node.js and Node RED - langanjp/PI-NodeRED GitHub Wiki

node.js

• JavaScript runtime
• Lightweight (event-driven, non-blocking I/O)
• Based upon Chrome JavaScript engine
• Used to develop server / network applications (e.g. http / web application server)

Wait, what about other JavaScript frameworks like Angular JS 2.0 or jquery or D3.js?

• These are UI frameworks based upon JavaScript - but they run in a browser to build front ends for user application
• These technologies usually connect the user/browser with the server (that are running web APIs, node.js, Node-RED, .net, Ruby on Rails, etc.)

Node-RED

• I/O focused server framework based upon node.js
• Built specifically as "a visual tool for wiring the Internet of Things" by IBM
• Uses a visual flow editor to connect different "nodes" (both out of the box or add-in/custom) and function nodes (custom JavaScript used in Node-RED) in order to deliver messages or I/O across networks
• Sources for information:
  • https://nodered.org/
  • Node and flow library: https://flows.nodered.org/
  • Uses node.js npm (could stand for node package manager) for installation of contributed or non-core nodes
  • http://developers.sensetecnic.com/
  • http://noderedguide.com/

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Node-RED on Raspberry PI