# NodeJs Routing

How to set up basic Express web server under the node js and Exploring the Express router.

# Express Web Server Routing

Creating Express Web Server

Express server came handy and it deeps through many user and community. It is getting popular.

Lets create a Express Server. For Package Management and Flexibility for Dependency We will use NPM(Node Package Manager).

  • Go to the Project directory and create package.json file. ****package.json**** { "name": "expressRouter", "version": "0.0.1", "scripts": { "start": "node Server.js" }, "dependencies": { "express": "^4.12.3" } }

  • Save the file and install the express dependency using following command **npm install**. This will create node_modules in you project directory along with required dependency.
  • Let's create Express Web Server. Go to the Project directory and create server.js file. ****server.js****

    var express = require("express"); var app = express();

  • //Creating Router() object

    var router = express.Router();

    // Provide all routes here, this is for Home page.

    router.get("/",function(req,res){
    res.json({"message" : "Hello World"});
    
    

    });

    app.use("/api",router);

    // Listen to this Port

    app.listen(3000,function(){ console.log("Live at Port 3000"); });

    For more detail on setting node server you can see [here][1].
    
    
  • Run the server by typing following command. node server.js If Server runs successfully, you will se something like this.[this](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3ITls.png).
  • Now go to the browser or postman and made a request [http://localhost:3000/api/](http://localhost:3000/api/) The output will be [this](https://i.stack.imgur.com/9sCpz.png).
  • That is all, the basic of Express routing.

    Now let's handle the GET,POST etc.

    Change yous server.js file like

    var express = require("express");
    var app = express();
    
    //Creating Router() object
    
    var router = express.Router();
    
    // Router middleware, mentioned it before defining routes.
    
    router.use(function(req,res,next) {
      console.log("/" + req.method);
      next();
    });
    
    // Provide all routes here, this is for Home page.
    
    router.get("/",function(req,res){
      res.json({"message" : "Hello World"});
    });
    
    
    app.use("/api",router);
    
    
    app.listen(3000,function(){
      console.log("Live at Port 3000");
    });
    
    

    Now if you restart the server and made the request to

    http://localhost:3000/api/
    
    

    You Will see something like this (opens new window)

    Accessing Parameter in Routing

    You can access the parameter from url also, Like http://example.com/api/:name/ (opens new window). So name parameter can be access. Add the following code into your server.js

    router.get("/user/:id",function(req,res){
      res.json({"message" : "Hello "+req.params.id});
    });
    
    

    Now restart server and go to [http://localhost:3000/api/user/Adem][4] (opens new window), the output will be like this (opens new window).

    # Remarks

    At last, Using Express Router you can use routing facility in you application and it is easy to implement.