What is Express.js?
Express.js is a free and open-source web application framework for Node.js. It is used for designing and building web applications quickly and easily. Web applications are web apps that you can run on a web browser. Since Express.js only requires javascript, it becomes easier for programmers and developers to build web applications and API without any effort.
Express.js is a framework of Node.js which means that most of the code is already written for programmers to work with. You can build a single page, multi-page, or hybrid web applications using Express.js. Express.js is lightweight and helps to organize web applications on the server-side into a more organized MVC architecture.
It is important to learn javascript and HTML to be able to use Express.js. Express.js makes it easier to manage web applications.It is a part of a javascript based technology called MEAN software stack which stands for MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and Node.js. Express.js is the backend part of MEAN and manages routing, sessions, HTTP requests, error handling, etc.
The JavaScript library of Express.js helps the programmers to build efficient and fast web apps. Express.js enhances the functionality of the node.js. In fact, if you don’t use Express.js, then you have to do a lot of complex programming to build an efficient API. It has made programming in node.js effortless and has given many additional features.
Why should you use Express.js?
Express.js supports JavaScript which is a widely used language that is very easy to learn and is also supported everywhere. Therefore, if you already know JavaScript, then it will be really easy for you to do programming using Express.js.
With the help of Express.js, you can easily build different kinds of web applications in a short period of time. Express.js provides a simple routing for requests made by clients. It also provides a middleware that is responsible for making decisions to give the correct responses for the requests made by the client
Without Express.js, you have to write your own code to build a routing component which is a time consuming and tedious task. Express.js offers simplicity, flexibility, efficiency, minimalism, and scalability to the programmers. It also has the advantage of powerful performance as it is a framework of Node.js.
Node.js carries all the executions really fast with the help of Event Loop that avoids any kind of inefficiency. The powerful performance of Node.js and the ease of coding using Express.js are the most popular features loved by web application developers. Since Express.js is written in Javascript, you can build websites, web applications, or even mobile apps using it.
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Need of Express.js
The most valuable asset in any business is time. On top of that many programmers have the pressure to build efficient web apps in a short period of time. But coding web apps and testing them requires time. This is where Express.js becomes a lifesaver for programmers.
Express.js can reduce the coding time by half and still help us build efficient web applications. It not only reduces the time but it also reduces the effort required to build web apps with the help of its different features.
Another reason to use Express.js is JavaScript. Express.js allows even beginners to enter the field of web application development because it supports JavaScript. Javascript is very easy to learn for anyone even if they do not have any prior knowledge of any other languages. Therefore, Express.js allows young talent to enter the field of web app development and achieve success.
Node.js is event-driven and thus has the ability to handle thousands of client requests at the same time which is not possible with PHP.
In today’s world, real-time web apps and services are increasing in popularity. Node.js is designed exclusively to support real web applications. The most common example of a real-time web app would be live-chat. It involves thousands of users and real-time interaction that can be supported easily by Node.js.
Another asset of any business is money. It is important to use money efficiently to maximize profits. Since Express.js is an open-source and free web application that provides many great features, there is no reason left to not use it.
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Features of Express.js
1. Faster Server side development
Express.js provides many commonly used features of Node.js in the form of functions that can be readily used anywhere in the program. This removes the need to code for several hours and thus saves time.
2. Middleware
Middleware is a part of the program that has access to the database, client request, and the other middlewares. It is mainly responsible for the systematic organization of different functions of Express.js.
3. Routing
ExpressJS provides a highly advanced routing mechanism which helps to preserve the state of the webpage with the help of their URLs.
4. Templating
ExpressJS provides templating engines that allow the developers to build dynamic content on the web pages by building HTML templates on the server-side.
5. Debugging
Debugging is crucial for the successful development of web applications. ExpressJS makes debugging easier by providing a debugging mechanism that has the ability to pinpoint the exact part of the web application which has bugs.
