Node.js is a powerful JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine, enabling developers to leverage JavaScript for server-side programming. This marks a significant shift in how web applications are developed, allowing JavaScript to run outside the browser. One of the core features of Node.js is its non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which is perfect for building scalable and efficient applications. As applications grow, understanding how to utilize Node.js effectively becomes imperative for developers looking to enhance performance and streamline their workflow.

At its core, Node.js utilizes an architecture that supports asynchronous programming, allowing multiple operations to occur simultaneously without waiting for previous ones to complete. This is particularly useful in scenarios where high performance is essential, such as in real-time web applications, chat applications, or APIs that handle numerous requests. By mastering the foundations of Node.js, developers can create applications that not only meet but exceed user expectations in terms of speed and responsiveness, making it a vital skill in today's web development landscape.

Node.js has become a popular choice for developers looking to build robust applications due to its non-blocking architecture and efficiency in handling I/O operations. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Node.js frameworks that can greatly enhance your development process. These frameworks provide various features and benefits, making it easier to create scalable web applications. Here is our list:

1. Express.js - A minimal and flexible framework that provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications.
2. Koa.js - Developed by the creators of Express, Koa aims to be a smaller, more expressive, and more robust foundation for web applications.
3. NestJS - A progressive Node.js framework that uses TypeScript and is designed for building efficient and scalable server-side applications.
4. Hapi.js - Known for its powerful configuration options, Hapi is great for building applications and services that require robust API development.
5. Sails.js - A framework for building Node.js applications that follows the MVC pattern, ideal for developing data-driven APIs.
6. Fastify - A high-performance framework that focuses on speed and low overhead, making it suitable for building fast and scalable applications.
7. Meteor.js - A full-stack platform that allows developers to create real-time applications in a fraction of the time.
8. Socket.io - Although primarily a library for real-time communication, it provides the tools needed for building real-time applications easily.
9. LoopBack - A powerful framework for building APIs and connecting to back-end data sources with ease.
10. Feathers.js - A framework for creating real-time applications and REST APIs using JavaScript or TypeScript.

Node.js has transformed the way developers build applications using JavaScript on the server side. One common question is, 'What is Node.js?' Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows you to execute JavaScript code outside of a web browser. This enables developers to create scalable network applications, thanks to its non-blocking I/O model. Whether you’re building APIs, web servers, or real-time applications, Node.js is a versatile choice that addresses many programming challenges. 

Another frequent inquiry is, 'How do I get started with Node.js?' To kick off, you should first install Node.js from the official website. After installation, you can verify it by running node -v in your terminal to check the version. Once set up, you can create your first Node.js application by creating a simple server.js file:

const http = require('http');
const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
const port = 3000;

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.statusCode = 200;
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  res.end('Hello World\n');
});

server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
});