Node.js: Building Scalable and High-Performance Applications

A warm welcome to the Node.js: Building Scalable and High-Performance Applications course by Uplatz.

Node.js is an open-source, back-end JavaScript runtime environment that runs on the Chrome V8 engine and executes JavaScript code outside a web browser. It is used for building scalable and high-performance network applications.

How Node.js Works

1. Event-driven, non-blocking I/O model: Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model which makes it lightweight and efficient. This means that when a request is made to the server, it doesn’t block other requests from being processed. Instead, it continues to process other requests and once the initial request is complete, it emits an event to notify the server.
2. Single-threaded: Node.js uses a single thread to handle multiple requests. This is different from traditional web servers which use multiple threads to handle requests. Node.js can handle a large number of requests concurrently due to its non-blocking I/O model.
3. Modules: Node.js has a rich ecosystem of modules that can be used to perform various tasks. These modules can be easily installed using the npm (Node Package Manager) tool.

Core Features of Node.js

• Asynchronous and event-driven: All APIs of Node.js are asynchronous, meaning that the server doesn’t wait for an API to return data. It moves to the next API after calling it, and a notification mechanism of Events of Node.js helps the server to get a response from the previous API call.
• Fast: Node.js library is very fast in code execution because it is built on Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript Engine.
• Single-threaded but highly scalable: Node.js uses a single-threaded model with event looping. Event mechanism helps the server to respond in a non-blocking way and makes the server highly scalable as opposed to traditional servers which create limited threads to handle requests.
• No buffering: Node.js applications never buffer any data. These applications simply output the data in chunks.

Benefits of using Node.js

• Scalability: Node.js is highly scalable due to its non-blocking I/O model and event-driven architecture.
• Performance: Node.js is very fast and efficient due to its use of the V8 JavaScript engine and its non-blocking I/O model.
• Easy to learn: Node.js is easy to learn for developers who are already familiar with JavaScript.
• Large community: Node.js has a large and active community which provides support and contributes to the development of the platform.

Some of the reasons why you should learn Node.js

• High demand: Node.js is in high demand and there are many job opportunities available for Node.js developers.
• Full-stack development: Node.js can be used for both front-end and back-end development, which allows developers to build full-stack web applications using a single language.
• Microservices: Node.js is well-suited for building microservices, which are small, independent services that can be deployed and scaled independently.
• Real-time applications: Node.js is ideal for building real-time applications such as chat applications, online games, and collaboration tools.

Node.js – Course Curriculum

Module 1. Introduction to Node.js

• Node.js Basics
  • Overview of Node.js
  • Initial concepts and advantages of using Node.js

Module 2. Core Concepts

• Core Modules and File Systems
  • Introduction to Node.js core modules
  • Working with the file system (examples included)
• Node Package Manager (NPM)
  • NPM commands and examples
  • Overview of the package.json file
• Yarn
  • Introduction to Yarn
  • Comparison between Yarn and NPM

Module 3. Building Blocks

• Simple HTTP Server with Node
  • Create a basic HTTP server
  • Add enhancements and features
• Routing Basics
  • Simple routes, dynamic routes, and query parameters

Module 4. Asynchronous Programming

• Handling Asynchronous Code
  • Using Callbacks, Promises, and Async/Await

Module 5. Modular Development

• Creating and Using Custom Modules
  • Step-by-step examples

Module 6. Middleware and Debugging

• Middleware in Node.js
  • Different middleware types, including Express examples
• Debugging and Error Handling
  • Techniques for debugging and managing errors

Module 7. Development Tools

• Nodemon Tutorial
  • Automating server restarts during development

Module 8. Express.js

• Introduction to Express
  • Setting up and using Express.js
• Middleware in Express
  • Exploring various middleware options
• Creating RESTful APIs with Express
  • Developing RESTful APIs (examples included)
• Handling Query Parameters and Request Bodies
  • Practical examples using Postman

Module 9. API Testing

• Introduction to Postman
  • Features and usage for API testing

Module 10. NoSQL Databases (MongoDB)

• Understanding NoSQL Databases
  • Basics of NoSQL and MongoDB
  • Overview of MongoDB Features
• Introduction to Mongoose
  • Overview and benefits
• Setting Up MongoDB
  • Local setup and MongoDB Atlas configuration
• Installing Mongoose
  • Setting up a basic project with Mongoose
• CRUD Operations in MongoDB
  • Hands-on examples

Module 11. Advanced MongoDB and Mongoose

• MongoDB Virtuals, Getters, and Setters
• Middleware in Mongoose
• MongoDB Schema Relationships
• Aggregation Framework
  • $match, $group, $sort, $project stages
  • Mongoose Aggregation Queries
• Mongoose Schema Validation
  • Built-in and custom validation techniques
• Handling Errors
  • Validation and connection errors
• Creating and Using Indexes
  • Examples and optimization tips
• Optimizing Mongoose Queries
• Transactions in MongoDB
  • Using transactions effectively
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Implementation with Mongoose
• Designing Data Models in MongoDB
• Integrating Mongoose with Express
  • Creating RESTful APIs

Module 12. Deployment and Monitoring

• Deploying MongoDB Applications
• Monitoring and Maintenance Techniques

Module 13. EJS (Embedded JavaScript Templates)

• Getting Started with EJS
• Setting Up an EJS Project
• Passing Data to Templates
• Using Partials and Static Assets
• Conditional Rendering and Loops
• Error Handling in EJS

Module 14. Relational Databases (PostgreSQL)

• Introduction to PostgreSQL
  • Basics and setup using psql and pgAdmin
  • Basic SQL Commands
  • PostgreSQL Data Types, Primary Keys, and Constraints
  • Advanced SQL (SELECT, Joins, Views, Indexes)
  • Transactions and Concurrency
  • Functions, Procedures, and Triggers
  • Working with JSON and Arrays
  • Full-Text Search

Module 15. PostgreSQL with Node.js

• Integrating PostgreSQL with Node
• Backend Development with PostgreSQL and Express
• Relationships and Joins
• Using Knex.js for Query Building

Module 16. Security and Best Practices

• User Authentication with JWT
• Middleware and Validation (using Joi)
• Security Best Practices

Module 17. Advanced Development

• Migrations and Seeders
• Frontend Integration
  • Using React.js, Fetch, and Axios

Module 18. Final Touches

• Interview Questions and Answers
  • Key concepts and code snippets for interview preparation