| API |
An API allows different applications to communicate with each other. In Express, APIs are used to handle requests from users and send responses back to them. |
| Backend |
The backend is the part of a web application that runs on a server. It processes user requests, connects to databases, and sends responses. Express is a tool used to build backend applications. |
| Middleware |
Middleware is a function that runs between a request being received and the response being sent. It can be used for tasks like checking user authentication, logging activity, or handling errors. |
| Routing |
Routing is how Express determines what should happen when a user visits a specific URL. |
| Static Files |
Static files are files like HTML, CSS, images, and JavaScript that don’t change and are sent directly to the user. Express can serve these files using express.static("public"). |
| Dynamic Files |
Dynamic files are files that change based on user input or other variables. These are often generated using a view engine like EJS or Pug, allowing for content updates without reloading the entire page. |
| EJS (Embedded JavaScript Templates) |
EJS is a templating engine that lets you embed JavaScript into HTML. It allows dynamic content rendering using <%= variable %> syntax. |
| Status Codes |
Status codes are numbers in HTTP responses that indicate whether a request was successful or not. |
| Error Handling |
Error handling is the process of catching and responding to errors in an Express app. A common way to handle errors is using middleware. |
| Server |
A computer program or device that provides a service to another computer program and its user, also known as the client |
| Hosting |
Hosting is the process of making your web application accessible on the internet by running it on a server. This can be done using a variety of free or paid services, each with its pros and cons. |
| Environment Variables |
Environment variables are used to configure settings for different environments (e.g., development, production). They can be set in a .env file and loaded using the dotenv package. |
| Deployment |
Deployment is the process of making an application available for use on a server. This can involve uploading code to a hosting service like Render, Heroku, or AWS. |
| Node.js |
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It allows you to run JavaScript on the server side. |
| Package Manager |
A package manager is a tool that automates the process of installing, updating, and managing software packages. npm (Node Package Manager) is commonly used with Node.js. |
| Version Control |
Version control is a system that records changes to files over time so that you can recall specific versions later. Git is a popular version control system. |
| Repository |
A repository is a storage location for software packages or code. It can be hosted on platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. |