NodeJS is a cross-platform and open-source JavaScript run-time environment used by web developers to develop scalable applications and write codes dealing with several connections on one device. In server-side JavaScript, NodeJS has become one of the greatest used tools. Various job postings aim to recruit NodeJS developers due to their vast popularity.
This NodeJS complete guide will teach you all the essential NodeJS aspects. Before proceeding with the fundamental concepts of Node.js, if you are confused about how to learn NodeJS for beginners, you must know about its installation. So, let’s get started:
The Usefulness of NodeJS:
JavaScript could work only in the browser. This is because browsers include an engine that interprets JavaScript into code the machine can comprehend. But the backend lacks this engine, working as a translator for the language. This is where NodeJS comes into the picture. It works as a JavaScript engine allowing your code to operate on a physical machine.
Installation of NodeJS:
The first step in the process of how to learn NodeJS for beginners is to download its stable version from the official NodeJS site. Based on your system configurations and operating system, you need to install NodeJS. Subsequently, you can begin working on it instantly. Ascertain the minimum RAM capacity is 4 GB.
To thoroughly learn NodeJS, you should understand backend development and backend JavaScript.
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Backend development:
The easy way to consider backend development is to view it as the data access layer. To run any website, you have a database for storing all relevant data. The backend requests this data categorizes it and delivers it to the frontend to make sure it can be visible on screen. Moreover, the backend keeps your website running flawlessly.
Backend JavaScript:
When JavaScript was initially developed, it was only able to run in the browser. It implied the backend was administered by languages like Ruby on Rails or Python. Using two different languages also led the company to find engineers proficient in both. It demanded more costs for the company and more employees.
Hiring one employee for both the backend and frontend worked to be easier. Therefore, JavaScript possesses the capabilities to deal with backend duties and is regarded as a full-stack language.
1. Introduction to NodeJS:
The most important element of the NodeJS beginner guide is the introduction to NodeJS. You must know what NodeJS is, where it’s used, why companies are implementing it, and its features. For the development of the server-side applications, it is vital to know why to select NodeJS compared to other frameworks.
In this part, you will learn how NodeJS compiles the JavaScript code in the native machine code.
2. NPM (Node Package Manager):
The NodeJS complete guide is incomplete without NPM. NPM is the core facet of NodeJS. Once you are done with the installation, the next step is to learn NPM.
NPM contains more than 800,000+ libraries used for various purposes. All these preexisting libraries have their unique code to develop various NodeJS features. Hence, you need not build all things from scratch. You must install the requisite library through the NPM command and then use it in the application. Hence, these libraries assist in quickening the process of application development.
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3. JSON file:
While creating any NodeJS project, developers first have to create the JSON file. Essentially, it is the manifest file in NodeJS projects. You can easily find it through the name ‘package.json’ in whichever application you develop. Moreover, it comprises the project metadata. It also administers and stores the information of packages and dependencies besides the script implemented in the project.
4. Node.js Fundamentals and File System:
The most important part of the NodeJS beginner guide is learning NodeJS fundamentals. From this step onwards, you become familiar with scripting in NodeJS. Its explanation begins with programming and printing “Hello World!” Subsequently, you will learn fundamental aspects like data types, variables, functions, operators, etc., in JavaScript.
Before you build the application with NodeJS, ascertain that you know all the concepts of JavaScript. After you learn the fundamentals, the next step is to learn how to read and write the data in a file rather than the console. NodeJS uses the fs module to access the physical file system from any directory.
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5. HTTP modules:
They are the building blocks in the NodeJS environment. They are extensively used for developing networking applications on the server-side. Using the HTTP module, you can easily build REST API in NodeJS. Hence, you should learn HTTP modules.
6. Frameworks:
NodeJS presents plenty of frameworks that develop the application with enriched functionalities. Usually, it is a lengthy process to write code to build different features in an application. The use of the NodeJS framework helps you quickly build any required feature.
