NodeJS (aka Node) is a version of Javascript that works outside the browser. It can run on the command line and on servers.
Node was originally used for writing backend applications without a browser, though it can be used to manage the server in addition to the software you write for a browser
Node has no draw loop. Statements happen in order and then exit.
Node apps are run from the command line
Running Node in the command line
After installing, you can launch node by typing node
Enter javascript commands one at a time
Exit with Control-D or Control-C
You can edit node files (javascript files run with node) in any text editor/IDE
You can run your program in the Terminal with node filename.js
NPM
NPM is the Node Package Manager
A package manager is a kind of app store for the command line, sometimes for a particular operating system, such as Homebrew for Mac, or for a specific programming language.
NPM is the package manager for Node software
Each node program you write that will also use NPM software needs a package.json file to list the NPM packages you want to include and use
Go to the directory of your program and type npm init --yes and the wizard will walk you throw setting up your node packages for your project
To install a package you’ll use npm install <module_name> --save
This package will be installed and added in the package.json file for your program
To install a node package globally so that all of your programs can use it npm install -g <module>
