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3 Key Reasons to go with Node.js for your Enterprise Web Application

Since its inception in 2009, the Node.js framework has become a major player in the world of web application development. But how does it work, and what’s so special about it that’s made it so popular?

It’s All About Speed

Node.js is an asynchronous environment that has separate processors for “listening” to triggers and executing code based on the triggers being activated. The “js” refers to JavaScript, a high-level programming language that is considered one of the core pillars of the modern web.

Every time you ask a website or application to do something, you’re really asking it to do several tasks. For example, loading the page you’re reading right now involved the web server fetching and serving images, querying the WordPress database for the content, compiling the CSS files that make everything look good, and mixing them together in a format that your web browser understands to make the final result.

The key advantage of Node’s asynchronous structure is that performing one task does not stop the system from doing anything else at the same time. In fact, Node.js is built around the concept of potentially doing dozens, hundreds or even thousands of small tasks simultaneously. This is why applications built in Node.js are known for their responsiveness.

Real Time Applications

Now that we have a system designed around delivering content in real time, and continually listening for user input with no impact on speed, we can start making applications that give people instant response.

Node.js is particularly apt for real time messaging, video-on-demand systems or organisations that collate multiple sources of information that are continually being updated externally, such as news or financial data providers. By using a load-balancing system, the server that hosts the Application can ensure everyone gets the same service.

A Worldwide Standard

Another key advantage of Node.js is that it’s an open source framework that’s supported by developers around the world who are continually making new fixes and improvements to benefit all users. This, coupled with the technological advantages offered by the platform, is a large part of why it’s been taken up by major technological players.

Netflix used it as a key part of their video streaming service, and they found that they improved load times by up to 70% when they made the switch several years ago. For a system that is all about giving users high resolution video within seconds, that’s an important change.

Other companies that use Node.js include LinkedIn, PayPal, Groupon and the massive cloud computing environment known as Amazon Web Services. This large-scale industry support ensures that development will continue for many years to come and continue to improve the versatility and scope of the modern internet.

At iFactory, we develop large-scale applications using Node.js and similar development environments, custom-built for speed and user responsiveness. Talk to the team at iFactory today to find out more.

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