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CanSpace Now Supports Node.js!

Do you know about Node.js? According to the Node.js homepage, Node “uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model.” What does that actually mean? Node is a server environment that’s particularly good at handling asynchronous JavaScript code and performing asynchronous activities such as reading and writing to the file system, handling connections to database servers, or handling requests as a web server. Because it does not use threads and does not block processes, Node.js provides efficient resource management.

You can now install and run Node.js applications on your CanSpace server! Now that Node.js is officially supported in cPanel v80, you can register Node.js applications in cPanel’s Application Manager interface (cPanel>>Home>>Software>>Application Manager). More info can be found on cPanel’s website.

If you’re not a programmer yourself, you may be wondering exactly what Node.js does.

Here is how PHP or ASP handles a file request:

  1. Sends the task to the computer’s file system.
  2. Waits while the file system opens and reads the file.
  3. Returns the content to the client.
  4. Ready to handle the next request.

Here is how Node.js handles a file request:

  1. Sends the task to the computer’s file system.
  2. Ready to handle the next request.
  3. When the file system has opened and read the file, the server returns the content to the client.

In short, Node.js eliminates waiting for the file to load and instead moves on to the next request, making loading time much more efficient.

What Can Node.js Do?

  • Node.js can generate dynamic page content
  • Node.js can create, open, read, write, delete, and close files on the server
  • Node.js can collect form data
  • Node.js can add, delete, modify data in your database

Node.js enables developers to write event handlers that get called when certain Node events happen on their server.

The Node.js Foundation provides a good (but not comprehensive) list of Node.js applications.

Have a question about installing Node.js applications on your CanSpace server via cPanel? We’re here to help! Get in touch with us today.

CanSpace Team

CanSpace Solutions is Canada's leading domain name registrar and web hosting provider. Keep an eye on our blog for expert information on domain names, websites, and running a business online.