Why You Should Learn Node.js in 2024

Node.js is an open-source runtime environment (definitely not a framework 😉) that enables the execution of JavaScript on the back-end.

In the realm of Web Development, few elements endure the ever-evolving landscape for more than 4 years due to its rapid pace of change. However, Node.js has stood as a constant for over 14 years!

Here’s a brief compilation of highly successful companies, still relying on Node.js to drive their products and systems :

• Google
• Microsoft
• Netflix
• NASA
• LinkedIn
• Medium, and
• PayPal

Impressive, right ? Absolutely 😎!

Nevertheless, Node.js is just one player in the diverse spectrum of web technologies, coexisting with Java, .NET, Python, PHP, C++, and more.

These technologies are tools specifically crafted to meet the requirements of businesses. Naturally, each passing year brings forth its set of challenges.

So, when contemplating the question : Should you learn Node.js in 2024 ?

I believe we should ponder : Can Node.js address the challenges anticipated in 2024 ?

Here is some of the top trending topics in 2024 :

• Real Time Communication
• Scalability and High Performance
• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
• Modern API Architectural Styles in 2024
• Serverless Architecture
• Microservice Architecture
• Internet Of Things (IoT)

Let’s dive into each topic, and determine whether Node.js could be a suitable candidate.

Real Time Communication

In 2024, the demand for real-time applications has experienced a surge, driven by the necessity for improved user engagement and responsiveness. Examples of such applications include live chat, collaborative tools, dynamic dashboards, and multiplayer games. Node.js emerges as a pivotal player in meeting this demand with its :

• Event-driven architecture: Allowing seamless handling of data-intensive interactions.
• Asynchronous data handling: Avoiding bottlenecks associated with traditional server-side models for smoother user experiences.
• WebSockets support: Facilitating bidirectional communication for instant notifications and persistent connections.

Businesses seeking real-time features consider Node.js essential for ensuring robust performance and efficient data management.

Scalability and High Performance

Need more power ? Say no more ! 🤖

To meet the real-time demands of millions of people worldwide, a single server is not sufficient. We need to build systems capable of scaling according to the evolving demand.

• Scaling Strategies : Node.js provides flexibility in scaling to accommodate increasing demands. It can scale vertically, involving the utilization of more resources on a single server. Alternatively, it can scale horizontally, distributing workloads across multiple servers, ensuring optimal performance during all types of periods (low traffic or high traffic).
• Microservices Architecture : In this approach to building systems, applications are set up as a group of separate services that can be deployed and expanded independently. Each of these services is designed to handle a specific business task. Node.js naturally fits well into this style of architecture, making it possible to break down large applications into smaller, self-sufficient components.
• Cluster Module for Enhanced Performance : Node.js includes the built-in Cluster module, which allows you to spawn multiple worker processes on a single machine. This enables efficient utilization of multiple CPU cores.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

If you are on Earth, you have probably heard of ChatGPT. A natural language processing tool powered by AI technology, enabling you to engage in human-like conversations and beyond with the chatbot.

The arrival of ChatGPT has simply propelled artificial intelligence to the pinnacle. Many companies are integrating or aspire to integrate AI into their products.

So, how can we help businesses to build AI products using Node.js ?

The most popular language for machine learning and AI development is Python. It has many powerful ML and AI libraries such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.

With Node.js, you have at least 3 options :

1. Integrate Python into your Node.js app : Using the library child_process or PythonShell, you can run Python scripts from Node.js.
2. Using Cloud-Based Services: Cloud-based ML and AI services, such as AWS SageMaker and Google Cloud AI Platform, provide pre-built ML and AI tools and frameworks that can be used in Node.js applications.
3. JavaScript Libraries: We can use JavaScript libraries designed for machine learning and AI in Node.js applications.

By integrating Node.js with additional machine learning and artificial intelligence tools and frameworks, we can develop robust applications that harness the capabilities of various technologies.

