Node.js is one of the most popular and in-demand JavaScript frameworks. This open-source library lets developers build software programs that run JavaScript code outside of a web browser. If you’ve always wanted to learn Node.js but can’t figure out how to get started, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll learn more about the various ways to learn Node.js, free resources to take advantage of, and the types of careers that commonly use Node.js.
Node.js is a commonly used JavaScript library and an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment. Node.js is among the most commonly utilized JavaScript libraries. It is by far the most commonly used runtime environment in the professional sector, with Node.js being utilized by upwards of 98% of Fortune 500 companies. It allows users to create server-side architecture using JavaScript to build applications and webpages that constantly communicate information to server infrastructure without requiring specific input from either the user or the server. This makes Node.js a vital programming library for any application that needs to be constantly connected to a server without needing to query that server at any given moment. For instance, it is part of the server architecture that allows users to stream video content on the internet without needing to download an entire video file; it also allows online chat tools to function.
Node.js is also an integral tool in the continued development and refinement of the Internet of Things. More and more of our daily lives involve interacting with devices connected to the internet, ranging from our watches and phones to our cars and refrigerators. The various applications that these objects run to serve their niche functions tend to rely on Node.js to build the server environments and the asynchronous data processing events that allow multiple physical objects to be in meaningful communication with one another over an internet connection. If you are using your voice to tell the virtual assistant on your desk to tell your thermostat to lower the temperature, Node.js infrastructure likely played a vital role in that exchange.
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Node.js is an incredibly versatile runtime environment that lets users construct virtually any program that seeks to use the functionalities of a webpage without needing to open up a web browser. This is vital for many web applications such as almost all direct messaging programs and chatbot software. If you are designing an application and want to include a live chat feature, you will likely need to use Node.js. Node.js is also used for single-page web applications like Google Docs and Gmail. Even something as simple as including push notifications or scrolling news and weather updates in your application will require using Node.js.
Node.js also plays a vital role in enabling the Internet of Things. Node.js is one of the key frameworks and runtime environments that allow sensors to detect changes and transmit that information to a device connected to the internet. This means that if you use the voice command on a digital assistant to tell your Bluetooth speaker system to lower its volume, you are using a program made possible by Node.js. As this technology becomes more advanced and enters sectors like the automotive and medical fields, skilled Node.js programmers will be able to construct complex, interconnected, potentially life-saving new technologies.
As more and more software applications are being designed to run outside the space of a web browser and the Internet of Things becomes a more significant part of our daily lives, the demand for skilled JavaScript programmers who know how to use Node.js is only going to increase. Since Node.js is a JavaScript framework rather than a programming language on its own, developers will need to be at least versed in JavaScript to find work as a programmer (and to actually learn Node.js). Still, they will also need to learn other important JavaScript libraries and frameworks like React, Express.js, and MongoDB. However, for these specialized programmers, a wide variety of career options are available such as:
JavaScript Developer: JavaScript Developers are specialized Software Engineers who focus on developing web applications and software using JavaScript. While they primarily work on web browser applications, those who use Node.js extensively will be working on applications that allow devices to access JavaScript programs without needing to access a server or browser directly. These developers will be working heavily on developing the technology that underpins the Internet of Things such as smart devices and digital assistants. This rapidly expanding career field offers JavaScript Developers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects across a wide range of industries.
Front-End Developer: Front-End Developers are tasked with building and maintaining the client-facing side of a web application. This includes both its visual qualities and its functional qualities, meaning they will use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to program functionality into web assets. They will also utilize Node.js to build the aspects of a webpage that frequently update and consult with server infrastructure without user prompting such as chat functions or push notifications. These developers will be less directly focused on specializing in Node.js, but they will still use it as part of their projects.
Project Managers: In the modern web development world, very few projects are undertaken by individuals. Only very small firms and companies contract web development projects to small teams. Instead, software and web development projects are usually worked on by dozens or even hundreds of individuals in teams specializing in specific aspects of the design project. The Project Manager's responsibility is overseeing these teams. Successful Project Managers need to know how to use their teams' tools, including Node.js and JavaScript on many projects. In addition, Project Managers also need to learn the soft skills necessary to manage the human element of a given project to ensure it is completed on time and within budget.
Node.js is an incredibly versatile JavaScript library that is being refined and utilized in many different development sectors. It lets users build the back-end server infrastructure necessary for applications that are constantly connected to and querying servers without the need for downloading new information. It is most commonly utilized in applications requiring real-time information exchanges between multiple devices and servers such as content streaming applications or chatbots and other communication tools. It allows applications and webpages to run JavaScript functionalities outside a web browser without directly querying an HTML address. It is also used to make those applications more responsive to a wider range of stimuli, making it an essential tool for building virtual assistants, automated environmental programs, or other applications that utilize sensors to receive and interpret data.
