Submodule 2.1: Popular tools

Node.js - NPM

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript environment that executes JavaScript code server-side.

Historically, JavaScript was used primarily for client-side scripting. Node.js lets developers use JavaScript for server-side scripting—running scripts server-side to produce dynamic web page content before the page is sent to the user's web browser.

NPM is the pre-installed Node package manager for the Node.js server platform. It installs Node.js programs from the npm registry, organizing the installation and management of third-party Node.js programs. 

These environments are already installed on your computer. To verify it, open your Terminal and write node -v or npm -v. The versions of node or npm package will appear on your screen as results of these commands.

Why do we need Node and npm;

We will use npm to install different libraries (e.g Bootstrap), to initiate local servers to watch our code, to create files etc.

We don't need deep comprehension of these ecosystems, but if you want to learn more follow the links.

• Official site of node.js
• Node.js in Wikipedia
• Node.js tutorial in w3schools
• Official site of npm

Exercise

1. What version of node and npm does your computer have?

Solution: