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f23 MAD 6135 s2 Class Journal

NPMJS.com and the nature and structure of building NPM applications with JavaScript

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Lecture: Understanding and Working with NPMJS.com and Node.js Application Development

Introduction

Good day, everyone! Today's lecture is dedicated to understanding the application and operation of NPMJS.com and Node.js Application Development. We will be delving into the various aspects that encompass Node.js and npm, which stands for Node Package Manager, their functionalities, benefits, and the relationship between them.

Part 1: Overview of Node.js

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a runtime environment that lets you execute JavaScript on the server-side.
It is built on the V8 JavaScript runtime and helps in building scalable network applications.

Features of Node.js

Asynchronous and Event Driven: All APIs of Node.js libraries are asynchronous.
Single-Threaded but Highly Scalable: Node.js uses a single-threaded model with event looping.
Cross-Platform: Node.js can be installed on various platforms like Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Part 2: Understanding NPM (Node Package Manager)

What is NPM?

npm is the default package manager for Node.js.
It is used for installing, sharing, and managing dependencies in projects.

Core Features of NPM

Repository of Libraries: Provides access to thousands of libraries and tools.
Semantic Versioning: Helps manage versions of various packages.
Command-Line Utility: Facilitates easy installation, update, and management of libraries.

Part 3: Working with Node.js

Steps to Develop a Simple Node.js Application:

Installing Node.js: Download and install Node.js from the official website: nodejs.org.
Setting Up the Development Environment: Use an IDE or text editor suitable for JavaScript development.
Creating a Node.js File: Create a file with a .js extension and write your JavaScript code.
Running the Application: Execute the file using the node filename.js command in the terminal.

Example:


// Load HTTP moduleconst http = require("http");
// Create HTTP server and listen to requests on port 8000http.createServer((request, response) => { // Send the response body as "Hello World" response.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'}); response.end('Hello World\n');}).listen(8000);
// Output: Server running at http://localhost:8000/console.log('Server running at http://localhost:8000/');

Part 4: Working with NPM

Steps to Utilize NPM:

Initializing a Project: Use npm init to create a package.json file which keeps track of project metadata and dependencies.
Installing Packages: Use npm install package_name to install a package.
Managing Dependencies: All the installed packages and version info are stored in the package.json file.

Example:

bashCopy code# Initialize a new Node.js projectnpm init
# Install express frameworknpm install express

Part 5: Thinking about NPMJS.com and Node.js Application Development

Conceptualizing Node.js Development:

Modularity: Think in terms of modules. Break down the application into smaller, manageable pieces.
Non-blocking Code: Write asynchronous, non-blocking code to leverage Node.js efficiency.
Middleware: Understand the concept of middleware in handling requests and responses.
Error Handling: Implement robust error handling to manage exceptions and issues.

Conceptualizing NPM:

Package Management: Think of npm as a tool to manage dependencies effectively.
Scripting: Utilize npm scripts to automate tasks like testing and building.
Version Control: Use npm to maintain version control for packages.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the operation and application of Node.js and NPM is fundamental for effective server-side development in JavaScript. Embrace the concepts of modularity, asynchronous programming, and efficient package management to create robust, scalable, and efficient applications. Your journey in mastering Node.js and npm starts now, and remember, practice is key to mastery!
Feel free to explore further, and happy coding!

JavaScript Core Language Specification:


The URL for the JavaScript core language specification is:
https://tc39.es/ecma262/
This is the home page for ECMAScript, which is the formal specification that defines the JavaScript language.
It is maintained by the TC39 committee.
Some key things to note:
- ECMAScript and JavaScript can be used interchangeably to refer to the core language. ECMAScript is the specification name.
- The latest version is ECMAScript 2023, defined at https://tc39.es/ecma262/2023/
- New versions are released annually by TC39 to evolve the language over time.
- Features at different stages of the proposal process can be found at https://tc39.es/process-document/
- The GitHub repo for ongoing development is
Go look at the source code.
So in summary, the canonical URL for the JavaScript core language specification maintained by the standards committee is https://tc39.es/ecma262/. This is the definitive reference for how the language is formally defined.
Monday Sept 25 : Day 02 Topics
Learning Outcomes for Today:
Understanding Objects in JavaScript
Survey the JavaScript Prototype
TypeScript: Object-oriented JavaScript
Build the Node.js Fullstack Web Application
Learning Strands:
Creating a HTTP Server with JavaScript
Connecting it to a database
Forms in our WEB PAGE for User to interact with our application

Friday Sept 22 Day 1 Class Topics:

JavaScript Basics:

Variables
Flow Control
Loops, Comparisons
Arrays
Introduction:
JavaScript is a versatile language used primarily for web development.
Understanding its core constructs, like variables, flow control, and arrays, is crucial.
This notebook will guide you through these basic concepts with detailed code examples.

1. Variables

Variables are used to store data values. In JavaScript, we use the let, const, and (less commonly in modern JS) var keyword to declare variables.
Example:

let name = "John";
const age = 30;

Practice: Declare a variable city and assign it the name of your city.

2. Flow Control: If-Then-Else

This construct allows us to execute certain code blocks conditionally.
Example:

if (age < 18) {
console.log("You are a minor.");
} else {
console.log("You are an adult.");
}

Practice: Using the variable city, write an if-else condition that checks if the city is "Paris". If it is, log "You're in the City of Lights!", otherwise log "Welcome to [your city]!".

3. Loops: For and While

Loops are used to execute the same code block multiple times.
Example using for:

for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
console.log(i);
}

Example using while:

let count = 0;
while (count < 5) {
console.log(count);
count++;
}

Practice: Using a for loop, log numbers from 5 to 10.

4. Comparisons

JavaScript offers various comparison operators to compare values.
Example:

let a = 5;
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