# What is Node.js? — Node.js

Source: https://www.geekswithgeeks.com/en/nodejs/node-intro

> A JavaScript runtime that runs outside the browser.

## JavaScript, off the browser

**Node.js** is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's **V8** engine. It lets you run JS on servers, in CLI tools, and in build scripts — anywhere, not just a browser tab.

## Non-blocking by design

Node uses a single-threaded **event loop** with non-blocking I/O — it can handle thousands of connections without spawning a thread per request.

## One waiter, many tables

Think of Node as a single **waiter** who never stands idle at one table — they place an order (start an I/O task) and move to the next table while the kitchen works.