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How to Set Up Node.js using VS Code

Introduction

 
Let's get started by creating the simplest Node.js Express application, "Let's Start with Node.js".
 

Why Node.js?

  • Node.js is free.
  • Node.js  Platform independent
  • Node.js Uses asynchronous programming. 
Download the Node.js source code or a pre-built installer for your platform.
 
https://nodejs.org/en/download/
 
Create an empty folder called "MyFirstProject" or any name as you wish.
 
Open Command Prompt-> Go To MyFirstProject by command cd like 
D:\Workspace\Clients\dev-parveen\node_projects>cd MyFirstProject
 
Then follow the npm command as,
 
D:\Workspace\Clients\dev-parveen\node_projects\MyFirstProject>npm init
D:\Workspace\Clients\dev-parveen\node_projects\MyFirstProject>npm init ->Press Enter
 
npm init <initializer> can be used to set up a new or existing npm package or you can simply Google exactly what they do.
 
After pressing enter key it will ask for package name and other setup details as follows:
 
package name: (myfirstproject) pkgnode  ("pkgnode" is a name of package given by me or you can give it as you wish). => Press enter key to continue 
 
version: (1.0.0) 1.0.0 (Set project version as you wish). => Press enter to continue 
 
description: This is my first node project. => Press enter to continue
 
entry point: (index.js) app.js ("app.js" is a name of start-up file or you can give it as you wish). => Press enter to continue
 
test command:  it is optional or or can specify test command, the command that is run whenever you call npm test. => Press enter key to continue.
 
git repository: git repo / it is optional =>press enter key to continue.
 
keywords: optional  => Press enter =>Press enter key to continue.
 
author: Parveen =>(Optional) Press enter key to continue.
 
license: (ISC) =>(Optional), default set ISC, Press enter key to continue.
 
image1
Figure: NPM init Node.js
 
After completion of npm init step, package.json file is added to your project, you can check in your project directory display as: 
 
image12
 
Figure: Displaying package.json added to project.
 
Here I am using VSCode editor; open your project in it. 
 
image3
 
In VSCode, add a Java script file namely app.js and write code,
 
image14
 
We are going to create express application using Node.js. Let’s install the express to your project. So now let’s open VSCode PowerShell command terminal:
 
Go To Menu bar => Terminal => New Terminal
 
image5
 
 
Now install the express using npm: npm –i express ↵ 
 
image6
 
It will install the express module to your project and you can check package.json file in your project and can see express package detail.  
 
image7
 
Now write the following code sample to your app.js file,
  1. const express = require('express');  
  2. const app = express();  
  3. const port = 3000;  
  4. app.get('/', (req, res) => res.send('Welcome To Nodejs!'));  
  5. app.listen(3000, () => console.log(`Example app listening on port ${port}!`));   
image8
 
Now run the Node.js app using NPM start or node app.js in terminal
 
image9
 
You have successfully created your first Node app. Don’t stop here, keep exploring the wonderful world of Node.js, as it has much more to offer.
 
image10
 
This app starts a server and listens on port 3000 for connections. The app responds with “Let's Start with Node.js” for requests to the root URL (/) or route. For every other path, it will respond with a 404 Not Found. 


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