Product & software
Node.js
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime used to build programs outside a web browser. It provides system and network APIs that support tasks such as web servers, command-line tools, and scripts, alongside the JavaScript language itself.
At a glance
- Primary focus
- JavaScript outside the browser
- Category
- programming
Overview
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime used to build programs outside a web browser. It provides system and network APIs that support tasks such as web servers, command-line tools, and scripts, alongside the JavaScript language itself.
How it is used
An application loads modules and uses runtime APIs to interact with files, networks, and other resources. Asynchronous operations allow programs to handle work without waiting synchronously for every input or output.
A useful distinction
Browser JavaScript and Node.js share a language but expose different environments. Code that relies on a browser's document objects cannot be assumed to run unchanged in Node.js.
Sources and review
MOOR's explanatory text is supported by the following source links.
- Node.js: official overview — Node.js
- Node.js: documentation and further reading — Node.js