Tag: nodejs

Building Microservices with Node.js and gRPC

Introduction to Microservices and gRPC

Building and managing large applications is a complex task. To simplify this, companies often break down these applications into multiple microservices. These microservices are small, independently deployable, and loosely connected, making it easier for separate teams to manage different parts of the application. For effective communication between these microservices, gRPC is a popular choice due to its lightness, performance, and type safety. Developed by Google, it uses HTTP/2 for transport and Protocol Buffers to serialize structured data.

In this comprehensive blog, we will explore how to create microservices with Node.js and facilitate their communication using gRPC.

Setting Up the Repository for Microservices

To start, we'll create a new project repository, structure our workspace, and organize the services and packages. Our directory layout will include src, dist, protos, and service folders. The protos directory will be particularly important, as it will contain our Protocol Buffer (protobuf) files which define the structure of the data and services for gRPC.

Defining the Protobuf for the product-service

The product-service microservice will use a protobuf file namely product.proto. This file will define the data structures related to products such as Product, and services like ProductService with RPC methods CreateProduct, GetProduct, and ListProducts. The product.proto file provides the contract for data communication.

Generating Typescript Files from Protobuf

Once the protobuf file is ready, we'll need to transform these definitions into language-specific code. Using tools like ts-proto alongside protoc, we can generate TypeScript files that include type-safe stubs for client and server implementations. The build script we write will facilitate this process, ensuring that our dist directory contains the necessary JavaScript and type declaration files.

Creating the gRPC Server

The product-service needs a gRPC server. We will use Node.js and additional libraries like typeorm to integrate database operations. After setting up our package.json using npm init, we'll structure our server code within the src directory, including:

  • A models directory with a product.ts defining the product entity.
  • A database folder with an index.ts file to configure our data source.
  • The main.ts file, which will configure and start our gRPC server.

We need to install various dependencies and create the tsconfig.json file to compile TypeScript into JavaScript.

Implementing Server Functionality

Within the server implementation, located in server.ts, we'll create methods corresponding to the RPC services defined in our protobuf file. These methods include createProduct, getProduct, and listProducts. If a service is called but not implemented, the server responds with the status UNIMPLEMENTED.

By setting up controllers in src/controllers/product.controller.ts, we can handle incoming RPC requests. The ProductController class will contain methods like createProduct, which takes a CreateProductRequest from the client and converts it into a Product entity to be stored in the database.

Handling Errors and Feedback

Our server implementation needs to handle various scenarios, such as when a product is not found (NOT_FOUND) or when an internal server error occurs (INTERNAL). It also maps the data from our database into the structures defined in our protobuf file, ensuring the correct format when sending responses back to the client through methods like ListProducts and GetProduct.

Creating a gRPC Client

For testing our server, we create a gRPC client. Using npm init, we scaffold another package.json file in a test-client folder. After setting up tsconfig.json, we write a main.ts in the src folder to implement our client functionality using @grpc/grpc-js.

The client uses a ProductServiceClient to send requests to the server, invoking methods like createProduct, getProduct, and listProducts. We make sure to handle security by establishing the right credentials (in our case credentials.createInsecure() due to the local testing environment).

In conclusion, this blog provides a detailed walkthrough of setting up microservices in Node.js with gRPC communication. Using TypeScript and Protocol Buffers enhances the developer experience with type safety and contracts for data exchange. The system we've covered includes a server with CRUD operations for a product service and a corresponding client to interact with it.

Following this guide, developers can develop scalable microservices that communicate efficiently through gRPC, enjoying advantages like lightweight communication, improved performance, and the convenience of independent deployment and scalability.

Tags: #Nodejs, #Microservices, #gRPC, #ProtocolBuffers

https://rsbh.dev/blogs/grpc-with-nodejs-typescript

Nodejs API Server – A Full-Stack Starter Kit by AppSeed

Nodejs and Express are widely adopted for creating API servers due to their ease of use and community support. AppSeed harnesses these technologies to provide developers with a full-stack ready starter that can significantly accelerate the development process. Featuring full-stack capabilities with the React Soft Dashboard, this starter is tested across multiple NodeJS versions and comes with several vital features such as Json Web Tokens (JWT) for authentication, SQLite for the data layer, and passport-jwt integration for handling OAuth.

Overview and Features

The AppSeed starter is a project scaffold designed for developers looking to create a new Express/Nodejs API Server. It offers a number of pre-configured features:

  • JWT Authentication: Ensures secure communication and user authentication in the application using Json Web Tokens (JWT).
  • SQLite Integration: Lightweight, disk-based database that does not require a separate server process, making it perfect for development and smaller apps.
  • Passport-Jwt Strategy: Enables authentication token strategies for securing Express/Node.js applications through the passport-jwt library.
  • OAuth with GitHub: Allows users to authenticate using their GitHub account, simplifying the login process.
  • Support: Provided through Discord & Email channels to assist users with potential issues or questions regarding the usage of this starter kit.
  • Full-stack Ready with TypeScript: The starter includes frontend capabilities with React Soft Dashboard, built with TypeScript.

