Node.js Web Development, Fifth Edition: Server-side web development made easy with Node 14 using practical examples

Web Development, Fifth Edition: A Practical Guide for Server-Side JavaScript

Web Development, Fifth Edition by David Herron is a hands-on resource for building server-side applications with Node 14. Instead of treating as a black box, the book explains the event-driven architecture, asynchronous request handling, and the V8 engine that make the runtime distinctive. From there, it moves into the daily work of setting up, organizing modules, managing packages, and creating web servers that can handle real traffic.

What You’ll Work Through

• Getting running: installation options for macOS, Linux, Windows, and WSL, plus version management and command-line tools.
• Modules and packages: CommonJS and ES6 module formats, npm and npx,, dependency updates, and publishing packages.
• HTTP and Express: building servers and clients, working with EventEmitter, using middleware, handling errors, and structuring Express applications.
• Asynchronous JavaScript: callbacks, promises, async functions, and how they interact with the event loop.
• Scaling and architecture: performance considerations, microservice ideas, and deployment context for applications.

Who This Book Is For

This edition is aimed at developers who already know some JavaScript and want to apply it on the server. It works well for backend newcomers who need a clear path through fundamentals, and for experienced programmers who want a structured reference to Node 14 features and common patterns. The practical examples are designed to be typed, run, and adapted rather than simply read.

Why the Fifth Edition Stands Out

Updated coverage of Node 14 keeps the material current, while the book’s progression from core concepts to working applications helps readers see how the pieces fit together. The result is a guide that supports both learning and day-to-day development work.