Node.js Backend Development Guide | Server-Side JavaScript & APIs

The event loop is a fundamental concept in Node.js that allows it to handle multiple requests concurrently without blocking. It continuously monitors for events and dispatches them to the appropriate handlers.

The event loop is what allows Node.js to perform non-blocking I/O operations, meaning it can continue processing requests while waiting for responses from external sources like databases or network connections.

Callbacks are functions that are executed after an asynchronous operation completes, and the event loop manages the execution of JavaScript code by scheduling these callbacks to be run when their corresponding events occur.

Understanding the event loop helps optimize Node.js applications for performance and avoids blocking operations, which can lead to slow response times and poor user experiences.