Node.js Runtime Environment Overview

Node.js, or Node, is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment. It enables running JavaScript code outside of the browser, leveraging the V8 JavaScript engine from Google Chrome. Node.js, founded by Ryan Dahl in 2009, aims at high-performance web servers and network applications, supporting Windows, Linux, Unix, and macOS. Notably event-driven and non-blocking I/O, Node.js excels in handling concurrent connections, ideal for real-time applications like online games, chat apps, and communication services. Its modular architecture, facilitated by npm (Node package manager), fosters code sharing and reuse within its ecosystem. Beyond server-side development, Node.js is utilized in tooling, desktop app development, and IoT devices, enabling full-stack JavaScript applications for improved efficiency and developer convenience. Major enterprises such as Netflix, PayPal, and Walmart utilize Node.js to enhance application performance and streamline development processes.