Introduction

Creating a server with Node.js and Express is an essential skill for any web developer. With its non-blocking nature, Node.js is perfect for building scalable applications. In this guide, we will walk through the entire process of setting up a basic server, defining routes, and creating API endpoints using Express.js. We will cover everything from project structure to deploying the server.

Step 1: Setting Up the Environment

First, you need to install Node.js. Visit the official Node.js website, and download the LTS version. Once installed, verify the installation by running the following command in your terminal:

node -v

This should display the version of Node.js you have installed.

Step 2: Project Initialization

Now, let’s create a new project folder for our server. Open your terminal and execute the following commands:

mkdir myNodeServer
cd myNodeServer
npm init -y

This initializes a new Node.js project and creates a package.json file.

Step 3: Installing Express

Next, we need to install Express, which is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework. Run the command below in your project directory:

npm install express

This will add Express to your project.

Step 4: Project Structure

Organizing your code is crucial for maintainability. Create a folder named src in your project directory, and inside that, create an index.js file:

mkdir src
cd src
touch index.js

Your directory structure should look like this:

• myNodeServer
  • src
    • index.js

Step 5: Creating a Basic Server

Open the index.js file in your text editor and add the following code:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const PORT = 3000;

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
    res.send('Hello World!');
});

app.listen(PORT, () => {
    console.log(`Server running at http://localhost:${PORT}`);
});

This code initializes an Express application and sets up a route that responds with “Hello World!”.

Step 6: Testing the Server

Run the server by executing the following command in your terminal:

node src/index.js

Open your web browser and go to http://localhost:3000. You should see the message “Hello World!” displayed!

Step 7: Creating API Endpoints

Let’s create more routes to demonstrate how to create RESTful API endpoints. Modify the index.js file as follows:

app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
    res.json([{ id: 1, name: 'John Doe' }, { id: 2, name: 'Jane Doe' }]);
});

This code creates a new endpoint /api/users that returns a JSON array of user objects.

Step 8: Running and Testing Your API

Go back to your browser and visit http://localhost:3000/api/users. You should receive a response with JSON data containing user information!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully set up a server with Node.js and Express. You learned how to create routes and API endpoints, allowing you to build more complex applications in the future. Now, it’s time to explore more advanced features and integrations!

For more information on how to deploy your Node.js application, check this guide on deployment and step-by-step tutorial.