Node.js

Definition

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine that lets you run JavaScript outside the browser — on servers, command-line tools, and even desktop applications.

Simple Explanation

Before Node.js, JavaScript only ran in browsers. Node.js is a JavaScript interpreter for your computer. With it, you can write a web server, a build tool, or a script to process files — all in JavaScript.

Real-World Use Case

A developer uses Node.js to run a build tool (like Vite), set up a local web server, and write backend APIs — all in the same language.

Examples

Related Terms

Learn More

• nodejs.org
• Express.js Guide