Why Choose NodeJS For IoT Applications?
Wouldn’t it be easier when you can make things done without any extra effort and by sitting in one place, just by speaking? Yes, that is possible with the emergence of IoT. The use of IoT has been widespread and is growing rapidly in this tech-driven era.
With the emergence of this technology, a lot of things have become easier and with the continuous evolution in technology, things are upgrading and so is the IoT industry and the things associated with it.
The hike from being just normal to being smart cannot remain unnoticed with IoT. It has eased the way of making things done, be it ordering food, booking a cab, or doing any other day-to-day tasks; it has been simplified with the introduction of IoT.
In this article, we will be filling you up with the reasons to choose NodeJS for IoT applications.
Read: IoT on Web Development
What is IoT?
Portmanteau for Internet of Things, in simple terms it can be said that the devices that can connect to each other and exchange data and information via the internet. These devices are connected via sensors and other communication networks and are also known as ‘Smart Devices’.
The use of IoT has simplified even the easiest tasks also and made the complex tasks easier. For example when you are in the mood to listen to your favorite song you do not have to browse your playlist on your phone. All you need to say is, Hey Alexa/Siri! Play my favorite song and boom it will play the song.
Read: Reasons and Strategies To Improve Code Quality
Additionally, as per the insights from Statista, the global IoT market was worth near $389 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to reach more than $1 trillion in 2030. This means that there are positive signs for businesses and companies who are thinking of introducing this technology to their business.
This technology is not just limited to playing your favorite song, it also caters to all the home appliances like changing the lighting, switching on/off the AC/fan, Refrigerating modules, washing machines, security installations, and many more making your house a ‘Smart Home’.
What is Node.Js?
Also known as Node or NodeJS is a back-end, open-source and cross-platform Javascript runtime environment. NodeJS executes code outside a website browser and runs on Google’s V8 engine. NodeJs is event-driven and asynchronous in nature which makes it scalable and reliable and is used for both frontend and backend development.
Read: why you should learn Node.JS
The developers working on the NodeJS write code in JavaScript for server-side scripting and command-line tools. Therefore, NodeJS unifies the development of web applications on a single programming language for both client and server-side representing the paradigm of “JavaScript everywhere”.
Although JavaScript is the primary language supporting NodeJS, other compile-to-JavaScript languages like TypeScript, CoffeeScript, Dart, and ClojureScript can also use NodeJS. With NodeJS, an event-driven programming paradigm is brought to the web servers leading to faster development of web servers.
Read: Top Node JS Frameworks for Web Application Development
Top brands that are using NodeJs include IBM, Microsoft, PayPal, Netflix, GoDaddy, LinkedIn, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
We all must have come across smartwatches and smart devices that are accessible via a mobile phone and this is where IoT plays its role. It lets you connect the smart devices around your surroundings with your smartphones in real-time. As per Statista, the number of IoT-connected devices worldwide is projected to reach $75.44 billion by 2025, which opens up innumerable business opportunities.
Some of the familiar IoT-connected devices include Smartwatches from Apple/FitBit, Google Home, Amazon Dot, August Doorbell Cam, and many more.
Furthermore, when developing apps with IoT support, it is essential that you should choose the right framework and appropriate tech stack that supports and complements your project, for it will reflect the nature and identity of your business and should be adaptable to your future business requirements.
Read: Web Development Technologies and Frameworks
Why to choose NodeJS for IoT Apps?
There are multiple programming languages and frameworks with a large number of libraries and community support that facilitate the development of IoT applications which include Python, Java, NodeJS, C ++, Ruby, and many more. But due to the fast and real-time execution as stated by developers, NodeJS is the future of IoT application development. Here are a few reasons why you should consider NodeJS for IoT applications.
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Fast and Real-Time Execution
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Ease of Integration with IoT Protocols
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NodeJs Modules facilitate IoT Development
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Scalable and Portable
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Manages and Secures Data Efficiently
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Open-Source and Event-Driven
Read: Frameworks for Web App Development
The above-mentioned are some of the reasons and for your better understanding, we have described them in detail, which you can go through and make better decisions that are profitable for your business.
1. Fast and Real-Time Execution
The preliminary reason for NodeJS being most preferable for IoT applications is because of its fast and real-time execution. It comes with Node Packaged Modules (NPM) that meet all the IoT requirements. Additionally, it runs on Google’s V8 engine that compiles the data into a native machine code with faster execution. Adding more to it, it also serves with built-in architecture for Bluetooth devices and sensors that are integrated into the IoT apps.