Compatibility and Testing

Testing ensures that the project runs smoothly across different environments. The Nodejs API Server starter has been tested with:

  • NodeJS versions: v18.0.0, v16.10.0, v14.15.0
  • Package Managers: Both NPM and YARN are supported for package management and script execution.

Setup and Configuration

The starter kit provides clear instructions for setting up the development environment. Here's a brief overview of the steps:

  1. Navigate to the Project Directory: cd <project-directory>
  2. Install Dependencies: Run yarn or npm install.
  3. Database Migrations: Execute the command yarn typeorm migration:run to set up your database schema.
  4. Environment Variables: Copy .env.sample to .env and configure the required environment variables such as PORT, SQLITE_PATH, SECRET, and GitHub OAuth credentials.
  5. Development Server: Start the development environment using npm run dev or yarn dev.
  6. Production Build: Compile the project using the build script.
  7. Running the Server: Launch the built server from build/index.js, ensuring that the PORT is set in .env.

Codebase and Structure

The codebase is designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing easy expansion and customization. The project directory encapsulates various components, including configuration files, source code, and utilities.

API and Endpoints

The provided API endpoints enable basic operations such as user registration, login, and logout:

  • Register: POST api/users/register
  • Login: POST /api/users/login
  • Logout: POST api/users/logout

Additionally, management scripts are included for updating user roles within the system.

SQLite and Migrations

The starter includes meticulous instructions for setting up SQLite and running or generating database migrations. These steps make sure the database layer is appropriately structured for the application's needs.

Conclusion and Credits

AppSeed's Nodejs API Server is a comprehensive, open-source starter that simplifies the development process for full-stack applications. Among other accolades, it credits numerous inspirations and similar projects which guided its creation, exemplifying community collaboration in the open-source ecosystem.

Tags

  • #Nodejs
  • #Express
  • #FullStack
  • #AppSeed

https://github.com/app-generator/api-server-nodejs

Advanced Image Compression in Node.js

Enhancing Web Performance with Image Compression

Images are essential in web development, offering both visual appeal and information conveyance, but they can also slow down web page loading times due to their size. Advanced image compression techniques in Node.js are imperative to ensuring websites load quickly and efficiently.

The Crucial Role of Image Compression

  • Enhanced Website Performance: Compressing images reduces load times, improving overall website speed.
  • Bandwidth Efficiency: Smaller image sizes consume less bandwidth, which is especially important for users with data limits.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Properly compressed images ensure consistent viewing experiences across different devices and platforms.

Setting Up Node.js for Image Processing

To start optimizing images, developers need to set up their Node.js environment by visiting the official Node.js website at https://nodejs.org/. Creating a project directory and initializing it with npm is the first step.

Utilizing the "sharp" Library

For advanced image compression, the "sharp" library in Node.js is a go-to choice due to its high-performance capabilities for image processing. A developer must install it via npm and then proceed to write scripts to automate the compression process.

The sample script in advanced-compression.js provides a blueprint for batch processing of images, resizing them, and saving them in a compressed format while maintaining high quality. The script includes checks for directory existence and processes each image in the designated folder.

To execute this script, simply run node advanced-compression.js.

Advanced Image Processing Techniques

1. Image Resizing and Scaling

Resizing and scaling images while preserving aspect ratio is straightforward with the "sharp" library.

2. Format Conversion

Converting between different image formats, such as JPEG to WebP, is a common practice to reduce file sizes without compromising on quality.

3. Quality Control

Adjusting the compression quality of images allows developers to strike a balance between file size and visual quality.

4. Progressive JPEGs

Creating progressive JPEGs can make web pages appear to load faster by gradually loading the image quality.

5. Customized Cropping

The "sharp" library can crop images to specific dimensions or regions, offering flexibility in image display.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Through advanced image compression techniques in Node.js, web developers can drastically improve website performance and user experiences. Mastering these skills leads to a well-optimized web presence with fast-loading, high-quality images that cater to user expectations and accessibility.

Stackademic's Role

As a proponent of free programming education, Stackademic invites readers to contribute by clapping and following, as well as visiting their platform for more knowledge sharing on subjects like image optimization.

