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Top 04+ Node.js Frameworks to Build Scalable Applications

Top 04+ Node.js Frameworks to Build Scalable Applications

Node.js has become a popular choice for server-side JavaScript development due to its non-blocking, event-driven architecture. Over the years, several frameworks have been built on top of Node.js to simplify application development, enhance performance, and offer powerful features. In this article, we’ll explore five top Node.js frameworks, their features, and provide code examples where applicable.

01. Express.js

express-js

Express.js is the most widely used Node.js framework known for its simplicity, flexibility, and minimalistic design. It is a fast, unopinionated framework suitable for building APIs and web applications.

Features:

  • Lightweight and fast.
  • Middleware-based architecture.
  • Supports a wide range of HTTP methods and routing.
  • Integration with templating engines like Pug, EJS, etc.

Example Code:


// Install Express: npm install express
const express = require('express');
const app = express();

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
    res.send('Hello, Express.js!');
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
    console.log('Server is running on http://localhost:3000');
});

Output:

Visit http://localhost:3000 in your browser, and you will see Hello, Express.js!.

02. NestJS

nestjs

NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework built with TypeScript. It uses a modular architecture, making it suitable for building enterprise-level applications.

Features:

  • TypeScript support.
  • Dependency injection.
  • Modular architecture.
  • Built-in support for WebSockets and microservices.

Example Code:


// Install Nest CLI: npm install -g @nestjs/cli
// Create a new project: nest new project-name

import { Module } from '@nestjs/common';
import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller()
class AppController {
    @Get()
    getHello(): string {
        return 'Hello, NestJS!';
    }
}

@Module({
    controllers: [AppController],
})
export class AppModule { }

Output:

Run the application using npm run start, and navigate to http://localhost:3000 to see Hello, NestJS!.

03. Koa.js

koa

Koa.js is a lightweight and modern framework created by the same team that developed Express.js. It aims to be smaller, more expressive, and robust for building web applications and APIs.

Features:

  • Lightweight and flexible.
  • Better handling of asynchronous operations using async/await.
  • Built-in support for middlewares.

Example Code:


// Install Koa: npm install koa
const Koa = require('koa');
const app = new Koa();

app.use(async (ctx) => {
    ctx.body = 'Hello, Koa.js!';
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
    console.log('Server is running on http://localhost:3000');
});

Output:

Visit http://localhost:3000 in your browser, and you will see Hello, Koa.js!.

04. Sails.js

sails-js

Sails.js is a full-featured MVC framework inspired by Ruby on Rails. It is designed for building data-driven APIs and web applications.

Features:

  • Built-in support for WebSockets.
  • ORM support using Waterline.
  • RESTful API generation.
  • Supports real-time features.

Example Code:


// Install Sails CLI: npm install sails -g
// Create a new project: sails new project-name

module.exports.routes = {
    '/': {
        view: 'homepage'
    },
    'GET /hello': function (req, res) {
        return res.send('Hello, Sails.js!');
    }
};

Output:

Run the application using sails lift, and navigate to http://localhost:1337/hello to see Hello, Sails.js!.

05. AdonisJS

adonis-js

AdonisJS is a fully-featured Node.js framework designed for developers who love the stability and consistency of frameworks like Laravel.

Features:

  • MVC architecture.
  • TypeScript support.
  • Pre-built authentication and session handling.
  • Rich ecosystem and CLI tools.

Example:


// Install Adonis CLI: npm i @adonisjs/cli
// Create a new project: node ace new project-name

import Route from '@ioc:Adonis/Core/Route';

Route.get('/', async () => {
    return 'Hello, AdonisJS!';
});

Output:

Run the application using node ace serve --watch, and navigate to http://localhost:3333 to see Hello, AdonisJS!.

Conclusion

These Node.js frameworks provide a range of features to cater to different application needs. Whether you’re building a lightweight API with Express.js, a scalable enterprise application with NestJS, or a data-driven real-time app with Sails.js, there’s a framework for every requirement. Choose the one that fits your project best and start building powerful applications with Node.js.

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