.

• It is able to cache. This saves the data on the device and makes it possible for similar future requests to be answered instantly. 

• Its applications can be run on the devices regardless of the platform.

• Node.js offers effortless horizontal and vertical scaling.

• Rich JavaScript libraries simplify the development process due to saving time with numerous open-source solutions.

What can Node.js be used for?

Like any technology, Node.js has its unique peculiarities that you can use for your benefit. The uniqueness of Node.js is in its approach to the client-server model. Due to the async approach, the server-side only answers the client’s request. After that, the connection is closed. This creates a sort of interactive communication between the front-end and the back-end. This and many other peculiarities make Node.js a perfect choice for:

Data Streaming Apps

This kind of app is heavy and requires continuous data streaming. Node.js can help you omit saving temporary data and keep the connection open. This is the main reason why Netflix uses Node.js.

Big Data

The problem is that while analyzing Big Data, the server may lag or the response may just take too long to wait. However, by dividing data into smaller portions, Node.js accelerates the processing. One of the instances would be a retail industry that operates a huge number of goods. Node.js will definitely help with the development of the appropriate website.

Wireless Connections

Node.js can help in the creation of the connectivity without blockage, which is a necessity in this case.

Real-Time Data

Real-time web apps have the issue of delaying the scalability of the real-time data. Node.js solves this issue due to the push technology and provides instant updates. For example, google.doc is the service that makes use of such updates.

Queued I/O Output

In this situation, there is a possibility of an application crash due to the large load of data. Node.js helps to handle this data because of its async nature, and in such a way prevents crashes. One of the prominent instances is the likes counter on Facebook, which can be processed effortlessly with Node.

Chatbots

A chatbot is an economical solution in the field of customer support. Like anything that requires a quick update or exchange of messages, a chatbot can make use of Node.js. To further improve the speed and functionality of a chatbot, you can also use an API, such as Express.js. 

Command-Line

Node.js can help you develop a secure command-line application. Besides, other benefits of this runtime environment will make such an app reliable and highly functional.

Single Page Application

The asynchronous nature of Node.js makes it a perfect choice for SPA because it requires handling multiple requests. The perfect example of this case is Gmail and Twitter.

Just in case none of the above matched your project, we recommend you to read our article, where we compare Node.js to Laravel.

Node.js Future

In case you are deciding what to choose for your next project, you will be inevitably interested in the future perspectives of the chosen framework or a programming language. Luckily, sometimes it is possible to predict whether something will be supported and further developed or not. Spoiler alert: Node.js is expected to grow and prosper in the nearest future.

The proof of the statement above is in 5 reasons that claim the stability of this runtime environment. In other words, here is why Node.js is the future of web development:

Conclusions

As you can see from the information above, there are a lot of different cases when a company needs a team of Node.js developers. This runtime environment often can solve the most popular problems in the software development process. Taking into account the tech giants that use it and invest in it, it is easy to see why Node.js is the future of web development.

Anything you need, whether it is a simple mobile app or a complex full-fledged project, you can order from us. Here at OTAKOYI, we know all the latest Node.js trends, and we would gladly use our knowledge and experience to create the best possible product for you.