Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Google Chrome's V8 engine. It enables server-side execution of JavaScript, disrupting web development by providing high performance and scalability through its asynchronous I/O model.
Perfect for building scalable web applications, Node.js handles thousands of simultaneous connections without blocking. Its popularity stems from npm, a vast module library streamlining development. Widely used for servers, microservices, APIs, and real-time applications, Node.js exemplifies flexibility and efficiency in managing high loads.