Node.js the Right Way

Node’s Niche

Since JavaScript’s first appearance in 1995, it has been solving problems all along the front-end/back-end spectrum. The following figure shows this spectrum and where Node.js fits within it.

Figure 2. Node’s place in the JavaScript spectrum

In the web browser on the right, much of the scripting involves waiting for user interaction. Click here, drag that, choose a file, etc. JavaScript has been extraordinarily successful in this space.

On the left, back-end databases are investing heavily in JavaScript. Document-oriented databases like MongoDB and CouchDB use JavaScript extensively—from modifying records to ad-hoc queries and ...