What is the difference between Node.js and JavaScript?
November 23, 2024
- Answer: JavaScript is a scripting language commonly used in web browsers to make web pages interactive. Node.js, however, is a runtime that allows JavaScript to run on the server side. Unlike JavaScript in a browser, Node.js has direct access to system resources, such as the file system and network, making it suitable for server-side tasks. Node.js also provides built-in modules, like
fs
andhttp
, which are not available in the browser.
1. JavaScript – Used Mainly in Browsers
- JavaScript is a programming language originally made to work inside web browsers. It makes web pages interactive, like adding animations, pop-ups, and other effects on the front end (the part users see).
- When JavaScript runs in a browser (like Chrome or Firefox), it doesn’t have access to system resources (like files on your computer) for security reasons. It’s limited to things like updating the web page and interacting with the browser’s Document Object Model (DOM).
2. Node.js – JavaScript Outside the Browser
- Node.js is a special environment that lets you run JavaScript outside of a web browser. It was created so developers could use JavaScript on the server side (the backend, or the part users don’t see).
- With Node.js, JavaScript can access system resources, like reading and writing files, connecting to databases, and handling network requests. This makes it useful for building server applications (like web servers) and running background tasks.
3. Different Built-in Tools
- JavaScript in the browser has some built-in tools specific to web pages, like the
window
object ordocument
to interact with page elements. - Node.js has different built-in tools, or modules, designed for server tasks. For example:
- The
fs
module helps Node.js work with the file system. - The
http
module helps create web servers.
- The
- These modules don’t exist in the browser, so you can’t use them in front-end JavaScript.
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