Key Concepts

Review core concepts you need to learn to master this subject

The node Command

Node.js REPL

Node.js Global Object

Node.js Process Object

Node.js process.argv

Node.js process.memoryUsage()

Node.js Modules

Node.js Core Modules

See more

The node Command

node app.js

We can execute Node.js programs in the terminal by typing the node command, followed by the name of the file.

The example command above runs app.js.

Introduction to Node.js
Lesson 1 of 1
  1. 1
    Introduction
    For a long time, the browser was the only place JavaScript code could be executed. Web developers had to use a different programming language on the front-end than the back-end. It also meant that,…
    Start
  2. 2
    The Node REPL
    REPL is an abbreviation for read–eval–print loop. It’s a program that loops, or repeatedly cycles, through three different states: a read state where the program reads…
    Start
  3. 3
    Running a Program with Node
    Node was designed with server-side web development in mind and has a lot of thoughtful functionality towards that end. At its most simple, however, it provides the ability to run JavaScript program…
    Start
  4. 4
    Core Modules
    Modularity is a software design technique where one program has distinct parts, each providing a single piece of the overall functionality. These separate modules come together to build a cohes…
    Start
  5. 5
    The Console Module
    One of the most commonly used Node.js core modules is the console module. In Node.js, the terminal is used to send and receive text feedback to and from a program, often for debugging purposes. Thi…
    Start
  6. 6
    The Process Module
    In computer science, a process is the instance of a computer program that is being executed. You can open Task Manager if you’re on a Windows machine or Activity Monitor from a Mac to see informa…
    Start
  7. 7
    The OS Module
    When developing or debugging an app, it can be helpful to have information about the computer, operating system, and network on which the program is running. Before Node, this information could not…
    Start
  8. 8
    The Util Module
    Developers sometimes classify outlier functions used to maintain code and debug certain aspects of a program’s functionality as utility functions. Utility functions don’t necessarily create new f…
    Start
  9. 9
    Review
    Awesome work! You’ve learned a lot about some fundamental Node.js concepts and modules. Let’s take a moment to review what we learned: + Node.js is a JavaScript runtime, an environment that allow…
    Start

How you'll master it

Stress-test your knowledge with quizzes that help commit syntax to memory

Pro Logo