Node.js Runtime Environment Overview

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment designed by Ryan Dahl in 2009. It allows JavaScript code to run outside of the browser, leveraging Google Chrome's V8 engine. Node.js features event-driven, non-blocking I/O, making it ideal for handling concurrent connections and real-time applications. Its modular architecture, supported by npm (Node package manager), fosters code sharing and reuse within the community, enhancing the Node.js ecosystem. Beyond server-side development, Node.js is utilized in toolchains, desktop apps, and IoT devices, enabling full-stack JavaScript development for improved efficiency and versatility. Major enterprises like Netflix, PayPal, and Walmart employ Node.js to boost application performance, simplify development, and respond faster to market demands.