Introduction To Node Js
Introduction To Node Js
INTRODUCTION TO NPM
Certainly! npm, which stands for Node Package Manager, is an essential tool that comes with
Node.js. It is used to manage packages and dependencies for JavaScript projects. Here are
some key points about npm:
1. Package Management: npm allows developers to easily install, update, and manage
packages (libraries, frameworks, tools) that their projects depend on. This saves time and
effort compared to manually handling dependencies.
2. Vast Ecosystem: npm has a vast ecosystem of packages, with over a million packages
available in the npm registry. Developers can find almost any library or tool they need for
their projects, from simple utility functions to complex frameworks.
3. Easy Installation: With npm, you can quickly install packages using a simple command. For
example, to install the popular Express.js framework, you would run:
4. Version Control: npm allows developers to specify the versions of packages they want to
use, ensuring compatibility and stability. You can also update packages to newer versions
when needed.
5. Package.json: The package.json file is a central component of a Node.js project that
contains metadata about the project, including its dependencies. It is automatically created
and updated by npm.
7. Publishing Packages: Developers can publish their own packages to the npm registry,
making them available to the broader community. This fosters collaboration and sharing of
useful code.
8. CLI (Command Line Interface): npm provides a powerful CLI that offers various commands
to manage packages, run scripts, and perform other tasks. Some commonly used commands
include npm install
EXPRESS JS
Express.js, commonly known as Express, is a lightweight and flexible web application
framework for Node.js. It simplifies the process of building web applications and APIs by
providing a robust set of features and tools. Here are some key points about Express:
1. Minimal and Unopinionated:
• Express is minimalistic in nature, meaning it provides the essential tools to build web
applications without imposing a strict structure or convention.
• Developers have the freedom to structure their applications as they see fit.
2. Middleware:
• Express relies heavily on middleware functions, which are functions that have access
to the request object (req), the response object (res), and the next middleware
function in the application’s request-response cycle.
• Middleware can be used for tasks such as logging, authentication, error handling,
and more.
3. Routing:
• Express provides a simple and intuitive routing mechanism to define endpoints for
your web applications.
• Developers can create routes to handle different HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT,
DELETE, etc.) and define route parameters for dynamic content.
HTTP METHODS
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) methods are a set of request methods used by browsers
and servers to communicate. Each method has a specific purpose, and understanding them
is crucial for building web applications and APIs. Here are the main HTTP methods:
1. GET:
• Purpose: Retrieve data from a server.
• Use Case: When you want to request data from a server without modifying it.
• Example: Fetching a list of users or retrieving a specific user's profile.
2. POST:
• Purpose: Send data to a server to create a new resource.
• Use Case: When you want to submit data to the server, such as creating a new user
or posting a comment.
• Example: Submitting a registration form or uploading a file.
3. PUT:
• Purpose: Update an existing resource on the server.
• Use Case: When you want to update the entire resource with new data.
• Example: Updating a user's profile information.
4. PATCH:
• Purpose: Partially update an existing resource on the server.
• Use Case: When you want to update only a specific part of the resource.
• Example: Changing a user's email address without affecting other profile details.
5. DELETE:
• Purpose: Delete a resource from the server.
• Use Case: When you want to remove a resource.
• Example: Deleting a user's account or removing a specific comment.
MODULES IN NODE JS
Modules are a fundamental part of Node.js, allowing you to organize and reuse code. There
are two main ways to work with modules in Node.js:
1. Exporting Modules:
• In Node.js, you can export functions, objects, or values from a module so they can be
reused in other files.
• The most common way to export is by using module.exports or exports.
2. Requiring Modules:
• To use the exported functions or values from a module, you need to require the
module in your file.
• You can do this using the require function.
NODEMON
Nodemon is a handy tool for Node.js development that automatically restarts your
application when file changes in the directory are detected. This saves developers time and
effort by eliminating the need to manually restart the server every time changes are made to
the code. Just add start command to index.js file