node-js.md

Getting Started with Node.js

Projected Time

90 minutes

Prerequisites

• How the Internet Works
• Intro to HTTP

Motivation

This lab exercise will introduce Node.js, a powerful tool that lets you run JavaScript outside of the browser, in your terminal or editor, or even to run servers.

Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Install Node
• Run commands in Node's REPL
• Run a whole JavaScript file

Materials

• Node.js official page
• NodeJS Tutorial for Absolute Beginners

Lesson

• Node.js lecture slides (includes videos)
• Node.js video walkthrough of lecture slides

Independent Practice

• Node.js lab exercise, Part 1

Check for Understanding

Explain to your pair of the day what the Node REPL is and why you might use it.

Supplemental Materials

• Be aware of how to find Node's API docs, and briefly familiarize yourself with its structure. You don't need to read it all now!
• Be aware that one way to install Node is by downloading it directly from their website. However, we are not using this method; we're using nvm.
• The beginner's guide: Understanding Node.js & Express.js fundamentals
• Why learn Node.js? (video)
• 8 Reasons to use Node.js (video)
• The definitive Node.js handbook
• Introducing the Node.js REPL (video - only through 1:56)
• What is Node js? | Why it is so Famous?