How to easily create a custom API using Express JS PART-01

Creating a custom API using Express JS can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the framework. However, with the right guidance and knowledge, it can be a relatively straightforward process. In this article, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to easily create a custom API using Express JS.

Step 1: Install Node.js and Express.js

Before you can start creating your custom API, you’ll need to have Node.js and Express.js installed on your machine. You can download and install Node.js from the official website, and then use npm to install Express.js by running the following command:

npm install express

Step 2: Set up your project

Once you have Node.js and Express.js installed, you can start setting up your project. Create a new directory for your project and navigate to it in your terminal. Then, run the following command to create a new package.json file:

npm init -y

Step 3: Create your API

Now that your project is set up, you can start creating your custom API. Create a new file called app.js in your project directory, and add the following code to it to create a simple API that returns a “Hello, World!” message:

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');
});
  

Step 4: Test your API

Finally, you can test your custom API by running the following command in your terminal:

node app.js

Once your server is running, open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000. You should see the “Hello, World!” message displayed on the page, indicating that your API is working correctly.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a custom API using Express JS. In the next part of this series, we’ll dive deeper into creating more complex APIs with Express JS. Stay tuned!