Node.js is a powerful runtime environment built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It allows developers to run JavaScript code outside of a web browser, enabling server-side scripting and the development of scalable network applications. One of the key advantages of Node.js is its rich ecosystem of modules, including built-in core modules like : path, os, http, fs (file system), and the npm package manager.
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path module: The path module provides utilities for working with file and directory paths. It's particularly useful for tasks such as resolving file paths, extracting file extensions, and joining paths together.
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os module: The os module provides operating system-related utility methods and properties. It allows you to retrieve information about the operating system, such as CPU architecture, memory usage, and network interfaces.
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http module: The http module enables you to create HTTP servers and make HTTP requests. It's fundamental for building web servers and interacting with web services.
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fs (file system) module: The fs module provides file system-related functionality, allowing you to work with files and directories on your system. It includes methods for reading and writing files, creating directories, and manipulating file permissions.
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npm and init command: npm is the package manager for Node.js, used for installing, sharing, and managing packages or modules. The init command is used to initialize a new Node.js project by creating a package.json file, which contains metadata about the project and its dependencies.
In summary, Node.js provides a robust set of core modules like path, os, http, and fs, which simplify common tasks in server-side JavaScript development. Additionally, npm serves as a comprehensive package manager, streamlining dependency management and project initialization. These features collectively contribute to Node.js's popularity and effectiveness in building scalable and efficient server-side applications.