Learning Node.js in 30 Days with AI - Day 1

Learning Goal

My main goal is to learn Node.js in 30 days using AI, specifically with the help of ChatGPT. Since I’m already familiar with JavaScript, I asked ChatGPT to create a study plan tailored to my existing knowledge.

Planning

• 23.08.2024: I created a learning plan with the help of ChatGPT.
• 24.08.2024: I organized the plan into a Google Document for convenience. You can view the plan here.

Day 1: Introduction to Node.js

Theory

1. What is Node.js?
   
   Node.js is a platform for executing JavaScript on the server side. It allows running JavaScript code outside of a browser, using Google’s V8 engine. Node.js is designed for building scalable network applications, such as web servers and APIs.

2. How does Node.js work?
   
   Node.js uses a non-blocking, asynchronous I/O model, which means that I/O operations (e.g., reading files or database queries) are performed asynchronously without blocking the main execution thread. The main components of Node.js include:

   • Event Loop: Manages the execution of asynchronous operations and invokes the corresponding callback functions.
   • Non-blocking I/O: I/O operations are performed in the background, allowing the main thread to continue working.
   • Single-threaded Model: Although the execution thread is single, thanks to asynchrony and the event loop, Node.js can handle multiple operations concurrently.

3. Key Features of Node.js:

   • Asynchronous and non-blocking model.
   • Event loop for managing asynchronous operations.
   • Modular system with CommonJS modules.
   • NPM (Node Package Manager).
   • High performance due to the V8 engine and asynchronous model.

Practice

Task 1: Installing and Setting Up Node.js

I installed Node.js from the official website, selecting the latest LTS version and following the installer instructions. After installation, I verified the Node.js and npm versions in the command line using the commands node -v and npm -v.

Task 2: Setting Up the Development Environment

I created a new project, initialized it with npm (npm init -y), and installed the Express package (npm install express).

Task 3: Creating a Simple Program

I created an index.js file where I wrote code for a simple web server using Express. I started the server with the command node index.js and tested it by opening http://localhost:3000 in the browser, where I saw the message "Hello World!".

Day 1 Summary

All the tasks for the first day were successfully completed. I have documented the first day's progress on my website here, where I also added visual aids to enhance understanding.

Call to Action

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Please leave your comments and reactions, and share your own experiences with learning Node.js. Together, we can achieve even greater success!