Node.js has become one of the most popular and widely used technologies in the world of web development. As a result, there is a high demand for Node.js developers in the job market. If you are preparing for a Node.js interview, it is important to be well-versed in the most commonly asked questions and their corresponding answers. In this tutorial, we will cover some of the most frequently asked Node.js interview questions and provide detailed answers to help you prepare for your interview.
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What is Node.js?
Node.js is an open-source, server-side runtime environment built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. It allows developers to run JavaScript code on the server side, enabling them to build scalable and high-performance applications. -
What are the key features of Node.js?
Some key features of Node.js include:- Asynchronous and event-driven: Node.js uses non-blocking I/O operations, making it lightweight and efficient for handling multiple concurrent requests.
- Single-threaded: Node.js uses a single thread to handle multiple requests, reducing the overhead of creating new threads for each request.
- Extensive ecosystem: Node.js has a rich ecosystem of libraries and modules that can be easily integrated into applications.
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What is npm?
npm (Node Package Manager) is a package manager for Node.js that allows developers to easily download and install packages and modules for their projects. npm is included with Node.js installation and is used to manage project dependencies and run scripts. - How do you create a Node.js server?
To create a Node.js server, you first need to import the ‘http’ module and create a server object using the createServer method. You can then use the listen method to start the server and specify the port number to listen on.
const http = require('http');
const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
res.statusCode = 200;
res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
res.end('Hello World!');
});
server.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server running at http://localhost:3000/');
});
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What is callback hell in Node.js?
Callback hell, also known as the "Pyramid of Doom," refers to the situation where multiple nested callbacks are used in asynchronous code, leading to difficult-to-read and maintain code. To avoid callback hell, developers can use Promises, async/await, or modularize code into separate functions. -
What are promises in Node.js?
Promises are a way to handle asynchronous operations in a more readable and manageable way. Promises represent a value that may be available in the future and can be in one of three states: pending, fulfilled, or rejected. Developers can chain promises together using then and catch methods to handle success and error cases. -
What is the difference between require and import in Node.js?
The require function is the common way to import modules in Node.js and is synchronous. The import statement is part of the ECMAScript module system and is asynchronous. In modern Node.js applications, you can use either require or import, depending on the module type and compatibility requirements. -
How do you handle errors in Node.js?
In Node.js, errors can be handled using try/catch blocks, error-first callbacks, or Promises with catch method. It is important to handle errors properly to prevent application crashes and provide meaningful error messages to users. -
What is middleware in Express.js?
Middleware functions in Express.js are functions that have access to the request and response objects, and the next middleware function in the application’s request-response cycle. Middleware functions can perform tasks like parsing request data, authentication, logging, and error handling. - How can you use environment variables in Node.js?
Environment variables in Node.js can be accessed using the process.env object. Developers can set environment variables in the system or provide them through configuration files. Environment variables are useful for storing sensitive information like API keys or database credentials.
Preparing for a Node.js interview can be challenging, but with a good understanding of the fundamentals and practice, you can increase your chances of success. By familiarizing yourself with the common interview questions and their answers, you can demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers. Good luck with your Node.js interview preparation!