Java Reference
In-Depth Information
transformed the JavaScript landscape. Node.js means that JavaScript can be run without
using a browser, so JavaScript can now be used to write server-side code or command-line
tools that interact with the file system.
As a JavaScript ninja, you'll probably install Node anyway to use the many tools that will
make your life easier (such as Grunt, which we saw in the
previous chapter
). Node.js can
be used to write your own tools that help to automate your workflow, or to build server-side
applications (such as full stack), scalable web applications, dynamic websites that link to
back-end databases, and web API services. Node.js is increasingly being used to develop
large-scale websites and applications, with companies such as PayPal, Groupon, and Yahoo
using it to deliver parts of their sites.
Due to the asynchronous nature of JavaScript, Node.js has a number of advantages over
traditional server-side languages such as PHP, Python, and Ruby. It's ideally suited for real-
time update applications with lots of concurrent users as it's able to quickly deal with re-
quests in a non-blocking way.
If you want to learn more about Node.js, why not take a look at
Jump Start Node.js
by Don
And There's More!
And it doesn't stop there―JavaScript is becoming the language of choice for communic-
ating with devices via APIs provided by the manufacturers. The so-called “
Internet of Th-
mation devices and even robots! Knowledge of JavaScript will enable you to program an
ever-growing list of electronic devices.
This
brilliant article
by Patrick Catanzariti lists a large number of devices that use
JavaScript as their scripting language.