Tags: #Nodejs, #WebDevelopment, #ImageCompression, #SharpLibrary

https://blog.stackademic.com/mastering-advanced-image-compression-in-node-js-elevating-web-optimization-8b1a356ec59b

Advanced Node.js Interview Preparation

Choosing Between Express and Nest for Project Size

When making a decision between Node.js Express and Node.js Nest for a backend project, the project size and complexity are pivotal factors. Express, known for its simplicity and flexibility, is an excellent fit for small to medium-sized projects where rapid development and simplicity are required. Whereas Nest, built with TypeScript and offering a more structured framework, is optimal for larger projects needing a well-defined architecture and advanced features like dependency injection and modules for maintainable large-scale applications.

Understanding OAuth 2.0 and Its Advantages

OAuth 2.0 is an authorization protocol that facilitates third-party access to user data without sharing login credentials. The benefits of utilizing OAuth 2.0 include enhanced security through token-based authentication, a superior user experience by allowing access without sharing sensitive information, streamlined access control management, and improved scalability to support a growing number of users and services.

SOA vs MSA in Software Architecture

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) involves integrating various services, with each service performing a distinct portion of the workload. Microservice architecture (MSA), however, consists of smaller, autonomous services. MSA tends to have more granular services with focused responsibilities, uses lighter communication protocols, and its services can be independently deployed and scaled. In contrast, SOA usually involves larger, more interdependent services often communicating through enterprise service buses.

Backend Development Principles: Low Coupling and High Cohesion

The design principles of low coupling and high cohesion are fundamental to creating manageable and adaptable backend systems. Low coupling signifies minimized interdependencies among system components, fostering easier maintenance and scalability. High cohesion ensures the components within a module are related and perform a specific set of tasks collaboratively, improving the module's readability and reusability.

Securing Backend Systems

To safeguard backend systems, developers must employ secure coding practices, robust authentication and authorization mechanisms, data encryption, consistent security testing, and diligent monitoring and logging. Moreover, staying up-to-date with the latest patches and updates fortifies the system against emerging security threats.

PostgreSQL vs MongoDB with Node.js

Choosing between PostgreSQL and MongoDB for a Node.js server project involves evaluating the project's data-related needs. PostgreSQL is a robust, ACID-compliant relational database suited for structured data and complex queries, while MongoDB thrives with large volumes of unstructured data and offers scalability and flexibility. Moreover, the community and support ecosystem around both databases may influence the choice based on the specific requirements and preferences.

Implementing Caching in Backend Systems

Implementing caching is a strategic decision to improve performance by storing commonly accessed data for speedy retrieval. Factors like data access frequency, size, complexity, as well as the system’s latency and scalability requirements, must be considered. Caching promotes efficiency but must be managed to ensure data consistency and integrity.

Nest.js Architecture versus Other Node.js Frameworks

Nest.js differs from other Node.js frameworks like Express.js by emphasizing a modular architecture that includes modules, controllers, and services. It leverages TypeScript, which promotes better development practices and code maintainability. Nest.js's architecture pushes developers to create more organized and testable code, particularly advantageous for larger projects needing an enterprise-grade structure.

Testing Nest.js Applications

For Nest.js applications, testing practices include writing unit tests, integrating tests, end-to-end (E2E) tests, and implementing mocking and code coverage. Integrating continuous integration (CI) practices ensures that the codebase remains reliable and bug-free throughout the development cycle.

Understanding Nest.js Interceptors

Nest.js interceptors serve as advanced middleware components capable of modifying request and response objects, executing additional logic, and providing a way to encapsulate cross-cutting concerns like logging and error handling within an application, thus enhancing modularity and maintainability.

Role of Modules in Nest.js Projects

Modules in Nest.js encapsulate and organize related components, such as controllers and services, allowing for independent development and testing. They help manage dependencies within the application, enabling a clean, modular structure that is easy to maintain and scale.

Approaching Backend Project Deployment

Deploying a backend project involves preparing the code, selecting a hosting provider, setting up the environment, installing dependencies, building the application, and thoroughly testing. Post-deployment, continuous monitoring and maintaining are crucial. Using automation tools and adopting containerization can enhance the deployment process.

WebSockets in Real-Time Communication Projects

WebSockets are essential for applications requiring real-time bidirectional communication, like multiplayer games or collaborative tools. Implementing WebSockets allows clients and servers to exchange information quickly and efficiently, supporting a seamless and dynamic user experience.

Comparing GraphQL and REST APIs

GraphQL offers flexible data querying and efficient data loading without multiple requests that REST APIs often require; it is self-documenting and simplifies versioning. However, it comes with high complexity and a challenging caching process. Meanwhile, REST APIs are straightforward, easy to cache, and have a gentle learning curve, but may face data over-fetching or under-fetching and may require more requests to assemble comprehensive datasets.

