Exploring the Request-Response Cycle in Express.js
Explore the fundamental request-response cycle in Express.js, focusing on the req and res objects. Understand how to access request details and send responses using various methods. This lesson helps you build a basic greeting API using query parameters to personalize responses, giving you a solid foundation for Express server handling.
In web development, the request-response cycle is fundamental to how servers and clients communicate. Every time a user interacts with a website—whether by clicking a link, submitting a form, or making an API request—a request is sent to the server, and the server processes it before responding.
In this lesson, we’ll explore how Express.js handles this cycle, introduce key request and response objects, and implement a basic greeting API to apply our understanding.
The request-response cycle in Express.js
Express.js acts as an intermediary between the client and the server, handling incoming requests and determining the appropriate response. The cycle follows the steps below:
A client (browser or API consumer) requests HTTP.
Express.js receives the request and processes it.
The server performs necessary operations (e.g., retrieving data and executing logic).
A response is generated and sent back to the client.
This cycle is the backbone of all Express.js applications.
Exploring the request object (req)
Every incoming HTTP ...