What is Node.js

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It allows you to run JavaScript on the server side, outside of a web browser, which is why it's commonly used for building backend services or server-side applications.

Here's a breakdown to clarify the two perspectives you've encountered:

1. JavaScript Runtime
2. : At its core, Node.js is a runtime environment that executes JavaScript code outside of a browser. It provides an environment for JavaScript to interact with the operating system, file system, network, and other low-level operations that typical JavaScript in a browser can't access. It also includes built-in modules, like HTTP, File System, Path, etc., to help with server-side programming.
3. Backend Framework Misconception
4. : While Node.js itself is not a framework, it is commonly associated with backend development because it enables JavaScript to be used for creating server-side applications. People often use frameworks built on top of Node.js, such as Express.js, Nest.js, or Koa.js, which are indeed backend web frameworks. This association often leads to the misconception that Node.js is a backend framework when it is actually the runtime environment that these frameworks rely on.

In summary, Node.js is a runtime environment for JavaScript, and while it’s often used in backend development, it is not a backend framework itself. The confusion arises because Node.js is the foundation upon which many backend frameworks are built.