5 Web Development Services You Can Avail with Node.js

Are you willing to develop a high-quality app for your company? One of the best platforms to develop your app is Node.js. 

On 27^th May 2009, Ryan Dahl launched an open-source cross-platform environment that could run outside a web browser. This platform was Node.js. It accepts JavaScript, C, and C++ and runs on Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. 

How Does Node.js Work?

Node.js runs on the Google Chrome V8 JavaScript engine. It converts the JavaScript code into machine code, ensuring faster execution of the code. 

It has a huge collection of libraries and modules that support in the development of high-functioning apps with efficiency. These include the Single-Threaded Event Loop for processing requests simultaneously and the Libuv library for managing time-consuming operations.

Let’s understand how this works step by step:

Step 1: Client makes an HTTP request.

Step 2: The request goes to the Event Queue.

Step 3: The Event Loop receives the request.

Step 4: It executes the request directly if it doesn’t involve I/O. Else, the Libuv Thread Pool manages it asynchronously.

Step 5: After completing the I/O task, the callback goes to the Event Queue.

Step 6: The Event Loop executes it and sends a response to the client.

Which Services Can You Avail from Node.js?

Node.js powers 6.3 million websites on the internet. Around 40.8% developers prefer using Node.js for developing high-functioning web applications. 

Following are some of the web application development services you can avail from Node.js: 

API Development

API or application programming interface involves building a set of protocols to enable different software to communicate with each other. They help in seamless exchange of data. 

Since Node.js is capable of handling multiple API requests simultaneously, it is a popular choice for API development. Additionally, its cross-platform development, rich ecosystem of libraries and tools, real-time data exchange capabilities, and built-in JSON support enables it to provide you with highly scalable and flexible APIs.

Following are some APIs of popular apps made using Node.js:

• Twitter
• Slack
• GitHub
• Netflix
• PayPal
• Mozilla
• GoDaddy
• Uber

Microservices Architecture

Microservices architecture comprises of a collection of small, independent services. They can communicate with each other via APIs. Each of them focus on specific functions, which makes the system modular, flexible, and easy to maintain. 

Node.js is a lightweight platform that is known for developing fast-functioning apps. Its cross-platform support and huge collection of libraries and frameworks allows it to scale microservices independently. Deploying of these microservices becomes much simpler due to its compatibility with Docker, a platform that helps developers build, ship, and run applications in portable containers.

Following are some microservices built using Node.js:

• Amazon AWS Lamba
• Yahoo
• Spotify
• eBay
• Airbnb
• Walmart
• Intuit

Real-Time Applications

The event-driven architecture of Node.js makes it suitable for developing real-time applications, as it can process requests in real time without blocking I/O. The Google Chrome V8 JavaScript engine is fast at making these executions and is capable of handling increasing traffic. Most importantly, its built-in support for WebSockets allows client-server communication at real-time, without the client needing to send continuous requests. Thus, Node.js is a popular choice for chatting and gaming app development.

Some popular real-time applications made with Node.js include the following:

• WhatsApp Web
• Rocket League
• New Relic
• Words with Friends (Multi-player game)
• Twitch Chat
• Guild Wars 2
• Slither.io
• Fortnite

Serverless Computing

Serverless computing involves developing applications that don’t require an underlying server for management. The infrastructure, scaling, and resource allocation is allotted by the cloud provider. Hence, the developer only needs to work on responding to HTTP requests, file uploads, and database exchanges. 

Node.js has many frameworks that support the development of serverless computing. These include AWS Lamba, Serverless Framework, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions. 

Following are some serverless apps built on Node.js:

• Coca-Cola
• Capital One
• iFood
• Snapchat
• Zynga
• The New York Times
• Adobe
• Autodesk

IoT Applications

Apps that enable real-time communication between multiple devices such as smart phones, sensors, smart watches, smart appliances, and vehicles, are IoT or Internet of Things. 

Frameworks such as Johnny-Five and Cylon.js, and MQTT libraries enable developers to build IoT apps on Node.js. additionally, its real-time functioning capabilities and event-driven architecture further supports in building these apps.

Following are some IoT apps made on the platform:

• Samsung SmartThings
• AgriTech
• FitBit
• Siemens
• Traffic Monitoring Systems
• Geotab
• Tesla

Which Web Development Service Do You Need with Node.js?

Every web application needs different functionalities as per the service they provide and how they wish to connect to their audience. Using Node.js to develop your apps can allow better real-time communication with your customers, adding higher-end functionalities, more scalability, and enhanced performance.