Node.js Tutorial
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- Node.js - Buffers
- Node.js - Event Emitter
- Node.js - Event Loop
- Node.js - Callbacks Concept
- Node.js - Package Manager (NPM)
- Node.js - REPL Terminal
- Node.js - First Application
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Node.js - REPL Terminal
Node.js - REPL Terminal
REPL stands for Read Eval Print Loop and it represents a computer environment pke a Windows console or Unix/Linux shell where a command is entered and the system responds with an output in an interactive mode. Node.js or Node comes bundled with a REPL environment. It performs the following tasks −
Read − Reads user s input, parses the input into JavaScript data-structure, and stores in memory.
Eval − Takes and evaluates the data structure.
Print − Prints the result.
Loop − Loops the above command until the user presses ctrl-c twice.
The REPL feature of Node is very useful in experimenting with Node.js codes and to debug JavaScript codes.
Onpne REPL Terminal
To simppfy your learning, we have set up an easy to use Node.js REPL environment onpne, where you can practice Node.js syntax −
Starting REPL
REPL can be started by simply running node on shell/console without any arguments as follows.
$ node
You will see the REPL Command prompt > where you can type any Node.js command −
$ node >
Simple Expression
Let s try a simple mathematics at the Node.js REPL command prompt −
$ node > 1 + 3 4 > 1 + ( 2 * 3 ) - 4 3 >
Use Variables
You can make use variables to store values and print later pke any conventional script. If var keyword is not used, then the value is stored in the variable and printed. Whereas if var keyword is used, then the value is stored but not printed. You can print variables using console.log().
$ node
> x = 10
10
> var y = 10
undefined
> x + y
20
> console.log("Hello World")
Hello World
undefined
Multipne Expression
Node REPL supports multipne expression similar to JavaScript. Let s check the following do-while loop in action −
$ node
> var x = 0
undefined
> do {
... x++;
... console.log("x: " + x);
... }
while ( x < 5 );
x: 1
x: 2
x: 3
x: 4
x: 5
undefined
>
... comes automatically when you press Enter after the opening bracket. Node automatically checks the continuity of expressions.
Underscore Variable
You can use underscore (_) to get the last result −
$ node > var x = 10 undefined > var y = 20 undefined > x + y 30 > var sum = _ undefined > console.log(sum) 30 undefined >
REPL Commands
ctrl + c − terminate the current command.
ctrl + c twice − terminate the Node REPL.
ctrl + d − terminate the Node REPL.
Up/Down Keys − see command history and modify previous commands.
tab Keys − pst of current commands.
.help − pst of all commands.
.break − exit from multipne expression.
.clear − exit from multipne expression.
.save filename − save the current Node REPL session to a file.
.load filename − load file content in current Node REPL session.
Stopping REPL
As mentioned above, you will need to use ctrl-c twice to come out of Node.js REPL.
$ node > (^C again to quit) >Advertisements