Node.js v4.8.1 for Darwin x64

Node.js, an open-source and cross-platform JavaScript runtime, enables JavaScript execution outside the browser. Created by Ryan Dahl in 2009, it aims to build high-performance web servers and network applications. Based on Google's V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js operates across various operating systems including Windows, Linux, Unix, and macOS. Its event-driven and non-blocking I/O model is ideal for managing numerous concurrent connections, making it effective for real-time applications such as online games, chat services, and live communication tools. Node.js features a modular architecture with npm (Node Package Manager), facilitating code sharing and reuse, which supports the expansion of the Node.js ecosystem. In addition to server-side development, Node.js is used for creating toolchains, desktop applications, and IoT devices. Its capabilities include file system handling, database operations, and network request processing, allowing developers to build full-stack applications with JavaScript. Major companies like Netflix, PayPal, and Walmart use Node.js to enhance application performance, streamline development processes, and respond more swiftly to market demands.