What's libuv? Playing with the core of the Node.js Event Loop

What is the Event Loop in Node.js and how does it work?

Abstract

The goal of this Meetup over time is to gather a group of people in our local community that want to contribute to the Node.js Open Source Project. To do that, we're going to learn together the internals of the software powering Node.js.

At the center of Node.js is the Event Loop and that is executed using a C library called libuv (https://libuv.org).

Using a workshop style of hands on exercises we’ll dive into using libuv and write some code together using it outside of Node.js

Special Note

Please be prepared to program and compile C from your computer prior to attending. We'll spend a short amount of time covering this at the beginning, but waiting for everyone to download and install the toolset isn't a good use of our time.

Since we're focused on contributing to the [Node.js Project](https://github.com/nodejs/node), I suggest looking at the [Building Node.js](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/master/BUILDING.md) document for installing the right tools.

What we'll cover:

libuv has a lot of functionality, and since this is our first Meetup we'll start with the basics. Specifically, what we'll learn about:

• the origin of libuv
• what is the Event Loop
• how to program the Event Loop in C
• error handling
• storing context for callbacks
• creating more than one Event Loop

Schedule:

• 6:45 - 7:15 pm - because it's LA, fight traffic and arrive
• 7:15 - 7:30 pm - quick presentation on the origin of libuv and its place in Node.js
• 7:30 - 8:45 pm - Hands on exercises building C programs that use libuv
• 8:45 - 9:00 pm - Ways that we can contribute Now to the Node.js Project

Sponsors (sincerely, they're the best)

Thank you to our sponsor Codesmith who will be providing space, pizza and of course refreshments.