Best Practices for Scalable Nest.js Applications

Ensuring Nest.js applications are scalable and maintainable involves using modular architecture, implementing dependency injection, and adhering to best practices such as using pipes, filters, interceptors, and guards. Embracing async/await patterns and leveraging TypeScript with appropriate tools like Swagger for API documentation can significantly contribute to the robustness of your Nest.js applications.

Join EPAM Anywhere for remote Node.js development opportunities and let your expertise flourish.

Authored by a Senior Software Engineer with over 5 years of experience specializing in cross-platform development and React Native training programs.

Tags: #NodeJS #NestJS #SoftwareDevelopment #JobInterview #OAuth2.0 #Architecture #Security #Databases #Caching #Testing #WebSockets #GraphQL #RESTAPI #Deployment #Scalability

https://anywhere.epam.com/en/blog/advanced-node-js-interview-questions-answers

Optimizing APIs with Node.js and SQL: Advanced Techniques

Developing high-performance APIs with Node.js and SQL can greatly enhance the user experience through improved response times and optimized data transfer. Below are key strategies to achieve this.

Caching with Redis in Node.js

Caching can significantly reduce response times by storing frequently accessed data in memory with tools like Redis. Implementing caching requires setting up Redis and modifying the Node.js application to check the cache before querying the database. If the data is present in the cache, it can be returned immediately; otherwise, the database is queried and the result is stored in the cache for future requests.

// Pseudo-code for Redis caching
const redis = require('redis');
const client = redis.createClient();
// Middleware for checking cache
function getCachedData(req, res, next) {
    const originalUrl = req.originalUrl;
    client.get(originalUrl, (err, data) => {
        if (err) throw err;
        if (data != null) res.send(JSON.parse(data));
        else next();
    });
}
// Route implementation
app.get('/api/data', getCachedData, (req, res) => {
    const data = fetchDataFromDB();
    client.setex(originalUrl, 3600, JSON.stringify(data));
    res.send(data);
});

Connection Pooling in SQL

Connection pooling is a technique that helps manage a pool of database connections which can be reused across requests, reducing the overhead of establishing a new connection for each query.

// Pseudo-code for connection pooling using 'pg' library
const { Pool } = require('pg');
const pool = new Pool({
    user: 'your_username',
    host: 'localhost',
    database: 'your_database',
    password: 'your_password',
    port: 5432,
    max: 20,
    idleTimeoutMillis: 30000,
    connectionTimeoutMillis: 2000
});
// Query execution using connection pool
pool.query('SELECT * FROM your_table', (err, res) => {
    if (err) console.error('Error executing query', err.stack);
    console.log(res.rows);
});

Mitigating N+1 Query Problem in SQL

The N+1 query problem can cause a significant performance hit when fetching data with related entities. Using SQL JOINs can mitigate this problem by fetching all the required data in a single query.

// Pseudo-code for solving N+1 problem using JOIN
const sql = 'SELECT posts.*, comments.* FROM posts JOIN comments ON posts.id = comments.post_id';
pool.query(sql, (err, res) => {
    if (err) console.error('Error fetching posts and comments', err.stack);
    console.log(res.rows);
});

Implementing Pagination with SQL in Node.js

Pagination helps in reducing the size of data sent in a single request by dividing the results into smaller chunks, or pages, which can be queried separately.

// Pseudo-code for implementing pagination
const limit = 10;
const currentPage = req.query.page || 1;
const offset = (currentPage - 1) * limit;
const sql = `SELECT * FROM your_table LIMIT ${limit} OFFSET ${offset}`;
pool.query(sql, (err, res) => {
    if (err) console.error('Error executing paginated query', err.stack);
    console.log(res.rows);
});

Using Lightweight JSON Serializers

Lightweight JSON serializers can serialize data more quickly than native JSON.stringify(), resulting in faster response times.

// Pseudo-code for using a lightweight JSON serializer
const fastJson = require('fast-json-stringify');
const stringify = fastJson({
    // ...schema definition
});

Compression for Data Transfer Optimization

Using middleware like compression in Node.js can reduce the payload size, saving bandwidth and improving response times.

// Pseudo-code for implementing compression
const compression = require('compression');
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
app.use(compression());

Asynchronous Logging for Performance Improvement

Asynchronous logging allows the application to continue processing while the logging operation is carried out in the background, avoiding blocking the main thread.

// Pseudo-code for asynchronous logging using 'pino'
const logger = require('pino')();
function asyncLog(logMessage) {
    setImmediate(() => logger.info(logMessage));
}
asyncLog('Log this asynchronously');

Conclusion

By integrating caching, connection pooling, efficient querying with JOINs, pagination, lightweight serializing, compression, and asynchronous logging, Node.js applications handling SQL databases can achieve substantial improvements in API performance. These enhancements can lead to a superior user experience with minimal latency and efficient data handling. It's essential to consistently monitor and refine these optimizations for maintaining the highest level of API efficiency.

