What is Node.js? — UK Software Development Guide
Direct Answer
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that executes JavaScript code outside a web browser. Built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine, Node.js enables developers to use JavaScript for server-side programming — building web servers, APIs, and backend applications.
Nodejs in the UK
Node.js is the most widely used backend JavaScript runtime in UK software development. UK popularity driven by: single language across frontend and backend (React + Node.js), large npm ecosystem, excellent performance for I/O-intensive API servers, and widespread use in UK FinTech and SaaS startups. Node.js LTS versions (Long-Term Support, released every October) are the standard — UK Cyber Essentials patch management requires staying on supported LTS versions. End of LTS support is a security risk requiring upgrade.
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