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javascriptnode.jsserverside-javascript

What is "server" in server-side javascript like NodeJS?

Is it not a Javascript engine hosted by the browser on the client machine itself?

Solution

  • No, it isn't.

    Server generally has two meanings:

    1. A piece of software that listens for network requests and then responds to them
    2. A computer running such a piece of software

    A Node.JS server can be either of those.

    In web programming, a Node.JS server takes the place of Perl, Python, Ruby, PHP, Scala, etc. (And like those other languages, Node.JS lets you use JavaScript for non-server and non-web purposes).

    Generally the server itself is run directly from Node (e.g. with this library) rather than being embedded in another server like Apache (as is most common for PHP).

    A browser doesn't need to be involved at all. If one is, then it will probably be one acting as a client and making a request to the server. That said, tools like PhantomJS can allow a browser to be driven from Node (and other programming languages).