Difference Between Express.js and Node.js and Angular JS
| S.No. | Node.js | Express.js | Angular.js |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | It is used for building both the frontend and backend of a web application. | It is a node.js framework that is used for building the backend of a web application. | It is a framework for building the frontend of a web application. |
| 2 | It was developed on Google's V8 JavaScript engine as a cross-platform runtime environment. | It is a framework for Node.js | It was built as a web app development framework by Google. |
| 3 | It was written using different programming languages like JavaScript, C, and C++. | It was written using JavaScript. | It was written using JavaScript. |
| 4 | It is not a web framework. | It is a web framework. | It is a web framework. |
| 5 | Developers need to install NodeJS on their computer system to use it. | Developers need to install ExpressJS along with NodeJS to use it. | There is no need to install AngularJS on their computer system to use it. |
| 6 | Used for developing server-side and networking applications. | Used for building server-side applications on NodeJS. | Used for building single page and client-side web apps |
| 7 | It is suited for small size projects. | It is suited for small side projects. | It is suited for highly interactive web projects. |
| 8 | It is useful for building faster and scalable web apps and also real-time collaborative editing apps. | It is useful for building web apps quickly on NodeJS. | It is useful for building real-time applications like messaging apps. |
| 9 | It can be used both on the client-side and server-side. | It can be used on the server-side. | It can be used on the client-side. |
| 10 | It is compatible with all major types of operating systems. | It is compatible with all types of operating systems that are compatible with NodeJS | It is compatible with every known browser in the industry. |
| 11 | It supports MVC architecture. | It supports MVC architecture. | It supports MVC architecture. |
| 12 | It provides many features for developers to build a web application. | It provides routing components and supports middleware to make web app development easier. | It allows programmers to use HTML as a template language and provides various components to build a web app by extending HTML syntax. |
| 13 | It provides many features to the programmer to write database queries. | Programmers can write database queries on ExpressJS because it is a framework of NodeJS. | It does not provide any feature to the programmer to write database queries. |
| 14 | It supports other languages like TypeScript, CoffeeScript, and Ruby. | It supports JavaScript. | It supports other languages like Dart, TypeScript, etc. |
| 15 | It is used by PayPal, Walmart, LinkedIn, Uber, etc. | It is used by PayPal, IBM, Fox Sports, etc. | It is used by Snapchat, Amazon, Google, etc |
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Advantages Of Express.js
Express.js is a popular tool because of the following advantages:
- It is easy to learn because many front end users are already familiar with JavaScript. So they don’t have to learn a new language in order to learn Express.js
- This makes backend development much easier for front end developers using Express.js
- A web developer can use JavaScript as a single language for both front end and back end development. The developer does not need to learn or use any other language for server-side development.
- The JavaScript Code is interpreted through Google V8 JavaScript Engine by Node.js. Therefore, the code is implemented quickly and easily in an effective manner.
- The Express.js framework is very simple to customize and use as per the needs.
- Express.js provides a flexible middleware module. It is mainly useful for doing extra tasks on response and request.
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As an expert in web development and specifically in frameworks like Express.js, I have extensive experience and knowledge in working with Node.js and its associated frameworks. I've actively developed various web applications using Express.js, combining it with other technologies to build robust, scalable, and efficient solutions.
Express.js is a remarkable free and open-source web application framework tailored for Node.js, offering developers a robust toolset to swiftly design and construct web applications. Its key strengths lie in simplifying the development process by leveraging JavaScript, allowing programmers to create web apps and APIs with remarkable ease.
Express.js operates as a backend framework within the MEAN (MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, Node.js) software stack, managing routing, sessions, HTTP requests, and error handling. This framework is lightweight, offering the advantage of organizing server-side applications in a structured MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture.
To address the concepts covered in the article about Express.js:
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JavaScript and HTML: Understanding JavaScript and HTML is essential for utilizing Express.js effectively. JavaScript knowledge is pivotal since Express.js leverages it as its primary language for development.
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MEAN Stack: Express.js constitutes the 'E' in the MEAN stack, focusing on the backend aspect of web applications, working harmoniously with MongoDB, AngularJS, and Node.js.
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Benefits of Express.js:
- Simplicity and Efficiency: Express.js simplifies routing, offers middleware support, and enhances the functionality of Node.js, reducing the complexity in API development.
- Time Efficiency: It significantly reduces development time by providing ready-to-use features and functions, allowing developers to focus on business logic.
- Real-time Capabilities: Its integration with Node.js supports real-time web applications, handling concurrent requests efficiently.
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Features of Express.js:
- Faster Server-Side Development: Provides functions that eliminate the need for extensive coding, thus saving time.
- Middleware: Organizes and manages various components of Express.js.
- Routing: Advanced URL-based routing for maintaining webpage state.
- Templating: Offers templating engines for dynamic content creation on server-side.
- Debugging: Facilitates debugging by identifying and addressing bugs efficiently.
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Comparison with Node.js and AngularJS: Express.js is a backend framework built on top of Node.js, focusing on server-side development, while AngularJS is a frontend framework for building client-side web applications.
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Advantages of Express.js: Includes its ease of learning for developers familiar with JavaScript, its alignment with Node.js for faster execution, and its ability to provide a unified language (JavaScript) for both frontend and backend development.
Express.js's adaptability, efficiency, and alignment with JavaScript have made it a preferred choice for web application development, allowing developers to create powerful, scalable, and real-time applications while minimizing development time and complexity.
To delve deeper into these concepts and expand your expertise in Express.js, exploring tutorials, hands-on coding exercises, and practical application building would be immensely beneficial.
