5 Best Node.js Practices to Develop Scalable and Robust Applications

Since the software industry is evolving at an incredibly fast speed, there have been many developments in terms of frameworks and different component libraries to enhance the performance, functionalities, and features of applications. And the name Node.js has come among the top ones as it has taken the app development world by storm. 

Just to clarify, Node.js is not a framework, but it is an open-source JavaScript runtime environment that can be operated on Linux, Unix, macOS, and Windows as well. After its initial release in 2009, Node.js has dominated the software industry. 

There are many benefits of using Node.js, such as:

• It can help you create lightning-fast applications.
• Node.js enables developers to build server-side and frontend JavaScript code more easily.
• Node.js is a flexible platform, meaning that developers can effortlessly add and remove modules as per their requirements. 

Further, you can make the most of Node.js by using it with React. It enables you to build server-side rendering applications, thus boosting the performance, reducing page load times, and building better user interfaces. 

On the other hand, building an app with Node.js is not a piece of cake since there can be many complications in the process. Therefore, it is necessary that you take care of those complications with the right development strategies to build scalable and powerful Node.js applications.

1. Using Node.js Module System

Node.js has an effective module system. These modules are the chunks of encapsulated code. Developers can use this system as it offers reusability and the ability to split those complex blocks of code into more manageable and smaller parts.

Moreover, you can organize or manage your code into modules with simplicity. Thus, splitting up those apps into smaller modules can also help developers test and maintain them easily.

There are three types of modules: core modules, third-party modules, and custom modules. 

Core Modules

In Node.js, core modules are built-in modules and are an essential part of the Node.js platform, providing various important functionalities and features. You don’t need to install any external packages for them since they are readily available. HTTP server (HTTP), file system operations (fs), utilities (util), Path (path), Event Emitter (events), and URL (URL) are some of the famous core modules. 

Other than these, Node.js also offers plenty more core modules. For example, 'crypto' can be used for cryptography functionality or features, and when it comes to streaming data, the ‘stream’ core module is going to work wonders. So, it is obvious that these core modules enable developers to use different strong features and abilities in order to make flexible and scalable apps. 

Third-Party Modules

The Node.js community has developed these third-party modules. Third-party modules are easily available on package registries like npm (Node Package Manager). Express, Mongoose, Async, Helmet, etc., are some of the most famous third-party modules. You can easily install these modules and add them to your application by using require ().

Custom Modules

There is no doubt that the built-in core modules in Node.js offer various benefits. But in terms of providing flexibility as per the project’s particular requirements, custom modules are the best choice for developers.

Custom modules work by encapsulating particular functionality or features in an application. These modules make it easy for developers to maintain code, enabling smooth reusability; therefore, also strengthening the maintainability of your application. Developers also build and use custom modules in order to make sure that the code is modular; thus, streamlining the process of easily understanding, testing, and refactoring.

What Are the Advantages of Modules?

• Modules enable the encapsulation of code, so as a result, developers are able to conceal the specifics of the execution process and display the vital features, interfaces, and functionalities. 
• Using modules streamlines the process of organizing your code easily into smaller and feasible units; hence, ultimately scaling apps that are more complicated or complex in nature.
• Moreover, it is easy to maintain and refactor the modular code because if there is any change, update, or any kind of modification in the implementation of the modules, this will not impact the app as a whole. 
• Further, these modules enable code reusability since developers can take advantage of reusing modules in various sections of an app.  

So, this proves that modules are very useful to implement in the development process. They make it easy for Node.js developers to maintain or organize code. Further, modules allow for maximum reusability of code; therefore, enhancing the performance of applications. 

2. Error Handling in Node.js

In Node.js, errors can be split into two main categories: programmer errors and operational errors. So, first, let’s talk about programmer errors:

Programmer Errors 

Often, while programming, programmers make errors, and most of the time, programmers are not able to handle these errors completely. If they want to fix these errors, then they can only be corrected by fixing the codebase. Here you can take a look at the most common programming errors:

• Syntax errors: These types of errors happen if you do not close the curly braces in the process of defining a JavaScript function. 
• Array index out of bounds: This common error happens when you want to have a 7th element of the array, while on the other hand, there are only six available. 
• Reference errors: This is the most common error that happens only when you access functions that are not well-defined. 

