REPL

The term REPL stands for Read Eval Print and Loop. It specifies a computer environment like a window console or a Unix/Linux shell where you can enter the commands and the system responds with an output in an interactive mode.

REPL Environment

The Node.js or node come bundled with REPL environment. Each part of the REPL environment has a specific work.

Read: It reads user's input; parse the input into JavaScript data-structure and stores in memory.

Eval: It takes and evaluates the data structure.

Print: It prints the result.

Loop: It loops the above command until user press ctrl-c twice.

How to start REPL

You can start REPL by simply running "node" on the command prompt. See this:

You can execute various mathematical operations on REPL Node.js command prompt:

Node.js Simple expressions

After starting REPL node command prompt put any mathematical expression:

Example: >10+20-5
25

Example2: >10+12 + (5*4)/7

Using variable

Variables are used to store values and print later. If you don't use var keyword then value is stored in the variable and printed whereas if var keyword is used then value is stored but not printed. You can print variables using console.log().

Example:

Node.js Multiline expressions

Node REPL supports multiline expressions like JavaScript. See the following do-while loop example:

var x = 0
undefined
> do {
... x++;
... console.log("x: " + x);
... } while ( x < 10 );

Node.js Underscore Variable

You can also use underscore _ to get the last result.

Example:

Node.js REPL Commands

Node.js Exit REPL

Use ctrl + c command twice to come out of Node.js REPL.