Getting Started with Express.js

Back to Express.js
Arjit Sharma
01 Min

In this article, we will learn how to set up a basic Express.js server step by step.

Step 1 - Setting up Project

mkdir express-app
cd express-app
npm init -y

This creates a package.json file to manage project metadata and dependencies

Step 2 - Install Express

npm install express

Express and its dependencies are installed inside the node_modules folder

Step 3 - Basic Server

// server.js
const express = require("express");
const app = express(); 
const port = 3000;

// Define a basic route that responds to HTTP GET request
// req represents the incoming request, while res is used to send the response back to the client.
app.get("/", (req, res) => {
    res.send("Hello, Express!");
    // Alternatively: res.json({ message: "API working" });
});

// Start the server
app.listen(port, () => {
    console.log(`Server running at http://localhost:${port}`);
});

Here’s what’s happening:

  • express() creates an application instance.
  • app.get() defines a route that responds to HTTP GET requests.
  • req represents the incoming request, while res is used to send a response back to the client.
  • app.listen() starts the server on the specified port.

Step 4 - Run the Server

node server.js

Open http://localhost:3000/ in your browser, and you should see “Hello, Express!” displayed.

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