Basic Routing Fundamentals
Explore the fundamentals of routing in Express.js, including handling different HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. Understand how to define routes, use route handlers, and manage multiple handlers to build organized and maintainable server-side applications.
Routing determines how a web application handles incoming requests based on the requested URL and HTTP method. Think of it like a traffic system, directing users to the right destination. For example, when someone visits http://example.com/welcome, the application must decide whether to display a web page or return data.
In Express.js, a route defines how an application processes incoming requests. A route consists of three key parts:
Path (URL): This is the requested resource.
HTTP method: This specifies the type of request (
GET,POST,PUT, orDELETE) and the intended action (retrieving, creating, updating, or deleting data).Route handler: This function processes the request and sends a response.
Here is an example of a route that handles GET requests at the /welcome path and responds with 'Welcome to Express.js!'.
app.get('/welcome', (req, res) => {res.send('Welcome to Express.js routing!');});
Each route corresponds to an endpoint—a specific combination of a URL path and an HTTP method that clients use to interact with the application. An application typically includes multiple endpoints, each responsible for handling a specific task—like retrieving user profiles, submitting form data, or updating records in a database.
Understanding route handlers in Express.js
A route handler is a function that processes incoming requests and sends responses. ...