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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
Definition: The Internet of Things consists of interconnected devices with built-in sensors and software, facilitating data exchange and automation.
Some of the most recognizable IoT devices include:
Smart Device | Examples |
Phones and tablets | Android phones, Apple iPhones and iPads |
Speakers | Amazon Echo, Google Home |
Thermostats | Nest, Ecobee |
Home security | Ring, Arlo |
Lighting | Philips Hue, LIFX |
Locks | August Smart Lock, Yale Assure Lock |
TVs and streaming | Roku, Apple TV |
Fitness trackers | Fitbit, Apple Watch |
Kitchen appliances | Smart refrigerators, ovens, & coffee makers |
Cars and tracking systems | Tesla, GPS trackers |
Industrial sensors | Machinery monitors, predictive maintenance systems, and logistics tracking solutions |
ⓘ Additional Info
Smart devices that include microphones process audio voice commands through Natural Language Processing (NLP). This refers to the interactions between computers and human language with which machines can understand, interpret, and generate speech. Check out our step-by-step tutorial of how to create your own powerful NLP app if the process interests you!
The Impact of the IoT
Before we jump into 8 reasons JavaScript works so well for the IoT, let's explore why that even matters. Why has the IoT become so important? What is the IoT changing in society?
Smart Homes
IoT devices allow users to automate aspects in the home from lighting and thermostats to security systems. Voice assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home enable users to control smart devices around the house with a simple voice command. These make the IoT useful for everyone from multitaskers to individuals with disabilities, making daily tasks more accessible.
Wellness
The rise of wearable health devices is thanks to the IoT, which makes it easier to monitor heart rate, steps taken, sleep patterns, and more. These metrics provide users with valuable insights into their well-being.
Professional healthcare can utilize IoT-enabled medical devices too, like remote patient monitoring systems. These allow healthcare professionals to track patients' health in real-time, enhancing healthcare delivery.
Retail Environments
IoT devices can track inventory in real-time, monitor product levels on shelves, and automatically reorder products when stock is low. Additionally, retailers can deploy beacons to send personalized promotions and notifications to customers' smartphones.
Industrial IoT (IIoT)
IoT is used to track the movement of goods in the supply chain, providing real-time visibility and enabling better logistics management. IoT sensors on industrial equipment can monitor performance in real-time and predict when maintenance is needed, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.
Smart Agriculture
IoT-enabled irrigation systems can adjust water usage based on real-time plant and weather conditions. Sensors help monitor soil conditions, crop health, and weather patterns, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions.
Smart Cities
Smart waste bins equipped with sensors can alert waste management services when they need emptying, optimizing collection routes and reducing costs. IoT sensors on roads and in traffic lights can help optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve overall transportation efficiency.
Education
IoT devices are used in education to create interactive and connected classrooms. Smartboards, connected tablets, and other devices enhance the learning experience.
IoT has reshaped how people interact with their environments, making them more efficient, accessible, customizable, and responsive.
8 Reasons to Use JavaScript for IoT
JavaScript is traditionally a client-side scripting language, and is now making its way into IoT development. Its non-blocking, event-driven architecture fits well with IoT devices:
1. JavaScript is a Common, Cross-Platform Language
JavaScript is a language many developers already know, which makes it easier to pick up or return to for a project. On top of that, many different devices understand it, making it easier to work with. JavaScript's versatility allows developers to write code that can run on various device architectures. Cross-platform capability is crucial for the IoT because devices varying in capability and function need to work in harmony.
2. JavaScript Runtime Environments and Frameworks
JavaScript is mainly used to create interactive elements on websites (like buttons that change color when clicked). But by integrating runtime environments and frameworks, it can do much more. Here are just a few examples:
Node.js
Node.js is like a powerhouse that allows JavaScript to do tasks beyond just making fancy web pages. It lets you write code that can receive and send data to other computers, read and write files, and even running web servers that host websites or web applications.
Definition: Node.js is a versatile tool to help developers build applications using JavaScript.
Node.js is like having a small, nimble worker who can handle lots of tasks quickly and doesn't use up too much energy. It can handle asynchronous tasks on resource-constrained devices, and is therefore well-suited for the IoT.
IoT-Specific JavaScript Frameworks
Frameworks like Johnny-Five and Cylon.js are designed specifically for IoT development using JavaScript. They make it easier for developers to work with IoT devices by providing abstractions and APIs, which simplify interactions with hardware components.
3. Development with IoT Platforms and Services
JavaScript integrates with web technologies, enabling the development of web-based interfaces that can monitor and control IoT devices. WebSockets and other web communication protocols facilitate real-time communication between these devices and web applications.
4. Web of Things (WoT)
Web of Things is an initiative that aims to standardize the use of web technologies, including JavaScript, in the IoT. JavaScript can be used to create WoT descriptions, allowing devices to expose their functionalities in a standardized way over the web.
5. Edge Computing
When you're utilizing an IoT device, you want it to respond as quickly as possible. That's why edge computing is particularly useful: Imagine having a mini data center close to your smart device. This data center handles tasks more quickly than a larger, far-off computer.
Definition: Edge computing involves processing data on a local device instead of a distant, centralized data center. Computing closer to the source enables faster response time and efficiency.
Edge computing is particularly important in IoT scenarios that require low-latency processing. And guess what language can develop edge computing applications? JavaScript.
6. Community Support
JavaScript has a strong and vibrant community constantly developing libraries and tools, many of which are applicable to the IoT. Having up-to-date resources means that IoT solutions are only getting better.
7. Device Communication & RESTful APIs
JavaScript libraries and frameworks integrate well with sensors and actuators, allowing developers to build applications that interact with the physical world. JavaScript libraries like MQTT.js allow devices to publish messages to topics or subscribe to topics to receive messages, facilitating communication between devices in the network.
JavaScript can also interact with RESTful APIs to send and receive data. Devices can make requests to web servers or cloud services to exchange information, control device functionality, or retrieve sensor data.
Definition: RESTful (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for designing simple, scalable networked applications.
CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) is also RESTful, similar in purpose to HTTP, but is optimized for constrained environments. It's designed to be lightweight in message size and processing requirements. This makes it suitable for use in IoT devices with limited processing power and memory, low bandwidth, or intermittent connectivity.
In other words, some JavaScript resources can improve IoT communication performance.
8. Security
IoT devices collect and transmit sensitive data, such as personal information and device status. Unfortunately, with such sensitive information being stored and transmitted, there's a risk of unauthorized access and privacy breaches.
IoT devices need regular security updates to patch vulnerabilities and protect against these emerging threats. JavaScript can be used to implement security measures in IoT applications:
Encryption
Some JavaScript libraries have the ability to implement encryption and decryption algorithms, ensuring that data transmitted between IoT devices and servers is protected against eavesdropping and interception.
Authentication and Authorization
JavaScript frameworks like Passport.js can implement authentication and authorization mechanisms, such as OAuth2.0 or JWT, to verify user or device identity and control access.
Secure Communication Protocols
JavaScript libraries like MQTT.js or Socket.IO have features to secure communication protocols and ensure secure communication between IoT devices and servers.
Access Control
JavaScript frameworks like Express.js can be used to implement ACLs (Access Control Lists) or RBACs (Role-Based Access Control).
Overall, JavaScript can play a crucial role in creating a secure, lightweight, and fast IoT project. We hope these 8 reasons why have shed light on why you should consider this coding language.
Still not sure? Have questions about your project? Talk to a BearPeak expert!