How to Learn Node.js

Node.js is a leading JavaScript framework that aids developers in building complex JavaScript programs. Its versatility and relevance to the development of smart devices and machines make it a crucial skill for anyone looking to advance their career in cutting-edge software development.

Key Insights

• Node.js is a powerful JavaScript framework that enables developers to run JavaScript outside a web browser, making it essential for creating mobile applications and smart devices.
• Given its use in several high-demand career fields, learning Node.js presents numerous opportunities.
• The optimal method of learning Node.js generally depends on an individual's existing knowledge and comfort level with JavaScript.
• For individuals seeking to learn or refresh their JavaScript skills, live instruction courses are recommended.
• Those well-versed in JavaScript might find on-demand training classes more suitable.
• Noble Desktop offers comprehensive live online or in-person classes and bootcamps, ideal for immersive JavaScript and Node.js training.

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 these objects run to serve their niche functions tend to rely on Node.js to build server environments and handle asynchronous data processing events that allow multiple physical objects to communicate meaningfully with one another over an internet connection. If you are using your voice to ask the virtual assistant on your desk to adjust your thermostat, Node.js infrastructure was likely vital in that exchange.

Read more about what Node.js is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Node.js?

Node.js is an incredibly versatile runtime environment that lets users construct virtually any program that uses the functionality of a webpage without needing to open a web browser. This is vital for many web applications, including 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 or weather updates in your application will require using Node.js.

Node.js is also a vital part of making the Internet of Things possible. It is one of the key frameworks and runtime environments that allow sensors to detect changes and stimuli and relay 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 thanks to Node.js. As this technology becomes more advanced and enters sectors like automotive and healthcare, skilled Node.js programmers will be able to construct complex, interconnected, potentially life-saving new technologies.

In-Person Node.js Training

Some people learn a new skill most efficiently when they are in the same room as an instructor providing them with guidance. These in-person Node.js training courses tend to teach Node.js through the lens of JavaScript training. While there are courses strictly focused on learning the Node.js framework, it is far more likely that commuting students will be learning multiple aspects of programming with JavaScript, including other frameworks like React. These courses offer students the chance to work with experienced instructors in a communal learning environment where they can ask questions and receive feedback and assistance on their work. These classes do tend to be isolated to only a handful of in-person training facilities, and some courses have significant prerequisites for enrollment.

Noble Desktop offers live JavaScript instruction at their Manhattan campus. In these classes, students will receive hands-on training from Noble’s expert instructors and all of the benefits of working in Noble’s state-of-the-art computer labs. For those who aren’t located in or around the Manhattan area, it may be worth examining other service providers such as CTS Training in Chicago or Claim Academy in St. Louis. While options will depend on where you live, these courses are still ideal for learning how to program in JavaScript using Node.js.

Live Online Node.js Training

People who don’t live near a training facility or who want to learn Node.js from the comfort of their personal workstations may be interested in enrolling in a live online Node.js course. These classes maintain all the advantages of in-person instruction without requiring students to leave their homes. It’s still possible to interact directly with a live instructor and receive feedback and assistance on their work. Like in-person courses, these courses tend to be more focused on general JavaScript training than Node.js in particular. In addition, students will need to provide their own technology.

Noble Desktop offers all of its Node.js courses through live online instruction. These classes are taught by Noble’s expert instructors and come with all the benefits of an in-person class taken at Noble’s Manhattan campus (except for access to the physical computer lab). Students will benefit from small class sizes and the ability to interface directly with their instructor. It’s even possible for them to allow their instructors to interact directly with their devices and code editors. Plus, students can retake the course anytime within a year. Students may also wish to explore the options offered through other online service providers such as Udemy or Coursera.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

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 Node.js 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 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 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 to help them learn how to use the library.

Read about more free Node.js videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Node.js Classes

One drawback to most live Node.js training options is that they emphasize teaching JavaScript fundamentals as well. For anyone familiar with JavaScript, an on-demand Node.js course may be an ideal way to target their training to that specific framework. These classes are also ideal for students who need to learn a specific skill within a specific timeframe. These courses allow participants to move as quickly or as slowly as needed, allowing them to learn at their own pace. The drawback is that these courses lack a live instructor, meaning that if students encounter difficulties with their training, they will need to find alternative sources of guidance and feedback.

These courses are available through many service providers such as Udemy and Skillshare. They vary in format, delivery method, and cost. The most common type of on-demand course consists of a structured and guided set of video lectures, though some are more focused on independent work modules. Some service providers require students to purchase courses individually, while others operate on a subscription-based access model.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

Given the wide range of options that students have for learning Node.js, some may find it challenging to choose the correct method of instruction. While this will vary from student to student, the most important factor in choosing a Node.js course is your comfort level with JavaScript. Students with extensive JavaScript experience will need different training than those who still need to learn JavaScript (or even programming basics).

Students who feel they need to learn how to code should consider enrolling in an immersive development career-skills course. These classes are designed to take students from novice coders to professional programmers and are the ideal place to learn everything from HTML and CSS to Node.js. In addition, these classes tend to offer students professional development training. Students with a background in coding or who simply want more focused JavaScript training should consider enrolling in a live JavaScript bootcamp. These courses are more targeted in their training, making them ideal for students who need to fill a specific skill gap. These courses are available as live training seminars and can be taken either in-person or online.

