May 1, 2024
Updated June 21, 2025
19 minute read
An Introduction to Node-RED: Visualizing the Flow of Data
Node-RED is a powerful, open-source visual programming tool designed for connecting hardware devices, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), and online services in novel and interesting ways. It provides a browser-based editor that allows users to create applications by wiring together "nodes" – pre-built blocks of functionality – to form "flows." This approach, known as flow-based programming, simplifies the development of event-driven applications, making it accessible to individuals with varying levels of programming expertise. Whether you're a hobbyist looking to automate your home, a developer prototyping an Internet of Things (IoT) solution, or an engineer integrating industrial systems, Node-RED offers a versatile and intuitive platform.
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Reading list
We've selected 20 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Node-Red.
Offers a comprehensive introduction to Node-RED, covering its history, core concepts, and practical applications in web and IoT development. It's suitable for beginners and those with some programming background, providing hands-on tutorials and projects to solidify understanding. The book useful reference for getting started and exploring the Node-RED ecosystem. It is particularly helpful for understanding how to handle IoT data and build web applications with minimal coding.
Provides a comprehensive guide to Node-RED, covering everything from basic concepts to advanced techniques. It valuable resource for both beginners and experienced users who want to learn more about Node-RED.
Focuses on using Node-RED for Internet of Things (IoT) projects, starting with the basics of programming a Raspberry Pi and utilizing open-source tools. It provides practical knowledge for developing IoT systems, covering data acquisition, real-time streaming, and integrating physical devices. This valuable resource for those interested in applying Node-RED specifically to IoT and understanding the architecture of IoT systems. It includes hands-on projects for practical learning.
Focuses on the combination of Node-RED with the Raspberry Pi Pico W, offering a learning guide and reference for building IoT projects. It covers using Node-RED with a specific microcontroller, which is highly relevant for practical IoT applications. This book is particularly useful for those interested in hardware integration and embedded systems with Node-RED.
The Node-RED Cookbook is an online collection of recipes and examples for solving common programming tasks using Node-RED. While not a traditional book, it's an invaluable reference for practical implementations and specific use cases. It's best used as a supplementary resource to a foundational text, offering solutions to specific problems encountered during development.
Provides a collection of practical projects that show how to use Node-RED with the Raspberry Pi. It valuable resource for beginners who want to get started with IoT development.
While not solely focused on Node-RED, this book provides a broader context of Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications, where Node-RED is frequently used. It can offer valuable background knowledge on the types of problems Node-RED is used to solve in an industrial setting. This is more of a supplementary read for understanding the application domain than a direct Node-RED guide.
Focuses on Python for IoT development. While Node-RED can integrate with Python, this book is not a direct resource for learning Node-RED itself. It could be valuable for users who need to integrate Python-based solutions with their Node-RED flows or want to compare different approaches to IoT programming.
This is an online course title and not a book. It further indicates the use of ESP32 (like NodeMCU) in practical IoT applications, a domain where Node-RED is frequently applied.
This is an online course title and not a book. It suggests that Node-RED enables rapid prototyping and development of IoT projects, even for beginners.
This is an online course title and not a book. It provides context that Node-RED is used in IoT projects involving ESP32 microcontrollers, MQTT protocol, and Docker containers. This information is useful for understanding common use cases of Node-RED.
This is an online course title and not a book. It provides context that Node-RED is used for building real-time data visualization dashboards. This highlights the importance of the Node-RED Dashboard in practical applications.
This is an online course title and not a book. It highlights that a basic understanding of JavaScript is beneficial for working with Node-RED, particularly for creating custom functions within flows.
This is an online course title and not a book. It reinforces the relevance of Node-RED in conjunction with Raspberry Pi Pico W for getting started with projects, aligning with book recommendations on this topic.
This is an online course title and not a book. It further emphasizes the use of Node-RED with ESP32 microcontrollers in project-based learning, which common application area.
This is an online course title and not a book. It suggests a related area of interest, home automation using AWS IoT, where Node-RED can potentially be integrated, although the course itself is not about Node-RED.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/4w40im/node