Top 10 Node.js tools for developers in 2020

Node.JS is an open-source platform built using the Google Chrome JavaScript runtime. It allows the developers to build fast and scalable applications with just a few lines of code.

If you are looking for some of the best Node.js tools for developers to streamline your workflow, then you have landed in the right place. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

1. Mocha.js

Mocha.js is a JavaScript test framework that is based on Node.js. This framework lets the Node.js developers test both in console and in the browser easily. In addition to that, it can be used for unit and integration testing. Mocha.js also works perfectly well for TDD (Test-Driven Development) and BDD (Behaviour Driven Development).

One of the prime reasons to use the Mocha.js framework is that its modularity allows you to use other libraries with it such as Chai, Sinon, or Should.js

2. Socket.io

Do you know Microsoft Office, Yammer, Zendesk, and Trello are some of the well-known products using the Socket.io framework? Developers across the world prefer using this framework instead of other myriad of Node.js tools for developers. 

Its real-time analytics module can easily push data to clients for real-time graphical representation. It also helps in coding instant messaging and chat features. 

A notable feature of the Socket.io framework is that it makes the implementation of binary streaming of audio, video, image, etc. easier. Developers prefer using to create apps that facilitate concurrent editing of a document.

3. Keystone

Have you been looking for the simplest method to learn and start app development with Node.js? We just got a perfect solution for you. You can use the Keystone framework. It is one of the best Node.js tools for developers in 2020.

Keystone is basically an open-source, and full-stack framework loved and used by developers across the world. This framework uses MongoDB as the database. If you want to create database-driven websites, applications, and APIs in Node.js, you can go for the Keystone framework without any second thoughts. 

A notable feature of this tool is its auto-generated user interface that can easily handle the website. Both Express and MongoDB clubbed together to provide a robust CMS framework. So, download this tool to start coding in Node.js.

4. Express.JS

The Express.JS was built by TJ Holowychuk, one of the team members of the core Node project. An advantage of using this framework is the large and active community of developers across the world. It also has a plus point of continuous updates and reforms of all its core features.  Express.JS is often used to build a number of mobile applications and APIs. A Node or React Native development company mostly prefers this framework due to its robust features. 

This framework’s robust API lets the users configure routes for sending/receiving requests between the front-end and the database (acting as an HTTP server framework).

If you work with this framework, you can use other packages and other template engines such as Pug, Mustache, EJS and a lot more.

5. Webpack

Webpack is an amazing JavaScript module bundler used by developers to simplify the front-end development. It detects modules with dependencies and changes them into static assets that represent the modules. 

This tool can be easily installed through either the npm or Yarn package manager with the following commands:

With npm:

Npm install –save-dev webpack

And with Yarn:

Yarn add webpack –dev

It creates single bundles or multiple chains of assets that can be loaded asynchronously at runtime. It helps in making the overall user experience better and reducing the developer’s hassle. If you are confused from various Node.JS tools for developers, you can pick this up.

6. Babel

Babel is basically a JavaScript transpiler that is used for front-end development of various applications. It allows the developers to use all the ES6 features while compiling ES5 for the production. Consequently, it helps in making the code more readable. 

In addition to that, it also extends support to the latest version of JavaScript so that developers can use the latest syntax without waiting for browser support. Moreover, you can easily integrate it with other JavaScript tools. 

7. Snyk

Cybersecurity has always been a key concern for all the developers across the world. Fortunately, Snyk comes as a handy solution to tackle this problem. It is a well-known tool to fix the vulnerabilities in open source components. 

It was initially created as a project to fix vulnerabilities in Node.js projects and then evolved to detect and fix vulnerabilities in Ruby, Java, Python, and Scala apps as well. 

A notable feature of this tool is that it can be integrated with your project at any given point in time – and at any stage, be it coding, CI/CD and reporting. In addition to that, you can also run the PR checks for your applications in GitHub to make your projects more secure.

8. ActionHero

ActionHero is a Node.js API server and framework that provides custom packages for companies of all sizes along with high-end customer support.

This framework lets you write a RESTful API for using either via HTTP, WebSocket or plain TCP Socket connections. It is a great tool if you need to provide real-time information to your users and let them talk to each other through chat rooms. 

In addition to that, ActionHero offers scalability out of the box as it depends on Redis to communicate with other nodes in the network. Various popular companies such as Riot Games, Samsung, Task Rabbit, and Madglory use this framework to run their applications.

9. Broccoli

Broccoli is a strong build tool that runs on an ES6 module. Build tools let you assemble various assets within your application or website such as images, CSS, JavaScript, etc. into a single distributable format. From other Node.JS tools for developers, it is quite simpler to use. 

To work with Broccoli, you need to have a project directory. A major advantage of using Broccoli is that it has a built-in server for development. This server lets the developers host the assets on a local HTTP server. Broccoli is perfectly ideal for streamlined rebuilds, as its concise architecture and flexible ecosystem boost rebuild.

10. WebStorm IDE

The WebStorm IDE is just the right fit if you are looking for an awesome IDE for JavaScript. A plus point of using it is that it is lightweight and has got everything that developers need to build Node.js applications on the client-side as well as server-side. 

If you work only on the JavaScript/HTML/CSS development, the WebStorm IDE is a tool made for you. You can use it for debugging, tracking (with built-in tool spy.js) and unit testing (with easy to integrate Karma or Mocha.js). Amazing, isn’t it?

Wrapping up

With the increasing popularity of Node.JS, developers must take care that they are using the right set of tools to build applications. The list of Node.js tools for developers mentioned above will help the developers in writing and testing codes a lot easier and faster.

Author Bio:

James Grills is currently associated with Cumulations Technologies, a React Native development company. He is a technical writer with a passion for writing on emerging technologies in the areas of mobile application development and IOT technology.