Read: Top 10 emerging backend frameworks
Also, it is capable to sync the data with speed, which saves time in sending and receiving data from the server, making the IoT-connected devices responsive and powerful. With the regularly changing data, developers prefer using NodeJS to develop real-time IoT apps and platforms that meet all the requirements of the business.
2. Ease of Integration with IoT Protocols
IoT highly relies on Integration, which is executed at the backend level. NodeJs well supports the MQTT messaging protocol, which employs WebSockets and is used by IoT applications, which are meant to connect remote devices with a small code footprint. Another such integration is AWS IoT, which safely routes and processes millions of messages.
Read: RoadMap For Backend Developer
Using NodeJS to develop IoT apps also helps in laying a solid foundation for your application, making it easy to connect and providing a seamless user experience with 3rd party integration across multiple environments and creating innumerable market opportunities for your project.
3. NodeJs modules facilitate IoT Development
The essential modules that are required for IoT app development are Node Package Manager(NPM), NodeRed, and many more on which the application is built. Additionally, it has over 80 packages that include IoT Edison used in the computation of IoT product specifications, Arduino for electronic prototyping used in the creation of interactive electronic objects, Raspberry Pi, and many more.
Read: Basic Usability Testing Techniques
An added benefit, of using NodeJS is that the developers only require fewer resources to fulfill their IoT development needs, which comprises CPU and RAM which does not overload and ensure a high-quality application, which is important for a business to strike out in the market because in the competitive-edge of the market your business software should have something unique in it to gain recognition along with a growing user base.
Also, it has 30 packages that are useful for various sensors, beacons, and other IoT development tools, catering to the development of IoT apps simpler and faster with Node.js IoT modules.
4. Scalable and Portable
NodeJS helps in developing a comprehensive and end-to-end application. It has the potential to develop a distributed software system and also helps in the working of cloud apps, without the need for an Internet connection. Additionally, it also supports systems, tools, things, and sensors that are required to work with NodeJS on ARM architecture, and also performs well on all kinds of Edge Devices which include Gateways, Concentrators, Routers, and many more.
An added benefit that you should know is that any platform that supports Linux is expected to support NodeJS which is why developing IoT apps with NodeJS is scalable and portable. For example, when we use a regular device with 8GB RAM it can handle merely 4,000 connections whereas, using Node.js, the same device will be capable of supporting one million simultaneous connections.
5. Manages and Secures Data Efficiently
Until now, it is clear why NodeJS is the best choice for developing IoT apps, but adding more credibility to the use of NodeJS for IoT apps, it is undoubtedly the best pick to manage and secure data with ease and efficiency. It also effectively handles the large number of requests that are generated within the IoT integrated devices such as sensors and wearables.
Additionally, it also makes the data streaming easier and smoother as it does not require caching and the developers can also work effortlessly with stream instances, for running stream applications through which a user can directly stream data to its destination.
Read: What is Mediator Design Pattern
Furthermore, security is an important factor when it comes to the development of IoT-integrated applications and its security lies in three main elements i.e. Accurate code architecture, Access rights for different functions, and User authentication and verification.
With context to security factors, NodeJS is well-known for providing secure, scalable, and high-end data-driven applications and you can surely rely on this framework for the development of real-time and data-intensive IoT apps.
6. Open-Source and Event-Driven
NodeJS is an open-source framework and also comprises io.js which is also open-source and is compatible with the NPM ecosystem, and we already are familiar with the importance of NPM while developing IoT apps with NodeJS, which is why NodeJS again is a great choice for developing real-time and high-end IoT apps.
Another reason to choose NodeJS is that it is event-driven and the name (NodeJS) itself stands for ‘non-blocking I/O’ which offers features for intensive I/O operations to deliver effective, efficient, and scalable IoT applications.
These are just a few of the reasons to choose NodeJS for the development of IoT apps and there are many more reasons that you will explore with thorough research before starting the development process.
But this is not enough, you should also be updated on the challenges too that you might come across during the development process and we would prefer to hire a development team to come up with solutions for the challenges to develop a top-notch app. The challenges are not any but are important to know them as the application is the future of your business.
Conclusion
Now that you know the few reasons that we think are important to know before choosing NodeJS as the core framework for developing IoT apps, you can go ahead with this framework for your project.
The Internet of Things has really revolutionized the tech industry for the benefits and ease that it provides. The number of IoT applications and devices is growing gradually at a high rate and will continue to grow in the upcoming years, and is an important reason to integrate IoT into your business. This will not only benefit you and your business but will also aid your customers with the ease of accessing your services anytime and anywhere.
