JavaScript All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 1

Node.js Fundamentals

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding Node.js

Using Node.js from the Command Line with REPL

Making modules

Reading environment variables

Accepting arguments

Running Node.js programs

Invoking the callback pattern

“Complexity that works is built up out of modules that work perfectly, layered one over the other.”

—KEVIN KELLY

Browsers aren't the only places where JavaScript code can run. In Book 7, you learn about Node.js, which makes it possible for you to run JavaScript on web servers, in your local development environment, on single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi, and more.

In this chapter, I describe what Node.js is, explain how it works, and tell you what makes it so useful. I also spell out the basics of interacting with Node.js and running Node.js ...