**Course Title:** Mastering Node.js: Building Scalable Web Applications **Section Title:** Introduction to Node.js and Development Environment **Topic:** Set up a Node.js development environment and create your first simple Node.js application.(Lab topic) **Objective:** By the end of this topic, you will be able to set up a Node.js development environment, create a simple Node.js application, and understand the basic concepts of Node.js. **Prerequisites:** - Basic understanding of JavaScript - Familiarity with a code editor or IDE - Node.js and npm installed on your system (follow the instructions in the previous topic to set up your development environment) **Setting up a Node.js Development Environment** To start building Node.js applications, you need to set up a development environment. This includes installing Node.js, npm, and a code editor or IDE. 1. **Install Node.js and npm:** - Download the latest version of Node.js from the official website: <https://nodejs.org/en/download/> - Follow the installation instructions for your operating system. - Verify that Node.js and npm are installed correctly by running the following commands in your terminal: ```bash node -v npm -v ``` 2. **Choose a Code Editor or IDE:** - Some popular code editors and IDEs for Node.js development include Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ IDEA, and Sublime Text. - Choose a code editor or IDE that you are comfortable with and install it on your system. **Creating a Simple Node.js Application** Now that you have set up your development environment, let's create a simple Node.js application. 1. **Create a new project directory:** - Create a new directory for your project and navigate to it in your terminal. - Run the following command to create a new Node.js project: ```bash npm init -y ``` 2. **Create a new JavaScript file:** - Create a new file called `app.js` in your project directory. - Open the file in your code editor or IDE. 3. **Write your first Node.js code:** - Add the following code to your `app.js` file: ```javascript const http = require('http'); const server = http.createServer((req, res) => { res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'}); res.end('Hello World\n'); }); server.listen(3000, () => { console.log('Server running at http://localhost:3000/'); }); ``` 4. **Run your Node.js application:** - Run the following command in your terminal to start your Node.js application: ```bash node app.js ``` 5. **Test your application:** - Open a web browser and navigate to `http://localhost:3000/`. - You should see the message "Hello World" displayed on the page. **Key Concepts:** * Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript on the server-side. * npm is the package manager for Node.js that allows you to easily install and manage dependencies for your project. * A code editor or IDE is a software application that provides a user interface for writing, debugging, and testing code. **Practical Takeaways:** * Set up a Node.js development environment by installing Node.js and npm, and choosing a code editor or IDE. * Create a simple Node.js application by creating a new project directory, creating a new JavaScript file, writing your first Node.js code, and running your application. * Understand the basic concepts of Node.js, including the event-driven architecture and non-blocking I/O. **What's Next:** In the next topic, we will cover "Introduction to Express.js and its features." This will include an overview of Express.js, its features, and how to use it to build web applications. **Leave a comment or ask for help:** If you have any questions or need help with setting up your development environment or creating a simple Node.js application, please leave a comment below.