What is Express JS?
Express JS is a web application framework for Node.js. It is designed to make building web applications and APIs more streamlined and efficient. Express provides a robust set of features for web development, including routing, middleware support, and template engines.
Features of Express JS
- Routing: Express allows developers to define routes for handling different requests and directing them to the appropriate handler functions.
- Middleware support: Express provides middleware functions that can perform tasks such as logging, authentication, and error handling.
- Template engines: Express supports various template engines, such as Pug and EJS, for rendering dynamic content on the server side.
- Static file serving: Express can serve static files, such as images, CSS, and JavaScript files, to the client.
Getting started with Express JS
To get started with Express, you first need to install it using npm (Node Package Manager). You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:
npm install express
Once you have installed Express, you can create a new Express application by creating a new JavaScript file and importing the Express module:
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
You can then define routes and middleware functions for your application using the app object. For example, you can create a simple route that responds with ‘Hello, world!’:
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello, world!');
});
Finally, you can start your Express application by listening on a specific port:
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Express app running on port 3000');
});
Conclusion
Express JS is a powerful and versatile web application framework for Node.js. It provides a wide range of features that make building web applications and APIs easier and more efficient. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, Express can help you create robust and scalable web applications with ease.