Tags: #Nodejs, #APIOptimization, #SQLPerformance, #CachingRedis

https://blog.devgenius.io/optimizing-api-performance-7-advanced-techniques-36c271c7fd56

Serverless Compute in 2023: Top Trends, Challenges & Adoption Patterns in AWS, Google Cloud and Azure

In the ever-evolving landscape of computing, serverless has undeniably established itself as a central pillar. The driving force behind this transition is the growing availability of serverless offerings from major cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Azure, along with emerging platforms like Vercel and Cloudflare.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of how over 20,000 organizations are utilizing serverless technologies in their operations, exploring significant trends and insights drawn from real-world applications of this transformative technology.

Shift Toward Serverless Adoption

Significant growth has been observed in serverless adoption among organizations operating on Azure and Google Cloud, with AWS also showing positive development. For instance, 70% of the AWS customers and 60% of Google Cloud customers now use serverless solutions. Azure isn’t far behind, with 49% of its customers embracing serverless offerings.

This upswing can be attributed to the expanding suite of serverless tools, ranging from FaaS solutions to serverless edge computing, offered by these cloud providers to meet their customers’ unique needs.

The Rise of Container-Based Serverless Computing

Google Cloud, since its launch of Cloud Run in 2019, has led in fully managed container-based serverless adoption. However, this year AWS saw a rise to 26% of serverless organizations running containerized Lambda functions and AWS App Runner. Azure also experienced considerable year-over-year growth, propelled by the launch of Azure Container Apps.

Container-based serverless compute platforms are gaining traction as they facilitate serverless adoption and migration by enabling organizations to deploy existing container images as microservices. Apart from that, these platforms offer wider language support and larger application sizes.

Serverless Platforms: Beyond The Major Providers

While major providers dominate the serverless space, frontend development and Content Delivery Network (CDN) platforms like Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare, and Fastly also equip developers with specialized serverless compute capabilities. Interestingly, 7% of organizations monitoring serverless workloads in a significant cloud are also running workloads on one or more of these emerging platforms.

Choice of Languages for AWS Lambda

Node.js and Python are the languages of choice for most AWS Lambda developers, with over half of invocations being written in these languages. The rising popularity of custom runtimes indicates a growing interest in serverless containers, which allow developers to work with languages not natively supported by Lambda.

The Challenge of Cold Starts

Cold starts, where a new execution environment is created to serve a request, remain a significant concern. This is especially true for Java-based Lambda functions, which showcase the longest cold start times due to the JVM and Java libraries’ loading time.

The Adoption of AWS Lambda on ARM

The usage of AWS Lambda on ARM has doubled in the past year, primarily due to its combined benefits of faster execution times and lower costs.

Deployment Tools for AWS Lambda

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like the Serverless Framework and Terraform greatly simplify the deployment and configuration of Lambda functions and other resources. As organizations mature and scale, the preference for IaC tools shifts. Larger organizations positively inclined towards Terraform for multi-cloud support and flexibility.

Connection of AWS Lambdas to a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

The complexity of integrating serverless functions across the existing infrastructure has led many organizations to connect their Lambda functions directly to the VPCs. According to recent statistics, 65% of Datadog customers have at least five Lambda functions connected to a dedicated VPC in their AWS account.

Serverless technologies today are making developer’s lives easier by being more secure, cost-effective, flexible, and efficient. The prominence of serverless in modern application building is only expected to surge further in the coming years.

Tags: #Serverless #AWSLambda #GoogleCloud #Azure #Terraform #Containerization #VPC #Nodejs #Python #ARM

Reference Link

2023 Guide: Choosing the Best JavaScript Framework for Your Project – ReactJS, AngularJS, NodeJS, and More

JavaScript has established itself as the most popular programming language in the world. Its frameworks such as Angular, ReactJS, and NodeJS are widely used because of the value they add to JavaScript development. In this article, we present a detailed overview of the most popular JavaScript frameworks to help you make an informed choice for your applications.

Understanding Frameworks

A framework serves as a skeleton for building components that provide value to the user. It is a foundation that aids in creating structured, fast, and efficient applications. Choosing a strong framework promotes code sharing and reuse, and greatly reduces the development and testing time.

What is a JavaScript Framework?

JavaScript frameworks provide a solid foundation for creating JavaScript applications. These frameworks consist of pre-written JavaScript codes, making it easier and faster to perform common tasks. For beginners and skilled developers alike, these frameworks simplify the coding process.

Leading Front-end JavaScript Frameworks

ReactJS

Since its inception seven years ago, ReactJS now holds a reputation for bringing interactivity and robustness to user interfaces. It currently enjoys a broad base of support and is highly favored for new projects due to its beneficial features and fewer drawbacks.

