Module 1 Lesson 1: What is n8n?
Enter the world of low-code. Learn what n8n is, how it differs from Zapier, and why it's the preferred choice for engineers who want total control over their data.
Module 1 Lesson 1: What is n8n?
Automation is the art of making computers do your "Boring Work." You've likely heard of Zapier or Make. n8n (pronounced n-eight-n) is their more powerful, extensible, and self-hostable cousin.
1. The "Fair-Code" Philosophy
n8n is "Fair-Code." This means:
- Transparency: You can see all the source code.
- Self-Hostable: You can run it on your own server (or your laptop) for free.
- Privacy: Unlike cloud-only tools, your data never has to leave your firewall.
2. n8n vs. Zapier
| Feature | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Logic | Simple (Linear) | Complex (Branching) |
| Price | Per Execution (Expensive) | Free (Self-hosted) |
| Data Privacy | Cloud Only | You control the server |
| Extensibility | Limited | JavaScript-ready |
3. How n8n Works
Everything in n8n is a Workflow. A workflow consists of Nodes connected by Lines.
- Trigger Node: The "Event" that starts the workflow (e.g., a new email, a webhook, or a schedule).
- Regular Node: The "Action" or "Transformation" (e.g., getting a row from a Google Sheet, resizing an image, or sending a Slack message).
4. Why Engineers Love n8n
n8n is built for people who know how to code but don't want to write "Glitchy" custom scripts for every single integration.
- You get the speed of "Drag-and-Drop."
- You get the power of "Scripting" (every node can be customized with JavaScript).
Exercise: The Automation Audit
- Name 3 tasks you do every day that are "Repetitive" (e.g., moving data from a form to a spreadsheet).
- If you use a tool like Zapier and it runs 10,000 times a month, how much would that cost? (Research: Zapier pricing).
- Why is "Self-hosting" essential for a company that handles medical records or bank details?
- Research: What does the name "n8n" stand for? (Hint: It's an Numeronym for "Nodation").
Summary
n8n is the "Swiss Army Knife" of the automation world. By learning n8n, you gain the power to connect thousands of apps together without being "Locked in" to a subscription or losing control of your data.
Next Lesson: The different ways to use n8n: Cloud vs. Self-Hosted.