Getting Started with Node.js and Express

Node.js has become one of the most popular JavaScript runtimes for building server-side applications. In this post, we'll explore the basics of getting started with Express, a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework.

Why Node.js?

Node.js provides several advantages for web development:

• Fast Execution: Built on Chrome's V8 engine
• Non-blocking I/O: Handle multiple requests efficiently
• JavaScript Everywhere: Use the same language for frontend and backend
• Large Ecosystem: Thousands of packages via npm

Setting Up Express

Here's how to create a simple Express server:

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Key Concepts

Routing

Express makes it easy to define routes for different HTTP methods:
• `app.get()` - Handle GET requests
• `app.post()` - Handle POST requests
• `app.put()` - Handle PUT requests
• `app.delete()` - Handle DELETE requests

Middleware

Middleware functions are powerful tools for processing requests:

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Conclusion

Node.js and Express provide a lightweight yet powerful foundation for building web applications. Start small, experiment, and gradually expand your knowledge.

Happy coding!