Node.js v20.8.1 for Linux PPC64LE A High-Performance JavaScript Runtime

Node.js is an open-source and cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that allows JavaScript code to run outside of a browser. It was created by Ryan Dahl in 2009 to build high-performance web servers and network applications. Based on Google Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js can run on operating systems like Windows, Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X. One of Node.js’s key features is its event-driven and non-blocking I/O model, which makes it ideal for handling a large number of concurrent connections, excelling in building real-time applications such as online games, chat apps, and real-time communication services.

Node.js also uses a modular architecture and benefits from npm (Node Package Manager), allowing community members to share and reuse code, significantly promoting the growth and expansion of the Node.js ecosystem. Beyond server-side development, Node.js is also used to build toolchains, desktop applications, and IoT devices. It can manage file systems, interact with databases, and handle network requests, making it possible for developers to write full-stack applications using JavaScript, thus greatly improving development efficiency and convenience.

In practice, many large companies and organizations have adopted Node.js as their web application development platform, including Netflix, PayPal, and Walmart. These companies have benefited from Node.js by enhancing application performance, simplifying development processes, and responding more quickly to market demands.