Features

  • React components
  • Virtual DOM
  • Declarative UI

Pros

  • It’s SEO-friendly
  • Component reuse
  • Virtual DOM
  • Scalable
  • Thriving Community

Cons

  • Constantly Shifting Tools
  • Lack of Convention
  • Steep Learning Curve

Angular

Angular is a powerful, cross-platform framework with clean, error-free code, thanks to its precise controller and data rendering techniques. Angular’s component-based architecture is transforming Google’s flagship framework positively.

Features

  • MVC architecture
  • 2-Way Data Binding
  • Dependency injection

Pros

  • Component-Based Architecture
  • Efficient Code Generation
  • Better Server performance
  • 2-way data binding
  • Third-party integrations
  • Extensive Community Support

Cons

  • Heavyweight solution
  • Poor SEO
  • Costly migration

VueJS

Despite being a newcomer, VueJS has secured a spot among industry leaders. It’s renowned for its simplicity, speed, cross-platform capability, and fit for constantly shifting development projects.

Features

  • Animated transitions
  • Templates
  • Vue routing

Pros

  • Simplicity
  • Built-in MVC
  • Shallow learning curve
  • lightweight framework
  • Exceptionally well documented

Cons

  • Small Developers community
  • Used by a limited pool of developers

EmberJS

EmberJS is an efficient framework for building scalable Single Page Applications (SPAs). It’s perfect for creating frameworks for desktop, mobile, and online use.

Features

  • Handlebars syntax
  • Ember Inspector tool
  • Ember-simple-auth
  • Application initializers

Pros

  • Excellent tooling
  • Convention-over-Configuration design
  • Rich Documentation
  • 2-way data binding

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Heavyweight approach
  • Declining popularity

Prominent Back-end JavaScript Frameworks

NodeJS

NodeJS is an open-source runtime framework designed to run browser-free JavaScript. It’s built for creating large-scale network-based applications and is known for effective resource management.

Pros

  • Outright speed
  • Robust
  • Scalable
  • Strong support
  • Non-blocking I/O
  • Rich Ecosystem

Cons

  • Performance bottlenecks
  • Highly reliant on callbacks
  • Poor tooling

ExpressJS

Express is an un-opinionated framework for NodeJS that enhances server-side coding. It aims to simplify and speed up the development and debugging processes using NodeJS.

Pros

  • Excellent community support
  • Fast-paced development
  • Extensive documentation
  • Excellent database integration
  • Shallow learning curve

Cons

  • Security issues
  • Un-opinionated structure can lack conventions

Gatsby

Gatsby, a static site generator based on React and GraphQL, has gained popularity due to its high-performance, SEO-friendly, and secure back-end solutions.

Pros

  • Blazing Fast Performance
  • SEO Friendly
  • Support for multiple data sources
  • High security
  • Plugin ecosystem

Cons

  • Poor scalability
  • More to learn

Conclusion

Choosing the right JavaScript framework involves understanding the unique requirements of your project. The popularity of a framework points towards a robust development community that can assist in learning. Consider the design and functionality, complexity, and features of the framework before making a selection. Choosing wisely will get your project off to a good start and establish a scalable architecture.

Tags: #javascript #frameworks #reactJS #AngularJS #NodeJS #VueJS #EmberJS #ExpressJS #GatsbyJS

Reference Link

Top 8 Fullstack Development Frameworks to Master in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to the enigma that is the world of fullstack development. This is your pit stop to sort through the mounds of information. Here, you’ll get to know which frameworks and libraries can help you streamline your work efficiently and effectively.

Frameworks vs. Libraries: A Brief Recap

Before plunging into the world of frameworks, it’s critical to understand the distinction between frameworks and libraries. Frameworks essentially are a unified structure of code that provide you with a strong foundation to build your applications. This way, you’re not starting from scratch, and you’re also ensuring a certain level of standardization across your application. Primary examples include Laravel, Django, and Ruby on Rails.

On the flip side, libraries are collections of pre-written code that can be conveniently incorporated into your code to perform specific tasks or to add functionalities. Unlike frameworks, libraries offer more modular support, allowing developers to weave in the components they need without affecting their application’s overall architecture.

Remember, every framework and library has its benefits and downsides. The trick is to find one that best suits your project needs.

Diving Deep: Best Frameworks for Fullstack Development

In the vast ocean of technology, numerous frameworks are available, each with unique features designed to cater to varied needs and preferences. Let’s dive in and explore the finest fullstack development frameworks of 2023:

1. Node.js

Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript for server-side scripting and runs scripts server-side to produce dynamic web page content before the page is sent to the user’s web browser. It’s a conventional pick among fullstack developers owing to its enhancing performance and scalability.

