When and Why to Hire a Node.js Consultant

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JavaScript is one of the languages you should always have under your belt as a developer.

It powers millions of websites, and every year thousands of development consultants and designers use it to build apps and websites.

During the beginning of its lifetime, JavaScript was primarily used for front-end coding. As a result, developers had to switch between several languages and frameworks to build the back- and front-end components.

Node.js stomped that problem when it landed on the market. It allowed developers to access a run-time environment that came with everything they needed to execute JavaScript programs.

The platform made coding in JavaScript quicker and easier. But Node.js isn’t a cakewalk.

So, if you’ve been struggling with designing your system architecture, you should consider a Node.js development consultant to help you out.

But before we jump into providing actionable tips for finding the best Node.js developers out there, let’s take a look at the system itself.

What Is Node.js, and How Does It Work?

Node.js, also known as Node, is a popular open-source runtime environment. It enables engineers to create front- and back-end applications for servers using JavaScript. The cross-platform works with all systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix.

The system uses a single-threaded request-response model and event loop to deal with multiple clients simultaneously. Let’s explain that a bit.

In a multi-threaded request-response model, multiple clients send requests, and the server goes through each before sending a response. The server assigns one thread to deal with every query. Eventually, the server runs out of threads, causing blockages and delays.

Node.js architecture works differently. It keeps a limited thread pool on hand to reply to requests, so whenever one comes, Node.js adds it to a queue. This queue is managed by the single-threaded event loop that’s always waiting for requests.

So, when a request comes, the event loop pounces on it, checks whether or not it needs a blocking input/output (I/O) operation, and, if it doesn’t, sends a response. But if the request requires a blocking input/output (I/O) operation, the loop assigns a thread to it for faster processing. That way, requests get processed faster by Node.js.

Features of Node.js

Node.js comes with a vast list of features that make your coding journey easier:

1. It’s Easy to Work With

Node.js is easy to use; as a result, it’s often the number one choice of beginner web developers.

2. It’s a Workhorse

As it is single-threaded, Node.js can handle a massive number of connections at the same time, all while maintaining its throughput.

3. It’s Quick

Because of its event loop, Node.js makes responding to requests quicker and more efficient. Plus, it never causes request-response blockages.

4. It’s a Multi-platform Environment

As mentioned above, Node.js is a cross-platform environment. That means it allows you to create everything from mobile and desktop apps to SaaS websites in one space.

5. It’s Easily Manageable

Node.js can easily be managed because both the front- and back-end are managed using JavaScript. You don’t have to switch languages or frameworks.

6. It Uses Fewer Resources/Memory

As Node.js utilizes fewer threads, it also uses less memory and other resources, making processing times faster and increasing task-to-completion times. It also reduces the load on your servers compared to multi-threaded environments.

Use Cases of Node.js

Node.js has a variety of applications. Let’s explore some of the most popular ones:

• REST API-based Applications — As JavaScript is used as a back- and front-end language, servers can utilize Node.js to connect the back-end to the front-end via the REST API. Node.js can also make it easier to build other web applications.
• Data Streaming — Node.js can be used by streaming companies because it is quick, lightweight, and comes with a native streaming API. This allows data to be streamed directly to wherever it needs to go.
• IoT — Internet of Things applications typically come with multiple sensors that can create a massive pile of requests over time. Node.js can stop this from happening by handling each request as it arrives.
• Complex Single-page Applications (SPAs) — Node.js can instantly process every request made by SPA components. It also deals with each request in a non-blocking fashion, making task completion even faster.
• Real-time Chats — Because of its single-threaded event loop, Node.js can be used to process real-time communications. It can also handle multiple requests at the same time without causing blockages, making it an excellent option.
• Microservices — Node.js can be used to create service-oriented architecture that creates connections between various network protocols. It’s a perfect choice because it is easy to maintain, highly scalable, and fast.

Netflix, LinkedIn, PayPal, Nasa, Uber, Twitter, eBay, and Walmart use Node.js for application scalability, asynchronous I/O, efficient handling of concurrent requests, reduced access times, capability to keep a server active 24/7, and quick build times.

Why Should You Hire a Node.js Consultant?

A Node.js consultant knows all the ins and outs of the cross-platform environment. They can help you develop highly scalable products and services you can easily modify and upgrade.

They also make customer-facing applications more stable, allowing you to manage more requests.

But that’s not all. Node.js consultants can help companies:

• Reduce waiting times
• Effortlessly share data
• Become more efficient
• Utilize countless code libraries
• Make sure of database integration
• Write both front- and back-end code
• Process thousands of requests without blockages
• Create customized solutions to recurring problems
• Deal with every post-development bug without fail
• Build applications with real-time communication options
• Use a single codebase for complex development projects
• Integrate new functionalities and features to benefit SaaS or PaaS services
• Ensure best practices have been implemented for data protection and security.

Types of Node.js Consultants

You’ll come across three different types of Node.js consultants you’ll come across during your search. Let’s look at all of them.

1. Freelancer

If you only want to hire a Node.js expert for a short-term project, freelancers can help you out. They can also help if you require technical support on current projects, upgrade existing system architecture, develop specific integrations, or even accomplish platform migrations.

Plus, hiring a freelancer is cheaper than maintaining a full-time employee if you only want them to work on providing assistance to the primary DevOps teams. However, you may have to perform long interview sessions to find freelancers with the correct abilities.

Freelancers may also be unable to stick to deadlines because they’re working with multiple companies at the same time, so projects may take longer to complete. You can find freelancers on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, LinkedIn, etc.

2. In-house Expert

If you often need a Node.js expert to consult with your team or are always hiring someone to help with your process, hiring an in-house developer is going to be cheaper and also ensure that help is there when you need it.

In-house developers can help you with almost anything you throw at them, have more control over the development process, ensure regular communication, reduce the chances of misunderstandings, and bring proven technical experience to the table.

However, hiring a full-time Node.js expert requires you to offer perks, benefits, and a competitive salary to your new employee, which can be heavy on the pocket of companies that are just starting.

You can start looking for full-time Node.js experts by posting jobs on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and specific job boards.

3. Outsource

If you don’t have the time to develop or train a DevOps team to deal with Node.js, you can always outsource your work to Node.js development consultants. These agencies will provide specialized services, as compared to full-time employees or freelancers.

A Node.js consultant will offer varied experience in the form of a team that has seen and done everything. They will also be able to deal with everything you throw at them, no matter how complex.

Development consultants at these companies are usually experts in their field, so they’ll give you access to solutions that work. Plus, outsourcing is going to be more affordable than in-house hiring, which consists of all recruitment and employment costs.

Moreover, you’ll never run into deadline problems or require excessive revisions of bugs when working without agencies like Node.js Consultants.

Wrapping Up

Node.js allows developers to create front- and back-end applications for servers using JavaScript. It can be used to develop applications with real-time communication, manage thousands of requests simultaneously, and reduce blockages.

And while Node.js is easy to use, it’s nuanced and takes time to learn, so if you already have an in-house DevOps team, hiring a full-time or part-time employee might solve your Node.js-related issues.

But if you don’t have an in-house development team, you should go for an agency, such as Node.js Consultants, that knows what it’s doing, helping you complete projects without fail.

Plus, an agency will help you process thousands of requests without blockages, create customized solutions to recurring problems, use a single codebase for complex development projects, integrate new functionalities and features to benefit SaaS or PaaS services, and build applications with real-time communication options.