This document provides an overview of Node.js including its history, core concepts, and applications. Node.js is an open source JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It allows JavaScript to be used for non-browser applications including network programs and I/O operations. Some key aspects covered include asynchronous programming using callbacks and events, core modules like Net and HTTP, and using Node.js to build servers and APIs. Example applications mentioned are HTTP servers, databases, and APIs.