List of some famous NodeJS frameworks:
- Express.js
- Meteor.js
- NestJs
- AdonisJs
- Sails
- LoopbackJS
- KoaJS
7. Databases:
Along with knowing how to develop a NodeJS application, it is essential to learn to store information. Based on your requirement or type of application, you can select any database and subsequently configure it using NodeJS.
List of the certain databases for NodeJS:
- Relational
- SQL Server
- PostgreSQL
- MariaDB
- MySQL
2. Search Engines
- ElasticSearch
- Solr
- Sphinx
3. Cloud Databases
- CosmoDB
- DynamoDB
4. NoSQL
- MongoDB
- Redis
- Cassandra
- CouchDB
8. Testing:
No application should be released in the market before appropriate testing. When going through the NodeJS guide, you must possess the knowledge of testing libraries or frameworks for the NodeJS applications.
Here is the list of testing and libraries for the NodeJS application:
- Unit, Behavior, Integration Testing
- Jest
- Jasmine
- Enzyme
- Mocha
- Chai
2. E2E Testing
- Puppeteer
- Selenium
Learning Resources:
Make sure to go through the official documentation of NodeJS and learn different concepts of NodeJS. Other recommended learning resources can be online courses and online video tutorials.
When can you use NodeJS?
NodeJS is recommended for use in streaming applications or event-based real-time applications.
- Streaming servers:
NodeJS offers tools for connecting to a service and then sending & receiving data.
- Game servers:
To develop quick and efficient servers that process tons of requests at once, the knowledge of NodeJS is recommended.
- Suitable for the collaborative environment:
Multiple people can post their documents and log some activity in a document management environment. NodeJS is suitable for a collaborative environment since the event loop can be activated whenever there are changes in documents.
- Advertisement servers:
NodeJS is a suitable framework when receiving multiple handling requests to access advertisements from a central server.
- Chat applications:
NodeJS is developed in Javascript. So, it is a highly suitable option for building client-side applications that use the identical Javascript framework.
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Salary of Nodejs Developers:
According to Glassdoor, the average base salary of Nodejs Developers is INR ₹4,73,487 per year in India.
According to Payscale, the average base salary of Nodejs Developers is $ $94,777 per year in the United States.
Factors on which salary of Nodejs Developers depend in India
- Salary based on the Employer
- Salary based on the Job title
- Salary based on Experience
- Salary based on Job location
- Salary of Nodejs developers based on the Employers in India:
| Job title | Average Salary (per annum) |
| Tata Consultancy Services | INR 4,05,868 |
| Westinghouse Nuclear
| INR 18,97,578 |
| Infosys | INR 4,00,000 to INR 12,00,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
- Salary of Nodejs developers based on the Job title in India:
| Job title | Average Salary (per annum) |
| Software developer
| INR 470,266 |
| Software engineer
| INR 619,043 |
| Full-stack software developer
| INR 604,940 |
| Web developer | INR 357,032 |
| Sr. Software engineer/developer/ programmer
| INR 1,068,581 |
| Senior software engineer
| INR 1,173,128 |
Source: Payscale
iii. Salary of Nodejs developers based on experience in India:
Experience performs a prime role in determining the salary of ReactJS developers. As you ascend the ladder of knowledge in the ReactJs career, the offered pay becomes better. So, the more you learn, the better you earn.
| Experience | Average Salary (per annum) |
| <2 years
| INR 2,36,400 |
| 2-5 years
| INR 2,90,400 |
| 5-10 years
| INR 4,10,400 |
| 10-15 years
| INR 4,80,000 |
- Salary of Nodejs developers based on location in India:
| Job location | Average Salary (per annum) |
| Mumbai | INR 4,53,600 |
| Bangalore | INR 4,52,400 |
| Delhi | INR 4,46,400 |
| Hyderabad | INR 4,45,200 |
| Kolkata | INR 4,40,400 |
| Chennai | INR 4,38,000 |
| Pune | INR 4,36,800 |
