The most widely used JavaScript framework is Node.js, which has a large user base in a variety of fields. Node.js benefits IBM i users and has improved client service in various ways.
An operating system designed for corporate computers is called IBM i. The IBM i platform is a fantastic foundation for Node.js, acting as a cornerstone in sectors like banking and finance, trucking, healthcare, and similar ones that depend on stability, security, and data integrity.
Why IBM is a fantastic fit for Node.js i
For users of IBM I, Node.js delivers ground-breaking capability. Many IBM iprogramme still use text-based telnet displays as their primary user interfaces.
Numerous independent software companies, including MNC company, offer ways to update the interface. However, Node provides a method to achieve this without relying on a vendor product. The most recent JavaScript technologies allow IBM I clients to create fresh, contemporary user interfaces while still having access to the legacy business application code.
Beyond that, Node.js makes it possible to easily add cutting-edge technology to IBM i’s reliable core business logic. To integrate with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, REST APIs, microservices, and other systems, IBM i clients can use Node.js.
You are better able to recruit and retain programmers if you use JavaScript to supplement IBM i. By including JavaScript in the application stack, you may recruit more diverse software engineers.
Any JavaScript programmer can be a productive IBM i developer. A new team member can contribute fresh ideas right away and pick up the other platform-native languages fairly rapidly.
This not only helps IBM i shops that want to hire more people, but it also gives JavaScript engineers fresh, rewarding possibilities.
Node.js being introduced to the IBM i ecosystem
The Node.js Foundation, which is now the OpenJS Foundation, was founded with aid from IBM, and the company has long been a member of the Technical Steering Committee.
Additionally, IBM assists with routine maintenance and provides a wide range of technical contributions, including ICU support, the Node-API initiative, diagnostic reports, and much more. Even with all of those efforts, the IBM i ecosystem couldn’t be made possible on its own.
Making the IBM, I eco-system possible
Additionally, IBM worked to provide value for the clientele of the IBM i. IBM developed the itoolkit module, which enables JavaScript to directly invoke legacy IBM i components, to enable tight integration of JavaScript with the IBM i platform.
Through this connectivity, any program on the system, including key business logic created in the highly specialised, data-centric programming language RPG, can communicate with Node.js apps.
Database integration for Node.js is also crucial.
The embedded database, Db2 for i, must be contacted by Node.js app development. To meet this requirement, IBM developed npm packages (IDB-connector and its promises-based idb-pconnector counterpart). These packages offer a highly effective, zero-config library for carrying out database operations.
The Node.js ODBC library, which enables users of any platform to use existing ODBC drivers for connectivity, was also taken over by IBM. This is practical for IBM i users because ODBC drivers are available for Windows, Linux, Mac, and IBM i.
The outcome: Rapid Node.js uptake
With the crucial elements (environment integration and database integration) in place, Node.js swiftly took hold and expanded throughout the IBM I community. There are user groups for the IBM I platform throughout the world (the largest being the COMMON North America user association).
Node.js quickly became a hot topic of conversation at conferences and meetups. Additionally, it started to come up frequently on social media platforms. 8% of the IBM i client base already used Node in its first year on the platform.
Modernizing a mission-critical operating system using Node.js
Node.js on IBM i will succeed because IBM is dedicated to it. Not only does IBM still actively contribute to the open-source community, but it also supports Node.js and the several integration libraries discussed in this post.
Additionally, IBM provides premium support so that customers can contact the company for help at any time and from any location.
The following are some undeniable benefits of Node.js:
The fact that the front end and back end are both written in JavaScript results in lower costs and the potential to use the same libraries on both.
The largest database of free packages, libraries, and modules is solely available for this language. There are presently more than 1.3 million libraries in NPM (Node Package Manager)!
As the majority of the functionality, you require has already been built, you can create projects considerably more quickly. One of the most rapidly expanding web technologies worldwide is it.
Millions of connections can be made at once because it is asynchronous. PayPal increased its page performance by 35% when it switched to Node. To begin learning Node.js, a basic understanding of JavaScript is required.
Node.js has a fantastic community, and 51.9% of professional developers use it, making it much simpler for you to locate any information, an answer to a query, a tutorial, a course, or anything else you might require.
Literally everywhere can utilize Node.js. Create desktop programs, use them on the front end (e.g., with bundlers like webpack or gulp), or even construct backend applications (using, for example, electron).
Node.js does, however, have several drawbacks
In a single-threaded event-based mode, the environment operates. When performing CPU-intensive tasks like processing huge files, lots of data, or altering images, the application will become unusable or dramatically slow down.
The ecosystem for modules is still developing. Prior to implementing the chosen module in the program, it can be challenging to evaluate its quality.
One should be extra careful when choosing modules and confirming their current activity, such as bug patches or updates, due to the simplicity of releasing your packages and the requirement for a dependable module approval procedure.
How Node.js works?
Node.js is single-threaded, addresses scalability problems, and supports non-blocking I/O as the application runtime environment. As it adheres to the ECMA Script specification, it enables the building of frontend and backend in one of the most popular JavaScript programming languages.
Node Package Manager (NPM) software, which contains, among others: Gulp, Express, Grunt, jQuery or React, and more, makes it possible to manage libraries and developer dependencies effectively.
As the interpreter was created in C++, it guarantees that the application built on top of it will operate with a high degree of stability, smoothness, and speed. Additionally, it has a low entrance barrier because practically all programmers are familiar with JavaScript.
Node.js is used by a large number of globally renowned companies, including Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Linked, and PayPal. What is crucial is that the solution may be utilized to create serverless applications while working on cloud-based projects.
Node.js, which was introduced in 2009, has completely changed how programmers create servers. Servers were previously programmed using languages like PHP, Ruby, or Python. With Nodejs development services, it is now possible to write server code in JavaScript; this makes it much simpler for developers to create full-stack apps.