2. React

A brainchild of the engineering team at Facebook, React, much like Node.js, allows you to use JavaScript for building user interfaces. Owing to its component-based structure, it’s becoming popular for building reusable UI components.

3. Laravel

Laravel, a PHP framework, offers out-of-the-box functionality for constructing everything from APIs to web applications. It’s a choice pick because of its simplicity and scalability.

4. AngularJS

Created by Google, AngularJS is a JavaScript-based open-source framework. It’s great for building dynamic, single-page web applications and implementing complex tasks in a simpler, efficient way.

5. Django

Django, a Python framework, adheres to the ‘Don’t Repeat Yourself’ philosophy, promoting the reusability of components and less code. It’s excellent for building high-performing web applications.

6. Express

Express, or Express.js, falls under the umbrella of back-end JavaScript technologies. It simplifies the task of writing server code, and it’s excellent for building APIs and AJAX-heavy SPAs.

7. Ruby on Rails

Thanks to a highly optimized programming environment, Ruby on Rails delivers highly efficient solutions. It promotes modern web standards and has extensive community support.

8. Flask

Flask, another Python framework, is known for its simplicity and fine-grained control. It doesn’t force any structure and it’s perfect for smaller, more straightforward applications.

Setting Sail

That concludes our virtual tour of the most sought-after frameworks for fullstack developers in 2023. Equipped with these power-packed frameworks and libraries, you’re now better positioned to navigate the complex currents of the coding realm!

Tags: #FullstackDevelopment #Frameworks #Nodejs #React #Laravel

Reference Link

Mastering Unit Testing in Node.js with Jest: Enhancing Software Reliability

One of the most critical aspects of software development is ensuring your application operates as intended. As your apps grow more complex with added features and functionality, the probability of software bugs creeping in also amplifies.

Manually testing every aspect of your application could be laborious, time-consuming, and might not be the most reliable approach to ensure optimum program functioning. Hence, adopting a systematic testing approach can greatly enhance the reliability of your software over manual testing. Unit testing is one such method that validates individual components of your software work as intended.

This guide will get you up and running with unit testing in Node.js using Jest, a JavaScript testing framework that prioritizes simplicity.

Unit Testing Basics

Unit testing involves isolating and testing individual components or ‘units’ of your software application. The objective is to ensure every individual unit of code works as intended, enabling you to catch potential hitches early in the development process.

Getting Started With Jest in Node.js

Before you can get cracking with writing unit tests using Jest, you need to install it as a dependency in your Node.js project and set up the requisite test files.

Installation

To install Jest, run:

npm install --save-dev jest

After successful installation, create a folder for your Jest test files:

mkdir test

You can create a test file using the following command:

touch example.test.js

Additionally, update your package.json file to include:

"scripts": { "test": "jest" }

This script enables you to trigger all your test suites with a single command.

Writing Tests Using Jest

Consider an isEven function:

function isEven(number) {
    if (number < 0) {
        throw new Error("Number must be positive");
    }
    if (typeof number !== "number") {
        throw new Error("Number must be a number");
    }
    return number % 2 === 0;
}

This function throws exceptions for negative numbers and non-numeric inputs and labels fractions as non-even.

To write a test suite for this function, import it into your test file and use Jest’s API to create tests.

const isEven = require("../index");

describe("isEven", () => {
    
    test("returns true for even numbers", () => {
        expect(isEven(2)).toBe(true);
    });

    /*...Additional tests...*/

});

You can run all your test suites using the command:

npm test

All your tests should ideally pass, affirming your function’s correctness.

Testing Asynchronous Code with Jest

In JavaScript, some operations such as API requests, timers or file read/write operations are asynchronous and take time to complete. Jest tests complete as soon as they reach the end of their execution path. For asynchronous tasks, you need to ensure Jest waits for them to complete before concluding the test.

You may encounter false negatives when testing asynchronous code. Jest provides a few techniques to tackle these.

Mocking with Jest

A commonly used practice in writing tests is mocking, where you replace a function or module dependency with a ‘fake’ or ‘mock’ function you have control over during the test. You can systematically structure the behavior of your mocks to mimic that of real functions.

This can be specifically handy when testing code that depends on external services or databases. By mocking, you can run your tests without needing to interact with these external services.

Let’s consider the function getUser(userId) that interacts with an external database to fetch a user’s data:

async function getUser(userId) {
    const user = await database.fetchUser(userId);
    return user;
}

You can mock the database.fetchUser() function which interacts with the external database. Jest allows you to replace the real function with a mock function that simulates the actual function:

jest.mock('./database');

database.fetchUser.mockReturnValue({
    id: '123',
    name: 'John'
});

const user = user.getUser('123');

expect(user).toBe({
    id: '123',
    name: 'John'
});

TDD vs BDD in Jest

Jest also empowers you to follow two popular approaches to software testing; Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD).

