How to easily create a custom API using Express JS PART-02

In our previous article, we learned how to get started with creating a custom API using Express JS. Now, let’s dive deeper into the process and learn how to easily create a custom API using Express JS.

Step 1: Set up the project

First, make sure you have Node.js and npm installed on your machine. Then, create a new directory for your project and navigate to it in your terminal. Use the following command to initialize a new Node.js project:

      
        npm init -y
      
    

Step 2: Install Express JS

Next, install Express JS as a dependency for your project. Use the following command in your terminal:

      
        npm install express
      
    

Step 3: Create the API endpoints

Now, create a new file for your API and define your endpoints using Express JS. Here’s an example of how you can create a simple API with two endpoints:

      
        const express = require('express');
        const app = express();
        
        app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
          // logic to retrieve and return a list of users
        });
        
        app.post('/api/users', (req, res) => {
          // logic to create a new user
        });
        
        app.listen(3000, () => {
          console.log('Server is running on port 3000');
        });
      
    

Step 4: Test the API endpoints

Finally, test your API endpoints to ensure they are working as expected. You can use tools like Postman or curl to send requests to your API and verify the responses.

Conclusion

Creating a custom API using Express JS is a straightforward process, and with the right tools and knowledge, you can easily build powerful and scalable APIs for your applications. We hope this article has helped you understand how to create a custom API using Express JS.