The exec method executes shell commands in Node.js with buffered output, ideal for simple commands that produce small amounts of data and complete quickly. As the creator of CoreUI, a widely used open-source UI library, I’ve used exec for simple command execution in Node.js scripts throughout my 11 years of backend development. The most straightforward approach is using the exec method from the child_process module for quick shell commands that return limited output. This method buffers the entire output in memory, making it convenient for commands like git status or npm version.

Child processes enable Node.js applications to execute external commands, scripts, and programs in separate processes with proper resource isolation. As the creator of CoreUI, a widely used open-source UI library, I’ve implemented child process management in Node.js applications throughout my 11 years of backend development. The most versatile approach is using the child_process module’s spawn method for streaming output and flexible command execution. This method provides real-time output handling and better memory management for long-running processes.