Node.js is the largest JavaScript library in the world, and it is also by far the most used. Anyone looking to program complex applications, particularly those designed to run outside of a web browser, will want to learn how to use Node.js. As the devices we use in our daily lives become increasingly connected, the underlying software applications that allow those systems to operate will become increasingly complex. As this complexity increases, the demand for skilled programmers will only continue to grow, especially as the stakes grow in this development. The Internet of Things, wherein physical objects we take for granted are becoming increasingly interconnected, is becoming a more central fact of our lives. While the stakes are low with things like building programs that listen for your voice to turn on lights in a room, they are much higher for companies attempting to develop applications that gauge the speed of your car to detect whether or not you have been in an accident and call for emergency services. As these kinds of applications become more common, learning how to carefully and precisely utilize Node.js will be essential for engineers.
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Interested in learning Node.js? There are a few different paths you can take to acquire these skills. The primary point to consider is that Node.js is rarely taught on its own in live instruction courses. While it is an essential library, it is still a library of JavaScript, meaning that it is most often taught as part of JavaScript instruction. Anyone who needs to familiarize themselves with JavaScript will want to enroll in a Node.js development class, and those who just want to learn Node.js will want to find a targeted training course.
Anyone interested in an immersive JavaScript education covering Node.js should consider a live instruction class. These classes are taught by expert instructors and are available both in-person and live online. These courses are the best way to receive a comprehensive JavaScript education and allow students to work hands-on with real-world projects and interact directly with their instructors to receive feedback and assistance.
Students learning in-person will benefit from the structure and design of a classroom learning environment and the presence of a cohort of like-minded peers. They will be able to filter out distractions and learn directly from an experienced instructor in the room with them. They will also be able to take advantage of an on-site computer lab. However, they will be restricted to locations they can commute to regularly and will need to commute. Online students will be able to learn Node.js from the comfort of their homes and can bypass the commute. They will need to supply their own technology and won’t be working alongside other students in-person.
Those interested in targeting their education and learning only Node.js will want to ensure they are highly comfortable coding with JavaScript. Node.js is not trivial to learn, and those who aren’t comfortable with JavaScript may face difficulties. However, confident learners may wish to consider an on-demand Node.js course. These asynchronous courses let students learn skills like Node.js on their own schedule. This makes them ideal for people looking to learn at their own pace or target a specific skill like Node.js. The drawback is that these classes lack live instructors, so participants must find other means of addressing any difficulties that arise during their training.
Noble also offers free introductory seminars and resources for people who aren’t sure whether learning Node.js is right for them or who want to get a general sense of the program before enrolling in a larger training course. On their official YouTube page, you can view a free tutorial seminar, Intro to Node.js. In this video, you will receive an introductory overview of the functions and applications of Node.js, preparing you for more immersive study in a JavaScript training course. Noble also has a collection of resources and articles available on their Learn Node.js page.
Read the full guide on how to learn Node.js.
Anyone interested in learning the basic features of Node.js without enrolling in an immersive JavaScript course will want to consider their options for free online classes. These classes aren’t a substitute for professional skills training, but they are an ideal place to learn the basics of the library in preparation for more advanced skills training.
Noble Desktop offers a few options for free Node.js instruction. On their official YouTube page, you can watch an Intro to Node.js seminar that provides an overview of the library and its primary functions and applications. You will learn how Node.js works and how developers can use it to build web applications that operate outside a browser's scope. Once you have watched this video, if you are looking for more free online tutorials, you can explore the options available on the Web Development Playlist on their YouTube channel or visit their Learn JavaScript resources page.
Interested users can also explore their options for free training seminars through providers such as Udemy or Codecademy. These classes will vary in content and delivery style, but they will still provide an overview of the basic features of the Node.js library. Some may also wish to explore the resources on the official Node.js webpage for free and open-source tools they can use to learn how to work with the library.
Read about more free Node.js videos and online tutorials.
The difficulty of learning Node.js will largely depend on your knowledge of JavaScript. It is a relatively easy library to use for anyone with significant experience coding in JavaScript, but those without this background may need supplemental training, which can make the process both more difficult and more expensive.
Learning Node.js comes with a few important prerequisites. The most notable requirement is that you must be familiar with JavaScript, since Node.js is a JavaScript library. This typically isn’t an issue, as JavaScript training courses usually dedicate time to covering Node.js. However, to learn JavaScript, you will also need to know HTML and CSS (alongside basic coding skills), and many JavaScript courses do not offer this foundational training. You must ensure you meet the prerequisites for any JavaScript class you plan to enroll in.
Node.js is an open-source JavaScript library that is free to download and use. While there are paid services and hosting platforms that use Node.js, the core framework and code are available for free through the Node.js website.
Read about how difficult it is to learn Node.js.
While some other coding libraries and frameworks provide similar functionality to Node.js, the ubiquity of JavaScript and its widespread use in the corporate world makes it less ideal to try to find an alternative framework to replace Node.js training. However, Node.js isn’t the only important JavaScript library available. While JavaScript developers will ultimately benefit from learning all major frameworks, deciding which to learn first and which to prioritize is an important decision.
