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To use Node you must type command-line instructions, so you need to be comfortable with (or at least know how to start) a command-line tool like the Windows Command Prompt, PowerShell, Cygwin, or the Git shell (which is installed along with Github for Windows). Node isn’t a program that you simply launch like Word or Photoshop: you won’t find it pinned to the taskbar or in your list of Apps. Using NPM - a tool that makes installing and managing Node modules - it’s quite easy to add many useful tools to your web development toolkit. For example, by installing Node.js® on your desktop machine, you can quickly convert CoffeeScript to JavaScript, SASS to CSS, and shrink the size of your HTML, JavaScript and graphic files.
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Node.js is also used for developing desktop applications and for deploying tools that make developing web sites simpler. The key to this server-side JavaScript revolution is Node.js® - a version of Chrome’s V8 JavaScript runtime engine - which makes it possible to run JavaScript on the server-side. What is the Difference Between Node & NMP? Fortunately, for Windows users, the Node.js® installation process is a lot easier than how I recommend installing Node.js® on a Mac. In a previous article, I wrote about how to install Node.js® and, it’s companion, NPM on a Mac. In fact, concentrating on JavaScript as your language of choice offers the opportunity to master a single language while still being able to develop “full-stack” web applications. Web developers who work on the server-side are also flocking to JavaScript because of the efficiencies and speed offered by JavaScript’s event-driven, non-blocking nature. Front-end web developers use JavaScript to add user interface enhancements, add interactivity, and talk to back-end web services using AJAX. JavaScript is quickly becoming the go-to language for web developers. Try our program out with a free seven-day trial today.
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If you’re looking to take your JavaScript coding to another level, Treehouse offers unlimited courses in JavaScript (and many other subjects) starting at $25/month.
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