Creating and Running an Express.js Project

What is Express.js?

Express.js is a fast, open, and minimalist web application framework based on Node.js. It offers a range of powerful features for building single-page, multi-page, and hybrid web applications. Express.js is one of the most popular frameworks in the Node.js ecosystem, loved by developers for its simplicity and flexibility.

Main Features and Advantages of Express.js

• Simplicity and Flexibility: Express.js provides a simple API and a flexible middleware mechanism, making web application development very efficient.
• Middleware: Supports various middleware, allowing easy handling of requests and responses.
• Routing: Powerful routing capabilities to handle requests based on different HTTP methods and URL paths.
• High Integration: Can seamlessly integrate with various template engines, databases, and other Node.js modules.
• Community and Ecosystem: Boasts a large community and extensive support for third-party middleware and plugins.

Using Express.js can help developers quickly build high-performance web applications and APIs.

Creating and Running an Express.js Project with ServBay

In this article, we will use the Node.js environment provided by ServBay to create and run an Express.js project. We will leverage ServBay's "Hosting" feature to set up the web server and use a reverse proxy to access the project.

Creating an Express.js Project

1. Initialize the Project

   First, ensure you have installed the Node.js environment provided by ServBay. Then, use the following commands to initialize a new Express.js project:

   cd /Applications/ServBay/www
   npx express-generator servbay-express-app

2. Install Dependencies

   Enter the project directory and install the dependencies:

   cd servbay-express-app
   npm install

Modifying Express.js Project Output

1. Edit the routes/index.js File

   Open the routes/index.js file and modify the content to output "Hello ServBay!":

   var express = require('express');
   var router = express.Router();
   
   /* GET home page. */
   router.get('/', function(req, res, next) {
     res.send('Hello ServBay!');
   });
   
   module.exports = router;

Entering Development Mode

1. Run Development Server

   Start the development server and specify the port (e.g.: 8585):

   PORT=8585 DEBUG=servbay-express-app:* npm start

   This will start a local development server and expose port 8585.

2. Configure ServBay Host for Reverse Proxy

   Use ServBay's "Hosting" feature to access the development server through a reverse proxy. In ServBay's Host settings, add a new reverse proxy:

   • Name: My first Express.js dev site
   • Domain: servbay-express-test.dev
   • Host Type: Reverse Proxy
   • IP: 127.0.0.1
   • Port: 8585

   For detailed setup steps, refer to Adding a Nodejs Development Website.

3. Access Development Mode

   Open your browser and visit https://servbay-express-test.dev to view the project in real-time. With ServBay's support for custom domains and free SSL certificates, you will benefit from higher security.

Deploying Production Version

1. Prepare Production Environment

   Ensure your project can run properly in a production environment. Typically, Express.js projects do not require special build steps, but you may need to set environment variables or configure other settings.

2. Run Production Server

   Start the production server and specify the port (e.g.: 8586):

   PORT=8586 NODE_ENV=production npm start

3. Configure ServBay Host for Reverse Proxy

   Use ServBay's "Hosting" feature to access the production server through a reverse proxy. In ServBay's Host settings, add a new reverse proxy:

   • Name: My first Express.js production site
   • Domain: servbay-express-test.prod
   • Host Type: Reverse Proxy
   • IP: 127.0.0.1
   • Port: 8586

4. Access Production Mode

   Open your browser and visit https://servbay-express-test.prod to view the production version. With ServBay's custom domain and free SSL certificate, your website will have higher security and credibility.

Database Connection

ServBay provides support for Redis, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB databases. Here are examples of how to connect to these databases.

1. Connecting to MongoDB

   Install mongoose:

   npm install mongoose

   Then import and connect in your project:

   var mongoose = require('mongoose');
   
   mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost/servbay-express-app', { useNewUrlParser: true, useUnifiedTopology: true });

2. Connecting to Redis

   Install redis:

   npm install redis

   Then import and connect in your project:

   var redis = require('redis');
   var client = redis.createClient();
   
   client.on('error', function (err) {
     console.log('Error ' + err);
   });

3. Connecting to MariaDB

   Install mariadb:

   npm install mariadb

   Then import and connect in your project:

   var mariadb = require('mariadb');
   var pool = mariadb.createPool({
     host: 'localhost', 
     user: 'root', 
     password: 'password',
     database: 'servbay_express_app'
   });
   
   pool.getConnection()
     .then(conn => {
       console.log("Connected to MariaDB");
       conn.release(); //release to pool
     })
     .catch(err => {
       console.log("Not connected due to error: " + err);
     });

4. Connecting to PostgreSQL

   Install pg:

   npm install pg

   Then import and connect in your project:

   var { Pool } = require('pg');
   var pool = new Pool({
     user: 'user',
     host: 'localhost',
     database: 'servbay_express_app',
     password: 'password',
     port: 5432,
   });
   
   pool.connect((err, client, done) => {
     if (err) throw err;
     console.log('Connected to PostgreSQL');
     done();
   });

By following the above steps, you have successfully created and run an Express.js project, used ServBay's features to manage and access your project, and connected to various databases.