React is currently the most widely used JavaScript library. With React, developers can build reusable, stable code components that are easy to modify and replicate. These components help developers work more efficiently on JavaScript projects, making React especially popular in mobile application development.
Express.js is a skill closely related to Node.js. Express.js lets developers build the infrastructure to manage data flow into and out of an application. It is also useful for building middleware that sorts and processes data requests. To build APIs for JavaScript or Node.js applications, you’ll need to learn Express.js.
Most JavaScript training courses will also teach MongoDB, an object-oriented database framework for organizing data in applications that use Node.js. Like Express.js, MongoDB is often taught alongside Node.js to create more well-rounded JavaScript developers.
Whether you want to learn Express.js, MongoDB, or React, Noble offers course options for you. They also offer a comprehensive JavaScript Development Certificate program, where you can learn all of these frameworks along with JavaScript and Node.js.
Since Node.js is a framework for executing JavaScript code in different runtime environments, the best way to learn Node.js will likely depend on your experience level with JavaScript. Anyone with extensive JavaScript training or experience will find that targeted skills training is ideal. In contrast, students who don’t have a background in JavaScript will want to pursue more immersive career training programs.
Those with a background in JavaScript who want to improve their skills by learning to use the basic functions of Node.js will want to enroll in a targeted course such as an on-demand training option or a free training seminar. These courses are typically ideal only for people who are intimately familiar with JavaScript as a programming language. Even students with a minor background in JavaScript will likely need additional training to learn Node.js effectively.
Developers who are already familiar with JavaScript but want additional training to complement their Node.js skills—or those who aren’t familiar with JavaScript but do know HTML and CSS—should consider enrolling in a targeted JavaScript development bootcamp. These courses are designed for students seeking hands-on programming education and who want to focus on specific JavaScript training. Because they are focused on specific topics, they may have significant prerequisites, but they are an ideal path for students who meet those requirements and want to learn Node.js.
Those with no significant background in coding but who are sure they want to learn Node.js should consider enrolling in an immersive programming career certificate program. These classes take students from complete novices to expert professionals over weeks or months of dedicated study. These courses are the best option for those who anticipate needing substantial training and want to benefit from the career support services these programs often include. They tend to be the most expensive option, but also the most comprehensive.
People who think they might want to learn Node.js but aren’t certain that a new career path is their goal may want to take advantage of free training resources to ease into learning the framework. These courses won’t replace professional training options, but they can help prevent students from diving in too deep without a clear understanding of their goals.
Since Node.js is a JavaScript library, it is rarely taught on its own. It is so ubiquitous in professional JavaScript development that it is often taught alongside JavaScript as an equally crucial professional skill. Therefore, those looking to learn how to use Node.js will likely do so within the context of a JavaScript class or bootcamp. In these classes, students will learn the basics of using JavaScript to code web applications and then receive training in how to utilize Node.js to expand the scope and functionality of those applications. Many of these classes, particularly those with a significant Node.js component, assume that students are familiar with basic coding skills—particularly HTML and CSS—so reviewing course prerequisites is recommended.
At Noble Desktop, students can learn Node.js in a wide array of course settings. However, no matter which program you choose, you’ll benefit from working with expert instructors in small, intimate classes that rarely exceed twenty students. Even online, students are placed in private virtual classrooms with live instructors who can answer questions and provide feedback in real time. You can also retake any course within one year, giving students an extra opportunity to refine their Node.js skills.
Noble offers JavaScript and Node.js instruction through its web development certificate programs. These courses provide hands-on training in JavaScript and Node.js by assigning coding projects that mirror the kind of real-world tasks students can expect in their professional careers. You can choose to enroll in the JavaScript Development Certificate program or the Full Stack Development Certificate program. In these classes, you’ll receive professional career training in web development, including JavaScript. Students in the JavaScript Development Certificate program will learn to use the advanced features of JavaScript and Node.js to build complex web applications. Students in the Full Stack Development Certificate program will receive this training alongside introductory HTML and CSS training, React instruction, and back-end development education.
These courses are career-focused training seminars designed to take students from beginners to trained professionals ready to enter the workforce as Web Developers. They deliver practical training in the kinds of Node.js projects students will be hired to work on and provide one-on-one professional mentorship as part of their career development. Students will finish the course by creating a final web development portfolio. Upon completion, they will receive a career development certificate signaling to employers that they are ready to begin work as Node.js professionals.
Learn how to build web apps with JavaScript, one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Develop in-demand skills, including creating dynamic web applications with React and Node.js, working with APIs, and incorporating third-party frameworks and libraries.
Gain the skills and knowledge to become a Full Stack Developer and meet the growing demand for professionals who can develop and maintain web applications. This project-oriented course teaches you how to code websites from scratch, and you'll build a portfolio of working web applications to showcase to potential employers.