Hey,

I can't recommend you the best way, but I can tell you how learned and started to love Node.js

Coming from Java over Ruby to Node.js. Thanks to Ruby and Sinatra, I learned how easy it can be to write REST services with a super simple grammar.

In Node.js, some guys started to extend the HTTP module of Node.js. They tried to mimic the API of Sinatra and called it Express.js.

Head over to http://expressjs.com/ website and hover with your mouse above the Getting Started section and select 'Installing' and then 'Hello World'. Then the Basic Routing example, which is the concept key in my opinion. If you did that, you can write simple backend services.

For more advanced topics, see the Guides section.

Why should you learn Express.js when you are asking about learning Node.js? Well, Express.js sits on top of Node.js. It doesn't hide stuff away from you.

If you think you are ready for more, then npmjs.org should be your next goal. Have fun!

Depending on your JavaScript experience, there are a few things you could do:

• For grasping the fundamentals of how things work, have a look at NodeSchool. They have short courses about various technologies used in and around Node.js. Choose the ones you're interested in.
• Find out what each of the following terms mean: routing, templating, middleware, transpiler, module bundler. (I might be missing some, but these are essential.)
• Get a good working knowledge of at least one Node.js web framework. Express and Koa are good starting points. Once you are comfortable with one framework, the others will hardly take a few days to learn.
• Make it a habit to write tests.
• Contribute to Open Source projects. A lot of projects have beginner-friendly issues on GitHub.
• For an in-depth knowledge about web-specific development, I highly recommend buying a book. There are even some free ebooks you might find useful.
• Lastly, follow some experienced developers and interesting projects on Twitter, and keep checking Echo JS. Do not get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity going on; just learn what makes sense to you and keep moving forward.

All the best.

I'll give you my JavaScript training program textbooks:

A must read from beginning to end: http://eloquentjavascript.net/ Now for advanced understanding of the core: https://github.com/getify/You-Dont-Know-JS

Now that you have a more solid knowledge of the basics, its time to learn how to actually build scalable applications: chimera.labs.oreilly.com/books/1234000000262/inde…

barnesandnoble.com/p/javascript-application-desig…

Also, don't miss the github.com/ericelliott/essential-javascript-links

Learning node can get intimidating at first when you try to understand 'event loop' and 'streams'. I would suggest not to worry even if you do not understand those concept initially. Don't stop there. Move on to learn express js. Express is easy and it will give you required boost to move forward into concepts of event loop and streams. Get any beginner level express js book and create a simple website using express framework. Next step would be to learn about socket.io and real time communication.