Question

How are Node-based web servers different from traditional web servers?

I’m trying to understand the difference between Node-based web servers (like Node.js) and traditional web servers (such as Apache or PHP). How does Node.js handle multiple requests at once, and what advantages does it offer, especially with its non-blocking architecture and the use of JavaScript for both the client and server-side? Any insights on the performance and development benefits would be helpful

Answer 1

1) Node.js Overview: As it stands, Node.js is a free-and-open-source JavaScript runtime environment where JavaScript can be enacted in backend, thus allowing such technologies to be used on the front end (browser) and on the back end (server side) simultaneously.

2) Non-blocking, Asynchronous Architecture: Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, which means that theoretically it can serve many requests at the same time queuing just for one at no point in time. Thus, It has a good performance, especially for non-blocking applications such as real-time chat, updating data, or interacting with APIs.

3) Package Manager (NPM): Node.js is bundled with NPM (Node Package Manager) and contains many Open source libraries as well as additional tools. NPM is aimed at simplifying dependency management, installation and versioning problems, which facilitates future code embedding and re-use from community created sources.

4) Single Language (JavaScript): Node.js is unlike the conventional technologies that require the use of acquiring different languages for the front end and back end such as apache with php, as it enables incorporating the use of javascript on both making the working process simpler and reducing the need of switching contexts.