Operational Errors

It does not matter if your program is correct, however it will have operational errors. These issues can happen during runtime, and not to mention, external factors can contribute to interrupting the regular flow of your program. However, developers can better understand and handle operational errors than programmer errors. Here are the most common operational errors:

• Socket hang-up
• Request timeout
• File not found 
• Unable to connect to a server

Developers can get rid of these common errors to prevent the sudden ending or closing of their program if they know the best practices to handle these errors. Now, let’s discuss the best practices that will significantly help developers handle these errors:

Try-Catch Block

You can use try-catch blocks, which are a simple method to handle those errors in your Node.js app development. This technique is very useful since you can try coding in the try block. And in case you find any error in the catch block, then the catch block will eliminate those errors. Try-catch blocks are a very constructive technique for synchronous functions as well.

While using the Try-Catch Block, the try block wraps the code where there are possibilities of code errors. Putting it into simple words, you just have to surround the piece of code for which you want to check the errors.

Error-First Callbacks

In order to build strong and reliable applications, it is a must for Node.js developers to do complete error handling. 

The Error-first callback in Node.js is a functionality that works by returning an error object while there is any successful data that is carried back by the function. 

Moreover, Asynchronous programming is a vital feature of Node.js development as it enables Node.js developers to conduct non-blocking I/O operations; thus, ultimately boosting applications’ performance. 

But, when it comes to handling errors in asynchronous programming, this is where the real challenges lie. Because you don’t know where an error might happen in the procedure, it is difficult for you to find and fix it.   

In situations like these, you can use Error-first callbacks as it is the regular technique that helps in error handling for mainly asynchronous code as well as in the callback pattern. The Error-first callback in Node.js is a functionality that works by returning an error object, even if there is any successful data carried back by the function. 

Using this best practice, developers can find errors as they happen and solve them in an effective and well-organized way. For example, the error object includes details of the error, like a description, as well as a stack trace. As a result, it streamlines the process of debugging and fixing code issues. 

On top of this, you can write defensive code by using error-first callbacks. So, developers can further enhance the performance and stability of their apps, as they can identify potential errors and solve them accordingly. Thus, in the end, it helps to minimize the possible scenarios of crashes. 

Promises

Promises are a further evolution of callbacks in Node.js. This is one of the best practices in the process of error handling in Node.js since it offers a very organized process to handle those asynchronous codes. And it is considered even better when we compare it with the traditional callback functions. 

The promise constructor enables developers to easily build a promise and takes a function as its argument, which is later known as the executor functionality. Then, further in the process, the executor functionality is passed into two functions, such as resolve and reject. These two features or functionalities are utilized to indicate that the Promise is fulfilled or rejected. 

3. Using Asynchronous Programming

Asynchronous programming allows developers to operate various tasks simultaneously. So, there is no need to wait for the completion of the task in order to start another one. Most of the I/O operations, such as reading from a database, making HTTP requests, etc, are asynchronous in the Node.js platform.          

As a Node.js developer, you can use Asynchronous programming that enables improved performance, scalability, as well as interactive user interfaces. You can take full advantage by using its callback function. The main functionality of a callback is to run code in response to an event. 

Callbacks are a great system in Node.js that assists in handling asynchronous programming. A callback is a functionality that passes an argument to another function. And when there is a completion of an operation, then it is executed further. Thus, there will be full continuity of executing code without any blocking. 

4. Use NPM Package Manager

Being a default package manager for Node.js, NPM is best for its amazing integration with Node.js. By using this package manager, developers are able to streamline the process of installing, managing, and sharing code dependencies. Java developers can take advantage of its extensive repository that has more than 2 million packages. 

Benefits of Using NPM Package Manager

Now, let’s talk about the different benefits NPM can offer to developers:

Wide Range of Package Repositories Available

Developers prefer to use NPM as you can’t compare its extraordinary repository housing over 2 million packages. Further, these packages provide extensive varieties of functions as well as use cases. Developers can also speed up the process of development since they can easily access a wide range of open-source libraries as well as modules. 

NPM CLI

As NPM is referred to as a Node Package Manager, the CLI is referred to as a Command Line Interface. Using the command line means accessing Node.js packages as well as dependencies. CLI has various commands to manage scripts, configurations, and packages. 

