Why are Big Companies using Node.js for their Apps?
Node.js is a well-kept secret of some of the most prominent enterprises that use web-based applications today. Even though it has arrived reasonably late, Node.js has dominated the entire application development process with its optimal features. From concurrence to being a lightweight runtime and everything in between, Node.js has upended the development of large scale apps. The 2018 Node.js Survey Report cited that 85% of the active users deploy it for Web apps. Let’s talk a bit more about the big names that rely on Node.js for the seamless distribution of their services.
Big Companies that use Node.js: Netflix, PayPal, Linkedin, Uber, eBay, Walmart, Trello, Medium, NASA, and Groupon. These are the most familiar and most prominent names that are using Node.js for developing their respective web applications.
And there is not one reason why companies of this scale are relying on Node.js, there are many. Netflix likes it for the lightweight architecture and the swift functioning of Node.js. And the same goes for Linkedin.
Walmart observes multiple customer requests at one time. And the concurrency provided by Node.js comes to rescue in this matter. Uber is yet another example of Node.js’ efficiency. Uber has regularly scaled its business operations, and the easy scalability offered by Node.js has allowed them to do the same with ease.
For PayPal, the issues arising out of website and application development were also solved with Node.js. It allowed the developers to work in cohesion with each other.
eBay is yet another beneficiary of Node.js’ efficiency. eBay utilizes the ability of Node.js to handle an immense number of requests. Also, the vast array of information that is displayed on the application page is also possible due to Node.js. The list does not end here. From organizations like NASA to Groupon, they all are using Node.js for their development purposes. Microsoft, Github, Yahoo, Google, and Mozilla, everyone prefers Node.js over other frameworks. But, what are these benefits that have made all these companies careen towards Node.js. Let’s take our discussion further and know about the benefits accorded to the users.
What is Node.js and Why You Should Use it? Javascript has brought out some fantastic frameworks and languages for the aid of developers. And the fact that mostly the giant enterprises are leveraging the ease of development. The official statement by Node.js developers is that it is a platform to build fast and scalable network applications. The applications built on node.js are written in Javascript, and it can run on Windows, OS X, and Linux. Listed below are the benefits of Node.js and the reasons why big companies are shifting to this new environment.
1. A lightweight Platform: There are two things that make Node.js a lightweight framework. One is the asynchronous event-driven I/O. The other is the single thread operation. Due to this, Node.js can handle a huge number of operations at once.
2. Faster than its predecessors: Node.js does not create a thread every time a new request is initiated. This does not hold up the RAM bottlenecking the pathway for other operations.
Node.js helps create web-applications that open two way connections. This means that unlike the previous frameworks, both the client and server can now start a communication.
3. NPM: More popularly called Node Package Manager, this is by far one of the best things that come along with Node.js. Coding is complex. It is painstaking down to its very last fragment. So, when the developers are getting a ready-made package of codes or open-source software packages (in technical jargon) their load of work gets a bit lighter. This further increases the speed of their work. It reduces the cost of operations and adds to the securitization of the application. The npm website has a full list of package modules that can be used in the development process.
4. Easy to Scale: Just like Uber did, with Node.js it is easier to integrate different fragments of an application and also increase their operational area. With tools like the PM2 Process Manager and Cluster Module, scalability can be achieved at any point. The fact that it can handle up to 600 thousand concurrent connections further cements its authenticity and convenience to scale at will.
5. Microservices: Larger apps that handle millions of requests on a daily basis should be developed in different self contained units. The major benefit of this aspect is that every single unit which is although separate, it can work as a whole unit for running the application. With Node.js all of it is possible and you can also scale the single individual units without having to tweak the other individual units. More importantly, this allows the organizations to have different teams for every single unit and monitor its proficiency. This way, teams can also be hired in different parts of the world and they can still be with each other smoothly.
6. Cross Functionality of Developers: Because Node.js is an easier framework to work with, you won’t need to have a dedicated team member looking towards one operational aspect. A full-stack will find Node.js pretty awesome. There’s no need to learn additional languages for working on the front end and back end of the application.
7. Long Term Support: In a world where things get outdated pretty fast and sometimes without notice, Node.js assures that every release will stay put for a minimum of 18 months. Added to this, there is another period of 12 months that can be utilized for bug fixes and maintenance. More importantly, Node.js maintains that in this time period there will be no new additions to the current release. And somewhere down the line, this stability is also imperative for the big-sized applications.
Is it easier to make the switch to Node.js? In terms of switching to a new framework that is faster, more efficient, and scalable, you should take the leap and go for it.
Look at the brighter side, you will get a better scope of app development while putting in less work. So, it does not matter which framework you are working on at present, it is easier to make the switch and enter a new world of opportunities with Node.js.
Conclusion: And now you know why all the big companies are actively using Node.js? They find it to be better at everything while saving them cost and time. So, Node.js is a full package when it comes to app development. In true sense, Node.js does not provide anything new to the users, but it fills the gaping voids that are left by other frameworks in the development process.