What is Node.js and why is it used for backend development?

This question explores what Node.js is, its architecture, and why developers choose it for backend applications.

Node.js is a cross-platform, open-source JavaScript runtime environment built on Chrome’s V8 engine. It allows running JavaScript code outside a browser ([turn0search31]turn0search7]). Key Features: • Event-driven, non-blocking I/O ideal for real-time, data-intensive applications. • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. • Leverages the vast npm ecosystem for packages and tooling ([turn0search37]turn0search43]). Why it’s used: • Single-threaded concurrency enables high throughput with minimal overhead. • Popular for building APIs, streaming servers, microservices, and real-time apps. • Enables full-stack JavaScript development for consistency and speed. Category: Backend Development Tags: nodejs, backend, javascript, runtime, non-blocking, npm