Modern API Architecture Styles in 2024

APIs are ways for software to talk to each other and share data. There are various approaches to designing and constructing APIs. If you have experience in crafting Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), you are likely familiar with REST (Representational State Transfer). Indeed, REST is a widely adopted API architectural style.

According to Postman’s State of the API 2023 report, the most popular API architectural styles are:

Architectural Styles

REST has dominated the market for several years. However, you may notice that GraphQL, created more recently is gaining momentum in the market.

Originally created by Facebook in 2012 and subsequently released to the public in 2015, GraphQL is a robust query language enabling the development of applications proficient in handling extensive amounts of information and gathered data.

Whether it’s GraphQL, WebSockets, or any other, you’ll find packages to help you implement them with Node. We are a strong and vast community 😊

If you haven’t learned GraphQL yet, now is the right time to dive in. Don’t worry; you can easily implement it with Node.js. I’ll make another post to discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and use cases of these different architectural styles.

Serverless Architecture

Serverless means that when creating an application, there is no hassle of maintaining servers. You provide the code, and your cloud provider handles the servers (provisioning, scaling, fault tolerance, …).

It is a practice that is increasingly being used because it reduces costs and accelerates time to market, eliminating vendor lock-in. Serverless computing offers unprecedented cost savings, scalability, and developer efficiency, making it a promising future for cloud computing.

Node.js is known for its serverless architecture. One of the biggest advantages is code quality and greater flexibility.

Microservice Architecture

In 2024, Microservice Architecture is set to become a prominent trend in Node.js development, representing a strategic paradigm increasingly embraced by businesses for its transformative impact on application development. Leveraging Node.js provides a relatively streamlined approach to implementing microservices in projects.

Within this architectural framework, applications are organized as a set of independently deployable and scalable services, each serving a specific business function. This trend aligns seamlessly with Node.js development, granting businesses the flexibility to innovate and scale more efficiently.

Node.js, renowned for its lightweight and modular design, harmonizes perfectly with the microservices model. This synergy enables developers to swiftly create, deploy, and manage services, enhancing development speed while facilitating easier maintenance and updates. This modular approach empowers businesses to adapt quickly to evolving market demands.

Internet Of Things (IoT)

In 2019, the IoT market generated $212 billion in revenue, with 26.66 billion connected devices worldwide. By 2025, this number is projected to rise to 75.44 billion. Considering the global population of 7.7 billion in February 2020, the average person owns 3 to 4 IoT devices. With an estimated population of 8.1 billion in 2025, individuals are anticipated to possess 9 to 10 smart devices. The expanding IoT landscape presents a lucrative market niche, inviting individuals to consider joining and potentially adding their IoT device to this growing ecosystem.

The client-side of an IoT device is represented by the hardware itself. It is programmed with C, C++, or Lua — low-level and difficult programming languages. But there is not much you can do about it because of hardware limitations.

On the other hand, the server side of IoT applications offers you more freedom of choice. Here, you are not limited by the hardware, so you can choose any coding language and framework you prefer.

I believe that the right one is Node.js, because it is :

• Fast and performant : First of all, any IoT device is constantly working with dynamically changing data. This means that you need a framework which can handle real-time applications and heavy data flows. Node.js is the number one framework to be used with real-time apps and platforms.
• Easy integration with IoT protocols : IoT applications actively use a publish-subscribe-based messaging protocol, MQTT. In turn, for transportation and encapsulation, this protocol uses WebSockets. Both MQTT and WebSockets are well-supported and easily integrated with Node.js.
• Node.js modules facilitate IoT development : You have an active community of developers who have already shared a wealth of useful IoT modules on npm. There are about 80 packages for Intel IoT Edison, Arduino, or Raspberry Pi. Also, it features over 30 packages for different sensors, beacons, and other tools.

Summary

Nobody can really predict what’s going to happen, but from our quick look, it seems like Node.js has what it takes to stay a solid tool and handle the upcoming challenges in 2024.

I might not have covered all the challenges you see for this new year. Either way, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.