Getting Started with Node.js: Your First Steps in the World of JavaScript Beyond Browsers

Before we dive into the rich landscape of Node.js development, let’s take our first steps by setting up our development environment and writing a simple “Hello, World!” program. If you’re new to Node.js, fear not – we’ll guide you through the process.

What is Node.js?

Node.js, often referred to simply as Node, is a JavaScript runtime environment that enables the execution of JavaScript code outside of web browsers. It’s open-source, cross-platform, and empowers developers to build server-side applications, command-line tools, and more using JavaScript.

Setting Up Your Development Environment

Let’s start by preparing our development environment. Follow these steps to ensure you have everything you need:

1. Install a Code Editor

Choose a code editor of your preference. In this guide, we’ll use Visual Studio Code (VS Code). You can download it from code.visualstudio.com.

2. Install Node.js

Head over to nodejs.org and download the latest version of Node.js (at the time of writing, it’s version 21.5.0). Install Node.js by following the default settings.

3. Verify Installation

Open Visual Studio Code in a folder of your choice. Access the integrated terminal by going to View > Terminal or using the shortcut Ctrl + backtick. Run the command node -v to check the installed Node.js version. If successful, you should see the version number; otherwise, try reinstalling Node.js.

Executing JavaScript Code with Node.js

Now that our environment is set up let’s explore two methods of executing JavaScript code with Node.js.

Method 1: Node REPL (Read-Evaluate-Print Loop)

1. In the terminal, type clear and press Enter to clear the contents.
2. Type node and press Enter to start an interactive shell.
3. Experiment with JavaScript expressions like console.log("hello world") and see the results.

Method 2: Executing Code from a File

1. Create a new file in your chosen folder, e.g., index.js.
2. Inside the file, write console.log("hello from kolakachi.com").
3. Save the file and run node index.js in the terminal.
4. You should see the output, “hello from kolakachi.com,” indicating that your JavaScript code has been successfully executed.

Congratulations! You’ve just executed your first piece of JavaScript code outside the browser, thanks to Node.js.

What’s Next?

With your environment set up and the basics covered, you’re now ready to explore the expansive capabilities of Node.js. In the upcoming articles, we’ll delve deeper into building applications, understanding the Node.js ecosystem, and harnessing the power of JavaScript on the server-side.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. If you found this helpful, consider dropping a comment, and we’ll see you in the next installment as we continue our exploration of Node.js!