Node-RED is a stream-based development tool for visual programming, primarily focused on wiring the Internet of Things (IoT). This programming tool is developed to wire together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in innovative ways.
Developed by:
Initially developed by IBM Emerging Technology, Node-RED is an open-source programming tool.
Developers:
- Nick O'Leary
- Dave Conway-Jones
Latest version:
- v1.0.6 (npm)
- Written In JavaScript
How Node-RED work
A Node-RED flow operates by passing messages between nodes. The messages in Node-RED are simple JavaScript objects that can have any set of properties.
Installing NODE-RED
Installing with npm (Node package manager)
sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red
To upgrade to the latest version:
sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red
Installing with docker
docker run -it -p 1880:1880 --name mynodered nodered/node-red
Installing with snap
sudo snap install node-red
Running NODE-RED
Once Node-RED is installed and set up, it can be run in three ways:
- Locally
- On a device
- In a cloud environment
Top Reasons to use NODE-RED
Browser-based flow editing:
Browser-based flow editingIt provides a browser-based editor that makes it easy to wire together flows using the wide range of nodes in the palette that can be deployed to its runtime in a single-click.
Written in JavaScript:
javascriptThus, it is build in javascript then NODE-RED took all the advantages of this language that is Event-Based Programming language, Procedural programming capabilities, Platform independent and beyond all this it comparatively fast and easy to learn.
Cross-Platform Compatibility:
Node-RED can run on various operating systems, including Raspbian, Ubuntu, Windows, Docker, Debian, and macOS.
Versatility Beyond IoT:
While Node-RED is highly popular in the IoT space, it also supports many ready-made nodes for designing creative features beyond IoT applications.
Cloud- IBM Cloud
- SenseTecnic FRED
- Amazon Web Services
- Microsoft Azure
Pre-installed Device:
- Raspberry Pi
- BeagleBone Black
- Interacting with Arduino
- Android
Types of Nodes in Node-RED
- Inject Node: This node allows manual triggering of flows and facilitates injecting events at scheduled intervals.
- Debug Node:Displays the content of a message, either the payload or the entire object, which is useful for debugging.
- Template Node: Modifies the output based on a Mustache (logic-less) template.
There are various input, output and function nodes:
| Input Node | Output Node | Function Node |
| HTTP | HTTP response | Function |
| IBM IoT | IBM IoT | Switch |
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