Choosing between in-person or online training may come down to logistics. Students must determine whether they can commit the time and effort required to commute to a training facility. Students who can’t or prefer not to commute will find live online instruction to be the most convenient option for immersive Node.js training. Both instructional formats provide access to live instructors who can offer feedback and assistance. In an in-person class, students can also take advantage of a training center’s computer lab, while online students can work on their personal devices from the comfort of their own workstations.

Students who understand JavaScript and want to receive focused Node.js training should consider enrolling in an on-demand course. These classes let students learn at their own pace and define the specific skills they want to prioritize. This makes them ideal for learning tools like Node.js because students can find courses that assume familiarity with JavaScript. The drawback to these courses is that even experienced programmers may encounter difficulties when learning Node.js, and on-demand courses aren’t taught by live instructors. This means that students who run into challenges will need to find alternate means of receiving assistance, which can be fairly difficult and there’s no guarantee the assistance will be useful.

Why Learn Node.js?

Node.js is an incredibly versatile JavaScript library that is being refined and used in many development sectors. It enables users to build the back-end server infrastructure necessary for applications that remain constantly connected to and query servers without downloading new information. It is most commonly used in applications requiring real-time data exchange between multiple devices and servers such as content streaming platforms, chatbots, and other communication tools. Node.js allows applications and webpages to run JavaScript functionalities outside a web browser that directly queries an HTML address. It also improves responsiveness to a wide range of stimuli, making it essential for building virtual assistants, automated environmental systems, and other sensor-driven applications.

Node.js is the largest and most widely used JavaScript library in the world. Anyone looking to program complex applications, particularly those designed to run outside a web browser, should learn how to use Node.js. As the devices we use in our daily lives become increasingly connected, the software that enables these systems to function is also becoming more complex. With this growing complexity comes an increasing demand for skilled programmers, especially as the stakes rise. The Internet of Things—where physical objects like cars, lights, and appliances are interconnected—is becoming a core part of modern life. While the stakes may be low for applications that turn on lights via voice command, they are significantly higher for those that detect car accidents and automatically alert emergency services. As these types of applications become more common, the ability to carefully and precisely utilize Node.js will be essential for engineers.

Read more about why you should learn Node.js.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, and Cost

The difficulty of learning Node.js largely depends on your knowledge of JavaScript. It is relatively easy for those with significant experience coding in JavaScript, but beginners will likely require supplemental training, which can make the process both more challenging and more expensive.

Learning Node.js comes with a few significant prerequisites. The most important requirement is familiarity with JavaScript, as Node.js is a JavaScript library. This typically isn’t a major issue, since many JavaScript courses include Node.js instruction. However, learning JavaScript itself requires knowledge of HTML and CSS, along with basic coding skills. Many JavaScript courses do not cover HTML and CSS, so students should ensure they meet the prerequisites for any course they intend to take.

Node.js is an open-source JavaScript library that is free to download and use. While paid services and hosting platforms that use Node.js are available, the code and framework are freely accessible through the official Node.js website.

Read about how difficult it is to learn Node.js.

Learn Node.js with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

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. Then they will receive training in how to utilize Node.js to expand the scope and functionality of those web applications. Many of these classes, particularly those with a significant Node.js component, presume that students are familiar with basic coding skills, particularly HTML and CSS, so reviewing course prerequisites is advised.

At Noble Desktop, students can learn Node.js in a wide array of course settings. However, no matter which program you enroll in, you’ll benefit from the opportunity to interface with expert instructors in small, intimate classes that rarely exceed twenty students. Even online, students are placed in private classrooms with live instructors who can answer questions and provide real-time feedback. You can also retake any course within one year, giving students an extra chance to hone their Node.js skills.

Noble offers JavaScript and Node.js instruction in its web development certificate curriculum. These courses provide hands-on training in JavaScript and Node.js by assigning projects that mirror the kinds of real-world projects students can expect to work on in professional settings. You can choose to enroll in the JavaScript Development Certificate program or the Full Stack Development Certificate program. In these classes, you will receive professional career instruction in web development skills, including JavaScript. Students in the JavaScript Development Certificate program will learn how to use the advanced features of JavaScript and Node.js to build complex web applications. Students enrolled in the Full Stack Development Certificate program will receive this training alongside introductory HTML and CSS instruction, React training, and back-end development instruction.

These courses are career-focused training seminars, designed to take students from novices in the field and graduate them as trained professionals ready to enter the workforce as Web Developers. These courses provide hands-on training in the types of Node.js projects students will be hired to work on and offer one-on-one professional mentorship as part of their professional development. Students will conclude the course by working on a final web development sample portfolio. Upon completion, they will be awarded a career development certificate that signals to employers that they are ready to begin working as Node.js experts.

Key Insights

• Node.js is an important JavaScript framework that allows developers to design software applications that run JavaScript outside a web browser. This makes it vital for building things like mobile applications and smart devices.
• Node.js is utilized in several in-demand career fields, and those looking to learn this skill will have a wide array of options available.
• While every student is different, as a general rule, the best way to learn Node.js will depend on how much JavaScript training a student feels they need.
• Students who need to learn or brush up on JavaScript should look to live instruction courses.
• Students confident in their JavaScript abilities will want to consider on-demand training classes.
• Anyone looking for immersive JavaScript and Node.js training should consider Noble Desktop’s live online or in-person classes and bootcamps.