Node

Why use Express:

Express allows developer to build scalable feature rich applications through built in tools and functionality like routing, handling requests at different URL paths, serving static files, dynamic templating to render HTML pages, and built Rest API's, which are simple servers that talk to the browser.

Used in conjunction with Node:

Often use a Node framework to set up quick and efficiently, and popular framework is Express.

Detailed specifics about REST:

When a specific request is being made in a RESTful application, the application responds only with the data you are requesting in the form of JSON, as opposed to the HTML, meaning that the backend only has to be built once. Lets you retrieve data and present that data in any way you want, providing amazing flexibility.

Explain what the phrase 'Client Side' means in the context of JavaScript:

Client side means that you're writing JavaScript that runs in the browser, and it's this relationship that allows users to interact with the web pages - filtering through content, typing input into a form, mostly concerned with enhancing the appearance and behavior of the rendered web page through manipulation of the DOM.

The URL from which I'm requesting the resource or the data from is an:

Endpoint

How is a REST Api different from a traditional server side application?

A Rest API differs from a traditional server side application in that in responds to requests with data, such as JSON, as opposed to traditional server side applications that responds with HTML.

Use of NPM, Node Package Manager,

Allows for the sharing and reuse of code and software written by other developer in the JavaScript community.

Why can we write JavaScript on both the client and server side?

Can write on both front and back end because each source has different host objects made available to them.

Describe the process of data transfer through the web:

First, a client requests information or "requesting a resource" from a server using a URL. Client is used to describe an application, often JavaScript running in the browser, that is requesting information from a server. When a request to a specific URL or endpoint is made from the browser, we'll be given a JSON object as a response, which is what makes a REST API extremely flexible. Once we've requested this data, we can do whatever we want with it, and that can be information on a specific user or information on a specific food from our database.

Node is based on

Google Chrome's V8 open source JavaSCript engine.

Rest API's allow a client to manipulate data using actions that map closely to the idea of CRUD - get, post, put, and delete, and they're referred to as;

HTTP Verbs or HTTP Methods

Using HTTP Methods and API nouns, a client can tell a Rest API:

Information it wants and what it wants to do with that information, and will respond with a JSON object containing the requested data.

Node is also really useful for building:

Interactive command line interfaces: programs that run in the terminal or console that let you interact with the computer and software installed on the computer, like create-react-app, for example.

Reason why JavaScript is such a versatile language:

JavaScript is the most powerful and versatile language in the world, as it can be used as both a client and server side language, with Node helping it reach new heights.

Define Node in your own words:

Node.js is a cross platform runtime environment for developing server-side applications with JavaScript and provides a way for you to run JavaScript outside of the browser and build anything from command line tools to frameworks, web servers, and more.

Express adds additional methods to Node's HTTP server, so that it's easier for us:

Receive and respond to requests: Get, Create, Update, and Delete.

All applications follow a general pattern, in which the user can:

Retrieve information, create, update, or delete, CRUD.

Explain what the phrase 'Server Side' means in the context of JavaScript:

Server side means that you're writing JavaScript that executes on the server and is used for building API's, databases, and more. Provide customized experiences for each user's request to a website.

Define the concept of REST:

Set of ideas regarding data transfer, how the server should respond to a request from a client, as a traditional server side application responds with HTML and a restful API responds with data, or JSON, and it's up to the front end to format and render that data.

Why use a framework?

Use a framework or library to increase efficiency and build projects faster, and help you write clean, modern JavaScript. Common case for a JavaScript framework is to build single page web applications that run in the browser.