Why Learn Node.js?

Node.js is a JavaScript framework that allows applications and software to run JavaScript code outside a web browser. This makes it an incredibly versatile framework, and it is the framework that makes elaborate software applications, ranging from chat programs to smart cars, operate. Have you ever explored all the things Node.js can do? Learning Node.js will allow programmers to work on increasingly elaborate web development and cutting-edge software projects. It will also set students up to learn other important JavaScript frameworks like React and MongoDB. Here, you’ll learn more about the careers that benefit from Node.js and how it can enhance your professional life. Regardless of your goals, learning Node.js is a valuable and impressive skill to add to your resume.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a commonly used JavaScript library that is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment. Node.js is among the most commonly used JavaScript libraries. It is by far the most commonly used runtime environment in the professional sector, with Node.js being used by over 98% of Fortune 500 companies. It allows users to create server-side architecture using JavaScript to build applications and webpages that constantly communicate information with server infrastructure without needing specific input from either the user or the server. This makes Node.js a vital programming tool 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 is what 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 communicate meaningfully with one another over an internet connection. If you are using your voice to ask the virtual assistant on your desk to instruct your thermostat to lower the temperature, 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 webpage functionalities 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 commonly 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 is also a vital part of making the Internet of Things possible. Node.js 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 the automotive and medical fields, skilled Node.js programmers will be able to construct complex, interconnected, potentially life-saving new technologies.

Common Professional Uses for Node.js

As more and more software applications are being designed to run outside of 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 by itself, developers will need to be at least versed in JavaScript to find work as a programmer (and to learn Node.js effectively). Still, they will also need to learn other important JavaScript libraries and frameworks like React, Express.js, and MongoDB. 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 the developing technology that undergirds 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 aspects. They use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to program functionality into web assets. They also utilize Node.js to build parts of a webpage that frequently update and interact with server infrastructure without prompting such as chat functions or push notifications. These developers may be less directly focused on specializing in tools like Node.js, but they still use it as part of their ongoing 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 typically handled by dozens or even hundreds of individuals in specialized teams. The Project Manager’s responsibility is to oversee these teams. Successful Project Managers need to understand the tools their teams use, including Node.js and JavaScript, on many projects. In addition, Project Managers must develop soft skills to manage the human side of a project and ensure it is completed on time and within budget.

Work on More Elaborate Projects

As students become proficient in more complex programming languages and frameworks, they can begin working on more sophisticated development projects. This is especially true for Node.js, which is essential to many cutting-edge subfields of software development. Node.js is vital for web applications such as Gmail and Facebook Messenger, and it is at the heart of content streaming services that are constantly competing to improve and refine their products. This means that Node.js skills are in high demand and central to fields at the forefront of new development technologies. Anyone who wants to work in this exciting and ever-evolving career field will benefit from learning advanced Node.js skills.

In addition, Node.js is one of the essential coding frameworks supporting the modern Internet of Things. In our daily lives, we encounter more and more devices and objects that rely on internet connectivity to make our daily routines more efficient and connected. These devices almost all run some amount of Node.js programming. Everything from push notifications on your phone to digital assistants communicating with smart home devices to cars using sensors to detect traffic and potential collisions is made possible thanks to Node.js. Anyone hoping to contribute to the development of this life-changing—and sometimes life-saving—technology should learn Node.js.

Learn Other JavaScript Frameworks

While some other coding libraries and frameworks offer similar functionality to Node.js, the ubiquity of JavaScript and its widespread adoption in the corporate world make it less practical to seek out alternatives. However, Node.js isn’t the only important JavaScript library students can learn. Learning Node.js gives students the foundational understanding needed to learn other frameworks more efficiently and with less hassle.

React is the most utilized JavaScript library currently available. Using React, developers can build reusable, stable code components that are easily modifiable and replicable. These components allow developers to work faster and more efficiently on JavaScript projects, making React an incredibly popular library—especially in mobile application development.

Express.js is a skill closely related to Node.js. Express.js allows developers to build the infrastructure that manages the data flow entering and leaving an application. It is also useful for creating middleware that processes data requests from an application. To build APIs in JavaScript or Node.js applications, you’ll need to learn Express.js.

Most JavaScript training courses also teach students how to use MongoDB, an object-oriented programming framework used for building and organizing databases in applications running Node.js. Like Express.js, it is often taught alongside Node.js to develop more well-rounded JavaScript Developers.

Whether you want to learn Express.js, MongoDB, or React, Noble offers course options designed for you. Noble also offers a comprehensive JavaScript Development Certificate program in which you can learn all of these frameworks alongside JavaScript and Node.js.

How to Start Learning Node.js

Interested in learning Node.js? There are several paths you can take to acquire these skills. The primary point to consider is that Node.js is rarely taught independently in live instruction courses. While it is an essential library, it is still part of JavaScript, meaning it is most often taught in the context of JavaScript instruction. Anyone who needs to familiarize themselves with JavaScript should enroll in a Node.js development class, and those who want to focus solely on Node.js should find a targeted training course.

Anyone interested in an immersive JavaScript education that includes Node.js should consider a live instruction class. These classes are taught by expert instructors and are available both in-person and through live online instruction. These courses are the best way to receive a comprehensive JavaScript education, as they provide hands-on experience with real-world projects and allow students to interact directly with their instructors for feedback and support.

Students learning in-person will benefit from the structured environment of a classroom and the presence of a cohort of like-minded peers. They will be able to focus better and learn directly from an experienced instructor in the room. They will also have access to an on-site computer lab. However, they will be limited to locations they can regularly commute to. Online students will be able to learn Node.js from the comfort of their homes and avoid the commute. They will need to supply their own technology and won’t have the benefit of working alongside classmates.

Those looking to target their education and learn only Node.js should ensure they are very comfortable coding with JavaScript. Node.js is not easy to learn, and individuals who are not confident in JavaScript may struggle. However, confident learners might consider an on-demand Node.js course. These asynchronous courses allow students to learn Node.js on their own schedule. This makes them ideal for self-paced learners and those focusing on a specific skill like Node.js. The drawback is that these classes lack live instructors, so learners must find alternative ways to resolve challenges during their training.

Noble also offers free introductory seminars and resources for people who are unsure whether learning Node.js is right for them or who want a general overview before committing to a full training course. On their official YouTube channel, you can watch 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 provides additional resources and articles on their Learn Node.js Page.

Read the full guide on how 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 typically taught alongside JavaScript as an equally essential 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 fundamentals 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 strong Node.js component—assume that students are already 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 enroll in, you’ll benefit from working 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 opportunity 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 will encounter 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 instruction in essential 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 foundational instruction in HTML, CSS, React, and back-end development.

These courses are career-focused training seminars, designed to take students from novices to trained professionals ready to enter the workforce as Web Developers. These courses provide hands-on training in the kinds of Node.js projects students are likely to work on and include 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 prepared to begin working as Node.js experts.

Key Insights

• Node.js is a JavaScript framework that allows software applications to run JavaScript code outside a web browser. It is among the most commonly used JavaScript frameworks across industries.
• Node.js is particularly important for its role in the Internet of Things, meaning that Software Engineers seeking to work in this rapidly growing, cutting-edge career field will need extensive Node.js training.
• Learning Node.js is also a great way to prepare for learning other important JavaScript frameworks. Few programmers work exclusively with JavaScript and Node.js, so mastering one skill facilitates further training in frameworks such as React (the most popular JavaScript framework), Express.js, and MongoDB.
• No matter your reason for learning Node.js, Noble Desktop can help you achieve your long-term goals with immersive instruction, available both in-person and through live online courses.