Moreover, by using CLI, you as a developer will be able to do the tasks effectively and easily, which can include installation, updates, as well as scripting. 

Custom Scripts

By utilizing the NPM run command, developers can easily define custom scripts in the “package.json” file. Moreover, this function allows the automation of different development procedures that can range from building, testing, and deploying to simplifying the development workflow.

Well-Established Ecosystem

Since NPM has a strong infrastructure as well as great community support, developers can take advantage of its well-organized and well-established environment. The community and the NPM ecosystem have been utilized for a long time and have seen significant improvements over the years. Therefore, they are considered steady, secure, and authentic tools to smoothly manage project dependencies. 

NPM is a powerful package manager that enables developers to solve the problem while building Node.js apps. From its extensive range of package repositories to a well-established ecosystem, developers prefer to use the NPM package manager. 

Not to mention, some developers try to use both Yarn and NPM in their projects, but it is not an effective thing to do. Because NPM and Yarn both work in their own way when it comes to handling dependencies, as a result of this, you will find lots of volatility as well as inaccuracies in your project. Thus, it is best to use only one package manager while working on a Node.js application. 

5. Securing Node.js Application

As a developer you want to secure your application, therefore you must implement secure coding. Nevertheless, you can’t be 100%  sure of the security of your code if you are utilizing open-source packages. Moreover, hackers are always looking for any badly handled data in order to get access to your codebase. 

Use a Robust Authentication System

If your Node.js has a bad and imperfect authentication system in place, then your app is more vulnerable to attacks by hackers. Therefore, it becomes more than important that you implement a robust authentication mechanism. 

For example, while implementing native Node.js authentication, you must use Bcrypt or Scrypt instead of using the Node.js integrated crypto library. Further, you must limit unsuccessful login attempts and don’t show that your username or password is wrong; instead, show a common error like a failed login or attempt. 

If you want to significantly improve the security and safety of your Node.js application, then 2FA authentication is the best solution to use with modules like node-2fa or speakeasy. 

Server-Side Logging 

Developers can use effective features and functions for debugging and tracking other tasks by using a quality logging library. If there are many logs, then it will negatively affect the performance of your application. For example, when deploying an app, make sure to use logical logging.

On the other hand, if you log indistinct messages, it will create misconceptions.  Therefore, make sure to structure the log messages and format them in a way that both humans and machines can easily read and recognize them. 

In addition to this, using reasonable logging mechanisms will include IP address, username as well as activities carried out by a user. However, storing sensitive details within the logs means you are not complying with PCI and GDPR. But, if it is important to store sensitive information within app logs, then concealing such details before capturing and writing them into the application logs will be the best solution for you as a Node.js developer. 

You can use these best practices and authentication mechanisms to secure your Node.js application. Not to mention, you should also work on upgrading and managing those dependencies so that you are able to avoid the risk of any security threats to your Node.js application. 

5 Key Takeaways 

1. Node.js Module System offers chunks of encapsulated code, enabling developers to easily divide complicated code into tiny parts. Thus, it is easy to manage those small parts of your code. 
2. While programming, programmers tend to make mistakes most of the time. Moreover, your program can also have operation errors such as Socket hang-up, Request Timeout, File not Found, etc. Programmers can solve such errors by using Try-Catch Block, Error-First Callbacks, and Promises. 
3. Using Asynchronous programming enables developers to do multiple tasks at the same time. Furthermore, you can take advantage of its callback function, which can help you a lot while using asynchronous programming. 
4. Further, NPM Package Manager offers an extensive range of package repositories to boost the development process. On top of this, developers can also use NPM CLI to streamline the process of installation, updation, and scripting. 
5. In order to improve the security of your Node.js app, you can use a strong authentication system like 2FA authentication. This authentication system works best with modules such as node-2fa or speakeasy. In addition to this, you can also implement reasonable logging mechanisms that will help store the IP address, username, and other activities done by the end user. 

Therefore, using these advanced, well-tested practices such as using Node.js Module System, prioritizing error handling, implementing asynchronous programming language, updating dependencies, and securing Node.js applications, you will be well on your way to developing faster, responsive, robust, and better-performing Node.js applications.