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Programmers use different programming languages so that they can create front-end and back-end applications well. One of the people’s main choices is Node.js. This particular programming language allows the creation of applications using JavaScript.
What Exactly is Node.js?
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Node.js is usually the choice of programmers because it is open-source. What does this mean? It means that the source code for it is readily available. Contributors from different parts of the world are maintaining the source code.
Node.js cannot be properly used without the right developer. A dedicated Nodejs developer is always in demand. More people are learning how to use this programming language. Yet, a person should always be interested, dedicated, and passionate about it.
Some Advantages of Node.js
Some programmers who are still searching for a programming language to focus on can start learning Node.js for the following advantages:
This can be used for both the front-end and the back-end of the application. This means that programming can be done and fixed on both the client and server side.
The community of this programming language has grown steadily over the past years. It is still expected to grow bigger and better with more contributions to help any Nodejs developer .
The demand is only expected to grow as more well-known applications are using Node.js to improve their features.
Setting Up Node.js Development Environment
The first thing to do is to make sure that your account has administrator privileges. This means that you can choose the software that you want, download it, and install it on your device.
Download Node.js Installer – Make sure to download the latest version.
Install Node.js and NPM from your chosen web browser – The moment that download is complete, launch it. Follow the instructions that will be given to you.
Verify the installation of Node.js – A command prompt will enter and you need to place “node-v”
Choosing an IDE or Text Editor for Node.js
You may ask yourself what type of JavaScript IDE will you use for Node.js? Different text editors are available but these are some things that can help:
Look for something that can be used by the whole node js development team. Some are more user-friendly than others.
Find the IDE that can help with syntax highlighting.
Refactoring options will always be very helpful. This will help you restructure the codes that you already have. It can make the editing of existing projects easier.
Basics of Node.js Programming
You can find react programmer that can make their knowledge and skills on providing what you need. Node.js is known for being event-driven and non-blocking which is confusing for people who haven’t learned enough about this yet.
When you say event-driven, it means that this can understand the request and do the task accordingly. A function will be created and will be registered instead of getting all the data. The function will work once it is triggered.
When you say non-blocking, it means that the request will be sent to the required function immediately. The request will not be blocked so it will be received at the soonest possible time.
Working with Modules, Callbacks, and Asynchronous Programming
When you say modules in Node.js, you are referring to a type of functionality that can be used in the Node.js application. Take note that the functionality can be simple or complex. It will depend on the number of JavaScript files that are available.
Callbacks, on the other hand, are the type of responses to an event. For example, when the user clicks on a button, the callback will make sure that something will happen. The application can take note that the same response should happen no matter who is using it.
Asynchronous programming works in such a way that other functions are already happening before the main function is done. This can make the response faster. To make this happen, Node.js needs to make use of the event loop that will dispatch the requests to C++. Once it receives the results, it will be sent back to JavaScript. This might seem long but this will only take a short time.
Building Web Applications with Node.js
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The HTTP module can be used by the node.js programmer to get an immediate response. To do this, the programmer simply needs to use the createServer ( ) method. This will run whenever someone tries to use the same computer.
Other important things to note are the following:
Routing – This is figuring out how the application will react to the client’s actions. Different routes are available and the route that the function will take depends on the action.
Middleware – This will have all the access to request or respond to an object.
Request Processing – You need to have the right command ready so that the request will be processed accordingly.
Working with Express.js
Express.js is the web application framework that is commonly used when you are using Node.js. This is the choice of a lot of people because it is simple yet flexible. Different features are available and they can be used for both apps and websites.
Setting Up Express.js
Remember that you cannot set up Express.js unless you already have Node.js on your device. Once this is done, you can do the following:
Create a directory and make sure that it is working.
Use the npim init command.
Enter the name of the main file.
Install Express in your directory.
Data Access and Database
Node js development can always be improved as long as all the bases are covered. To connect with the database, the programmer should have the appropriate drivers for it. The driver can be installed through a command prompt using the chosen text box. Once you have access, you will be able to go through your needed data.
The ORM can be used to represent the items that are available in the data. It will help you understand the relationship between the programs and the database. Some say that it is the layer that will hold all the information together.
Testing and Deployment
Unit testing is one of the most important things that programmers can do. This will ensure that even the smallest units are working properly. Each code will be isolated and tested so that if discrepancies are going to arise, these will be fixed. To make tests, some fake implementations will be inserted. The testers will check if the codes still react to those fake implementations.
There are different Node.js frameworks that you can choose from. Each framework has pros and cons. You need to consider the deployment options as well as how well the data will perform. You can choose from the following frameworks:
Jasmine
AVA
Mocha
Jest
Security and Best Practices
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Different vulnerabilities will always threaten your database. One of the most common vulnerabilities is loose comparison. This happens when the attacker will create something that will make the condition to be always true. True values will be returned to the attacker which can make the data more vulnerable. If the database is tricked, data from the users of the database will be retrieved. The best thing to do is to use mixed data types.
Another common vulnerability is prototype pollution. This type of vulnerability allows the attacker to take control of the data. The tampered data will not work the way that it is supposed to. The best thing to do to counter this is to use the object.assign method. This will help retrieve the data from the user so that it will be updated and corrected.
