Synopsis- With all the wonders spread out of Node.js, had you ever thought that Node.js could be used as an Operating System? What actually requires to build an Operating System? What is it about the node package manager NPM that is winning hearts across the globe? This blog is an eye-opener and a welcome round with applause for the Node.js based OS.
For all the Node.js lovers out there, I know this back-end technology much takes you. The most powerful, successful, and proven examples of enterprise applications built on Node.js are Netflix, Walmart, NASA, and the list goes on. These names itself show the potential beheld by Node.js.
To know more about the fantastic works on Node.js, you can read how Node.js is Strongly growing as Universal Development Framework for Product Companies and Enterprises.
Nevertheless, I got frenetic as I heard one of my colleagues saying she would like to work on an Operating System built on Node.js.
I was like, “What? Is that even possible?” She was serious. Till that time, I didn’t know about NodeOS and eXtern OS (the Node.js based os), so I got skeptical. I only knew the power of node.js for modern web development, as I read this article on Gartner. Later, I started wondering what all it requires in an Operating System.
What is the Operating System (OS)?
An Operating System is a mediatory platform between computer devices (hardware) and the computer user. Developers can build applications on the OS as they get the libraries and infrastructure from the platform. With the help of the Operating System, users can make use of computer hardware, by using system programs and application programs.
What are the Functions of an OS?
The core functions of an Operating System are to provide convenience to the users, avail efficient use of the system resources, allow development, testing, and openness to new functions without interfering with other services.
What is the Kernel?
The most crucial and innermost part of the system is the Kernel. All the communication and transaction between the computer hardware and software takes place through the kernel. It is the fundamental and mandatory module of an operating system.
What are the Functions of a Kernel?
The prime role of the kernel is memory management, disk space management, and task/process management. By far now, Node.js perating systems use the Linux kernel. I will get more into it later.
Now that we know the basics of an operating system let us see how node.js can build an operating system.
The Potential of Node.js
Node.js is a Javascript runtime platform for building fast, scalable, data-intensive, and real-time network apps for distributed devices. It is an open-source, lightweight, and cross-platform environment that runs code outside the browser. It uses an event-driven and non-blocking I/O model.
The uniqueness of Node.js is that developers use this programming language not only for frontend development but also for back-end development. At this moment, if Node.js lovers like you think how is it possible to have an operating system based on Node.js, I will tell you a secret.
The Efficacy of Node.js Lies Within the Node Package Manager (NPM).
Node.js is not a language, it is a runtime.
Node.js is not a language, it is a runtime.
Node.js is not a language, it is a runtime.
Node.js is not a language, it is a runtime.
Node.js is not a language, it is a runtime.
Node.js is not a language, it is a runtime.— Wassim Chegham (@manekinekko) March 5, 2020
What is NPM?
Issac Z. Schlueter initially developed and released the Node Package Manager (NPM) in January 2020. NPM is an online treasury of open-source node.js projects, to handle and manage packages of the javascript programming language. NPM is the default package manager for Node.js, and it helps in managing local dependencies of the project and tools.
Top Organizations Using Node.js
Some of the top Global Companies that use Node.js for their web app development are :
Coming back to the main point, for all Node.js based OS, it evaluates that all the projects/packages that are available in the NPM, are indeed all available in the OS. Meaning, that OS will have more than a million applications, looking at the current packages available in the NPM.
Forthwith, let us see two emerging operating systems based on Node.js.
1. NodeOS- Node.js based OS
NodeOS is the very first operating system based on node.js and NPM. Jacob Groundwater introduced this OS in 2013, and the complete source is available on Github. Jacob primarily built this OS on the Linux Kernel, Node.js as the runtime, and used NPM for package management.
NodeOS uses Linux Kernel to handle critical performance tasks like hardware interactions. Whereas, the OS handles all the remaining functions through the cross-platform Node.js runtime and package management with NPM.
The NodeOS divides into different layers:
The Software
The most notable advantage of NodeOS, being hosted on the Linux Kernel, is that it can feature all the excellent programs that we expect from a modern OS. Moreover, as it uses NPM as its default package manager, we can use any of its javascript libraries anytime readily available.
The Hardware
The unique feature of NodeOS is that it can run on any hardware – may it be a computer, virtual machine, cloud application, or any custom machine. The OS has a low overhead, which makes it possible to run on a minimal Raspberry Pi, which can combine with any mere hardware device irrespective of disk size or space concerns.
This fact surely calls for big applause for the single-threaded nature of Node.js.
2. eXtern OS – Node.js based OS
Anesu Chiodze- a computer engineering and computer science student is developing the eXtern OS, based on NW.js and is fully supported by Node.js. He has specially designed the operating system for web content, and it provides dedicated audio and video playback software for the best OS experience.
The beta version of this exciting Linux Distribution is out, and the minimum requirements (as mentioned on the official extern OS website) are :
- Intel Celeron 64-bit 1.2 GHz or better
- 4 GB RAM.
- VGA 1366×768 screen resolution.
- Internet connectivity
eXtern OS avails a new dimension for the developers as they can build native apps on the OS using modern web technologies like HTML, CSS3, WebGL, and more.
The best part is its UI. Unlike most Linux desktop distributions, this one has a modern and distinctive user interface.
So yes! Good News for Node.js admirers is: Node.js is useful as an Operating System. Even I got stars in my eyes as I learned about this fantastic functionality provided by NPM. If you are keen to adopt this feature and convert it for your business growth, hire JavaScript developer, and fuel your web app. I hope you find this post informative. I am looking forward to your suggestions and comments.
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