TDD involves first writing a failing test case for a small unit of code, then writing the minimal amount of code to pass that test case. Once the test passes, you refactor the code as necessary and repeat the process for the next test case.

BDD, on the other hand, structures tests as ‘scenarios’ that reflect the expected software behavior from the user’s perspective. BDD tests often utilize a more comprehensible, natural language syntax so non-technical team members can also understand them.

Both TDD and BDD have their own strengths and you can choose either approach based on your project’s needs and your personal preference.

Jest vs. Mocha: Which One to Choose?

While Jest is simple to use and quite powerful, it’s not the only testing framework available. Mocha is another equally competent testing framework and might maybe a better fit for your needs in some cases.

Below is a brief comparison of the two:

| | Jest | Mocha |
|——-|——–|———|
| Configuration | Comes preconfigured | Requires manual configuration |
| Assertion Library | Built-in | Requires external libraries like Chai |
| Mocking | Built-in | Requires external libraries like Sinon |
| Performance | Faster out-of-the-box, parallelization | Can be optimized for speed using plugins |

Your choice between Jest and Mocha would depend on your project’s requirements and your personal preference.

To summarize, we covered how to perform unit testing in Node.js using Jest, create and run test suites, and use Jest’s mocking features. You also learned about TDD and BDD testing patterns, and how to use both with Jest. Finally, we compared Jest with Mocha to give you a wider array of testing frameworks to choose from.

Happy testing!

Tags: #Jest, #Nodejs, #UnitTesting, #TDD, #BDD

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Top 15 Node JS Developer Skills to Have in 2023

Node.js has become a cornerstone for developing real-time web applications, such as chat and trading platforms. Its adoption by businesses and smaller enterprises has been nothing short of meteoric, with over 30 million websites now harnessing its power. As we look to the future, Node.js is poised for even greater growth, promising to drive numerous technological breakthroughs.

What is Node.js? Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that operates on browsers, built atop Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. Its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model makes it lightweight and efficient. The Node.js package ecosystem, known as NPM, boasts the world’s largest collection of open-source libraries. With Node.js, network applications can be scaled swiftly and effortlessly. It’s particularly suited for real-time, data-intensive applications running on distributed devices.

Benefits of Node.js Skills

  • High Performance: Node.js is renowned for its ability to produce blazing-fast applications.
  • Ease of Writing: Node.js facilitates server-side and client-side JavaScript, allowing developers to reuse code for both frontend and backend.
  • Cost-Effective: Node.js negates the need for separate resource teams, saving time, money, and energy.
  • Extensibility: Due to its inherent flexibility, Node.js can be tailored to specific needs.

Technical Skills for Node.js Developers

  1. Node.js Proficiency: A deep understanding of the Node.js runtime environment and its libraries is essential.
  2. Web Application Frameworks: Familiarity with frameworks, like Express, can expedite development.
  3. Security: Knowledge of encryption and secure authentication is crucial.
  4. Database Management: Handling multiple databases and ensuring their security is a must.
  5. Package Management: Efficiently managing dependencies and packages is vital.
  6. Cloud Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP is beneficial.
  7. Source Control: Mastery of git commands beyond “commit” and “checkout” is advantageous.
  8. Compliant Code Creation: Writing clean, efficient, and compatible code is key.
  9. API Communications: Understanding the nuances between REST and SOAP is essential.
  10. Error-Handling: Troubleshooting and syntax manipulation skills are crucial.

Soft Skills for Node.js Developers

  1. Communication: Clear verbal and written communication is paramount.
  2. Problem-Solving: Developers must be adept at identifying and rectifying code issues.
  3. Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and adhering to deadlines is essential.
  4. Willingness to Learn: Continual growth and skill development are vital.

Advanced Skills for Node.js Developers

  1. Experience with Various Frameworks: Familiarity with full-stack frameworks indicates a passion for development.
  2. Familiarity with MVC Frameworks: Knowledge of frameworks like Sails can be beneficial for larger enterprises.
  3. Workflow Automation: Proficiency with tools like Gulp or Grunt is advantageous.

Improving Your Node.js Skills

  • Gain a solid grasp of front-end technologies like HTML5 and CSS3.
  • Understand asynchronous programming principles.
  • Familiarize yourself with server-side templating languages and CSS preprocessors.
  • Master error management in applications.

Conclusion Being a Node.js developer often means tackling intricate solutions. While a myriad of skills is beneficial, it’s crucial to hone the foundational ones pertinent to today’s software development landscape. Major organizations, including Amazon, Netflix, PayPal, Uber, eBay, and NASA, depend on Node.js to deliver scalable, high-quality user experiences. Dive deeper into Node.js with KnowledgeHut’s Web Development certification.

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