What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open source server environment. It runs on the various platforms like (Windows, Linux,
Unix, Mac OS X etc.). It allows to use JavaScript on the server. It is normally used to build the backend
of the application and is highly scalable.

Why Node.js?
Real-time Applications: Node.js is particularly well-suited for building real-time applications like chat
applications, collaboration tools, and streaming services.
JSON and API Integration: Since JSON is a common format for data interchange, Node.js, which uses
JavaScript, naturally integrates well with JSON. This makes it particularly effective for building RESTful
APIs and handling JSON data efficiently.
High Performance: Node.js is built on the V8 JavaScript engine from Google, which compiles JavaScript
directly to machine code, making it extremely fast. Its single-threaded event loop model also helps in
handling a large number of simultaneous connections with high throughput.
JavaScript Everywhere: Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript for both frontend and backend
development. This unification of the programming language across the stack simplifies development,
reduces context switching, and allows for code reuse between the client and server sides.
Asynchronous and Event-Driven: Node.js operates on a non-blocking, event-driven architecture,
making it efficient and scalable for I/O-intensive tasks. This allows it to handle multiple connections
simultaneously, making it ideal for real-time applications such as chat applications, online gaming, and
live updates.

What is the difference between Node.js and JavaScript?

Node.js JavaScript

Server-side runtime environment Client-side scripting language

Allows running JavaScript code on server Primarily used for web development

Built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine Runs in a web browser’s JavaScript engine

Enables building scalable network

Executes code within a browser environment
applications

Provides access to file system and network

Limited to browser APIs and capabilities
resources

Supports event-driven, non-blocking I/O

Executes in a single-threaded event loop
operations

Used for building backend APIs, servers, Utilized for creating interactive web pages and
and applications client-side logic
 Is Node.js single-threaded?
Yes, Node.js is single-threaded by default. However, it utilizes event-driven architecture and non-
blocking I/O operations to handle multiple concurrent requests efficiently, enabling scalability and
high performance in applications.

What kind of API function is supported by Node.js?

 Synchronous: These API functions are used for blocking code.
 Asynchronous: These API functions are used for non-blocking code.

What is the difference between Synchronous and Asynchronous

functions?
Feature Synchronous Functions Asynchronous Functions

Execution Blocks the execution until the Does not block the execution; allows
Blocking task completes. other tasks to proceed concurrently.

Executes tasks sequentially; each Initiates tasks and proceeds with other
Waiting for
task must complete before the operations while waiting for
Completion
next one starts. completion.

Typically returns a promise, callback, or

Returns the result immediately
Return Value uses event handling to handle the result
after completion.
upon completion.

Error handling is more complex and

Error Errors can be easily caught with
often involves callbacks, promises, or
Handling try-catch blocks.
async/await syntax.

Suitable for simple, sequential Ideal for I/O-bound operations, network

Usage
tasks with predictable execution requests, and tasks requiring parallel
Scenario
flow. processing.

What is a module in Node.js?

In Node.js Application, a Module can be considered as a block of code that provide a simple or
complex functionality that can communicate with external application. Modules can be organized in a
single file or a collection of multiple files/folders. Modules are useful because of their reusability and
ability to reduce the complexity of code into smaller pieces. Some examples of modules are. http, fs,
os, path, etc.

What is npm and its advantages?

npm (Node Package Manager) is the default package manager for Node.js. It allows developers to
discover, share, and reuse code packages easily. Its advantages include dependency management,
version control, centralized repository, and seamless integration with Node.js projects.
 What is middleware?
Middleware is the function that works between the request and the response cycle. Middleware gets
executed after the server receives the request and before the controller sends the response.

What do you mean by event loop in Node.js?

The event loop in Node.js is a mechanism that allows it to handle multiple asynchronous tasks
concurrently within a single thread. It continuously listens for events and executes associated
callback functions.

What is control flow in Node.js?

Control flow in Node.js refers to the sequence in which statements and functions are executed. It
manages the order of execution, handling asynchronous operations, callbacks, and error handling to
ensure smooth program flow.

What are the main disadvantages of Node.js?

 Single-threaded nature: May not fully utilize multi-core CPUs, limiting performance.
 NoSQL preference: Relational databases like MySQL aren’t commonly used.
 Rapid API changes: Frequent updates can introduce instability and compatibility issues.

What is REPL in Node.js?

REPL in Node.js stands for Read, Evaluate, Print, and Loop. It is a computer environment similar to
the shell which is useful for writing and debugging code as it executes the code in on go.

How to import a module in Node.js?

We use the require module to import the External libraries in Node.js. The result returned by
require() is stored in a variable which is used to invoke the functions using the dot notation.

What is package.json in Node.js?

package.json in Node.js is a metadata file that contains project-specific information such as
dependencies, scripts, version, author details, and other configuration settings required for managing
and building the project.

What is the most popular Node.js framework used these days?

The most famous Node.js framework used is Express.js as it is highly scalable, efficient, and requires
very few lines of code to create an application.

What is web socket?

Web Socket is a protocol that provides full-duplex (multiway) communication i.e. allows
communication in both directions simultaneously. It is a modern web technology in which there is a
continuous connection between the user’s browser (client) and the server. In this type of
communication, between the web server and the web browser, both of them can send messages to
each other at any point in time.

What is a cluster in Node.js?

Due to a single thread in node.js, it handles memory more efficiently because there are no multiple
threads due to which no thread management is needed. Now, to handle workload efficiently and to
take advantage of computer multi-core systems, cluster modules are created that provide us the way
to make child processes that run simultaneously with a single parent process.

What is body-parser in Node.js?

Body-parser is the Node.js body-parsing middleware. It is responsible for parsing the incoming
request bodies in a middleware before you handle it. It is an NPM module that processes data sent in
HTTP requests.

What is callback hell?

Callback hell is an issue caused due to a nested callback. This causes the code to look like a pyramid
and makes it unable to read To overcome this situation we use promises.

What are the three methods to avoid callback hell?

 Using async/await()
 Using promises
 Using generators

What is fork in Node.js?

Fork is a method in Node.js that is used to create child processes. It helps to handle the increasing
workload. It creates a new instance of the engine which enables multiple processes to run the code.

What is the difference between setTimeout() and setImmediate()

method?
The setImmediate function is used to execute a particular script immediately whereas the setTimeout
function is used to hold a function and execute it after a specified period of time.

Explain the use of timers module in Node.js

The Timers module in Node.js contains various functions that allow us to execute a block of code or a
function after a set period of time. The Timers module is global, we do not need to use require() to
import it.
It has the following methods:
 setTimeout() method
 setImmediate() method
 setInterval() method
 What is event-driven programming in Node.js?
Event-driven programming is used to synchronize the occurrence of multiple events and to make the
program as simple as possible. The basic components of an Event-Driven Program are:
 A callback function ( called an event handler) is called when an event is triggered.
 An event loop that listens for event triggers and calls the corresponding event handler for that
event.

Node Child Process?

Node is a tool that uses JavaScript and has many useful parts to it. Normally, it does work with one
thread at a time, which means it can handle tasks without waiting. However, when there’s a lot of
work to be done, we use the child_process module to create additional threads. These extra threads
can talk to each other using a built-in messaging system.
Four different ways to create child process: -
 spawn() method
 fork() method
 exec() method
 execFile() method

Difference Between PUT and PATCH Request?

PUT: Replaces the entire resource with the new data provided.
PATCH: Partially updates the resource with only the data provided, leaving the rest of the resource
unchanged.