#7: Introduction to Express.js | Creating a Server & Basics

Node.js is a popular open-source JavaScript runtime that allows developers to build scalable and fast network applications. In this article, we will focus on one of the most popular frameworks for Node.js, Express.js. We will go over the basics of creating a server using Express.js and discuss some key concepts of backend development.

What is Express.js?

Express is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features to develop web and mobile applications. It is designed to provide a simple way to build web applications and APIs.

Creating a Server with Express.js

First, you will need to install Express.js using npm:


$ npm install express


Once you have Express installed, you can create a simple server using the following code:


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

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

app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server running on port 3000');
});


With just a few lines of code, you have created a basic server that listens for requests on port 3000 and responds with “Hello, world!” when accessing the root route.

Basics of Backend Development

Backend development involves writing code that runs on the server and is responsible for managing and processing data. This includes handling requests, interacting with databases, and performing business logic. With Express.js, you can easily build APIs and web servers to handle incoming requests and serve responses.

Conclusion

Express.js is a powerful and versatile framework for Node.js that simplifies the process of building web applications and APIs. In this article, we covered the basics of creating a server with Express.js and touched on some fundamental concepts of backend development. Stay tuned for more in-depth tutorials on Express.js and backend development!