What Can Node.js Do? 5 Must-Do Practical Projects for Beginners

Node.js is a tool based on Chrome's V8 engine that enables JavaScript to run on the server side. Its core advantages are non-blocking I/O and event-driven architecture, making it suitable for handling high-concurrency asynchronous tasks. It has a wide range of application scenarios: developing web applications (e.g., with Express/Koa frameworks), API interfaces, real-time applications (e.g., real-time messaging using Socket.io), command-line tools, and data analysis/crawlers. For beginners, the article recommends 5 practical projects: a personal blog (using Express + EJS + file reading/writing), a command-line to-do list (using commander + JSON storage), a RESTful API (using Express + JSON data), a real-time chat application (using Socket.io), and a weather query tool (using axios + third-party APIs). These projects cover core knowledge points such as route design, asynchronous operations, and real-time communication. In summary, it emphasizes that starting with Node.js requires hands-on practice. Completing these projects allows gradual mastery of key skills. It is recommended to begin with simple projects, consistently practice by consulting documentation and referring to examples, and quickly enhance practical capabilities.