Part 2: Process Managers - Keeping Your App Alive with PM2

The text explains how to keep a Node.js application running reliably on a server, moving beyond basic manual deployment. The problem addressed is that processes can crash or fail. PM2, a process manager, is introduced as a solution to automatically restart applications, survive reboots, and manage logs. Installation and basic usage of PM2 are shown, including starting and monitoring applications. Configuration files (ecosystem files) are recommended for defining services, environment variables, and resource limits. Testing auto-restart and steps to ensure applications restart after a server reboot are demonstrated. The text outlines how to manage and monitor applications with PM2, including logs and resource usage. Cluster mode for load balancing is introduced as a bonus feature. The benefits and limitations of PM2 are summarized, acknowledging that it improves process management but doesn't solve dependency or scaling issues. Several tips for using PM2 effectively, including memory limits and log separation, are presented. Finally, the text sets the stage for the next topic, Docker, which will be used to address environment consistency and further scalability.