When to Use Node.js for Back-End - Guide for Business Owners

This article was originally published at: https://www.blog.duomly.com/when-to-use-node-js-for-back-end/

Business owners are always looking to improve their operations and boost profits. One way to do this is by using Node.js for back-end development. Node.js offers a number of advantages over other programming languages, making it the perfect choice for businesses of all sizes. 

This article will discuss when to use Node.js for back-end development and some of its key benefits.

1. What is Node.js?

The first question that comes to mind is, "What is Node.js?" and "What are its key benefits?". 

To answer these questions briefly:

Node.js is a cross-platform runtime environment for server-side and networking applications. It uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, making it lightweight and efficient.

Node.js allows for quick prototyping and efficient scaling of back-end services such as authentication, databases, etc. 
Its modularity ensures easier maintenance and testing of back-end code that can be reused in other projects (which makes this language very cost-effective). 

The asynchronous nature of the Javascript programming language adds to the performance of back-end applications, making Node.js a powerful ally of business owners everywhere.

2. What are some of the key benefits of using Node.js for back-end development?

Some notable advantages of using Node.js as back-end include:

• Better scalability and reliability from an event-driven architecture that ensures non-stop operation
• Increased performance due to the heavy use of asynchronous I/O without blocking other requests
• The trend towards reusable code - modularity makes code cleaner and organized, ensuring new team members can easily pick up on new projects without any training 
• Reduced complexity since no explicit locking is needed 
• Clear direction - use JSON as data format instead of XML 
• Built-in support for HTTP server 
• A vibrant open-source community with active technical support 

3. Who are the most suitable candidates for Node.js back-end development?

Node.js back-end is best suited for businesses that need to build scalable, high-performance applications with large traffic on their website(s). These could include social media networks, eCommerce sites, or any other type of web application that needs constant uptime and quick scaling when faced with heavy traffic.

Even though these companies would be the obvious choice, the simple truth is those small businesses can also benefit from NodeJS back-end development. It's all about taking advantage of the main benefits mentioned above (easier maintenance, cleaner code, etc.)

4. What are some of the commonly used technology stacks when using Node.js for back-end development?

When using Node.js as a back-end, the most commonly used technology stacks are:

• Nest.js - a scalable Node.js framework with a minimal core offering the fundamental necessities required to build scalable server-side and networking applications
• Express framework - a lightweight web application framework based on Node.js which provides a basic structure to develop websites and APIs 
• Loopback - a highly scalable, mobile-ready NodeJS application platform that is built on top of Express 
• Mean Stack - full-stack javascript solution i.e MEAN (MongoDb,Express,Angular ,Node.js)

5. What are some of the use cases where the Node.js back-end is suited for?

Some of the most common use-cases where nodejs is suited for include:

• Media streaming applications such as Netflix, Hulu, etc. 
• Social media networks such as Twitter or Reddit 
• Online communities and forums 
• Online sales portals 
• Ecommerce sites 
• Payment gateways 
• Any other online business that requires uptime on a 24/7 basis 
• Real-time messaging between users over WebSockets 
• Server monitoring 
• Any other kind of web service that needs to be scalable and performant at all times 
• Continuous Integration 
• Content Management Systems 
• Customer support portals 

6. What are some of the challenges faced when using the Node.js back-end?

Node.js is a powerful ally. 
Still, like any other technology, it has its own set of drawbacks in specific scenarios, which business owners should be aware of before starting their next project:

• Unsuitable for CPU-intensive applications 
• Poor in areas such as relational databases and indexing 
• Issues with exceptional cases - since NodeJS can't scale infinitely, it would be useless to use node for tasks that need constant scaling 
• Not good at all for offline applications 
• Poor in areas where security is very critical 
• Difficult to manage when multiple teams are working on the same application
• High memory 
• Lack of mature monitoring solutions 
• Not a good option when working with very sensitive data 
• Still in an early stage of development 
• Lack of native third-party modules 
• The learning curve is quite steep 
• Poor at performing sequential tasks 

7. What kind of payment model should be used for Nodejs back-end developers?

NodeJS developers usually work on a per-project basis and are paid hourly or by the project. 

8. How can one hire a freelancer to build their NodeJs website from scratch?

If you need Node.js development or developers for your next project, be sure to contact Duomly Labs. Our team of experts is more than happy to help.

9. How can I get started with Node.js?

To start using nodejs as a back-end, you would need an appropriate knowledge of JavaScript (since this is where it originated from). It also helps to have some experience with HTML and CSS since that's how web pages work in general. 

With these basics down, it's time to take your first steps into back-end development!

10. Conclusion:

Node JS has become one of the most popular languages developers use in recent years due to its ease of use, scalability, and connectivity. It is used to build scalable back-end applications for websites and real-time communication systems. Node JS users find it easier to maintain code which reduces the chances of errors - all these reasons prove why this particular language is at the forefront of modern development.

This article talks about how you can use nodejs for your next project's back-end development. As well as with its pros and cons to help business owners make better decisions when choosing where their priorities lie when it comes to building an app.

We hope you enjoyed the read! This article was written by Duomly Labs. We are a software development company creating custom web solutions using different technologies like Node.JS, Angular, React, React Native, Vue.js, Golang, Python, and even Blockchain.

If you need Node.js development or developers for your next project, be sure to contact us. Our team of experts is more than happy to help.

www.labs.duomly.com

Thank you for reading,
Radek from Duomly