Express

Node.js Express

Using Express Framework

Node.js Express framework simplifies routing and middleware for APIs.

Introduction to Node.js Express

Node.js Express is a web application framework that provides a robust set of features for building web and mobile applications. It simplifies the process of setting up routing and middleware for APIs, making it a popular choice among developers. Its minimalist and flexible nature allows for the creation of scalable web applications.

Setting Up an Express Application

To get started with Express, you need to have Node.js installed on your machine. Once Node.js is ready, you can create a new project and install Express:

After setting up your project, you can create a basic server using Express. Here's a simple example to get your server up and running:

Understanding Middleware

Middleware functions are functions that have access to the request object (req), the response object (res), and the next middleware function in the application’s request-response cycle. These functions can execute code, make changes to the request and response objects, end the request-response cycle, and call the next middleware function in the stack.

Here’s a simple example of a middleware function:

Routing in Express

Express provides a robust routing system that lets you define routes for different HTTP methods and URL paths. You can use the app.get(), app.post(), app.put(), and app.delete() methods to define routes for your application. Here is an example of routing in Express:

Conclusion

Node.js Express is a powerful tool for building APIs and web applications. By understanding its core features like routing and middleware, you can create scalable and efficient server-side applications. As you continue to explore Express, you'll discover more advanced features and patterns that can further simplify your development process.