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I'm new in node.js I want to create a simple express.js static file server, but I have some issues. I have been installed express.js 4.2 globally like this:

npm install  -g express-generator

I have this code in httpsrv.js:

var http = require('http');
var express = require('express');
var app = express();

app.use('/', express.static(__dirname + '/public'));
app.listen(3000, function() { console.log('listening')});

I'm not sure is it ok I guess it is not enough, but I cant run it it's failed with error: cannot find module 'express'.

I want to create a simple http server which can serve from specific folder("\public" e.g.) and I'm using .html language. I found on the internet a many bullshit, I don't want to use this .jade thing and I don't want to create a empty web app with express etc. I want express.js http server which can operate like Apache and can serve a static html pages first from a specified folder. Can anybody help me on this, suggest a good article which is explain a step by step, because I'm beginner.

Zsoca
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    Have you followed the steps here: http://expressjs.com/guide.html – Mike Robinson Jul 01 '14 at 19:22
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    I don't think express-generator is what you need installed, you should run npm install -g express, and than try loading it. – Stevo Perisic Jul 01 '14 at 19:23
  • I also have installed express 4.2, but I have been read express 4.x need this express-generator also. – Zsoca Jul 01 '14 at 19:36
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    ...where did that `httpsrv.js` come from? It doesn't follow express 4.x conventions. It looks like it is from an older 3.x example. The express generator creates `app.js` that exports much of what is needed and `npm start` launches the server. It doesn't look like you used the generator or you used it and...ignored the output? – Matthew Bakaitis Jul 01 '14 at 20:13

3 Answers3

22

If you're just trying to serve static files from a directory called "public", you might have luck with an app like this:

var path = require('path');
var express = require('express');

var app = express();

var staticPath = path.join(__dirname, '/public');
app.use(express.static(staticPath));

app.listen(3000, function() {
  console.log('listening');
});

You'll need to make sure Express is installed. You'll probably run npm install express --save in the same directory as the above JavaScript file. Once you're all ready, you'll run node the_name_of_the_file_above.js to start your server.

Evan Hahn
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11

first install express module inspite of express-generator

npm install express

try this removing public 

var express = require('express');
var app = express();

app.use('/', express.static(__dirname));
app.listen(3000, function() { console.log('listening')});

it is working fine.

ashishkumar148
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1

This problem shouldn't even need any code or frameworks; install http-server from npm, navigate to the folder in the command prompt and run this command:

http-server

And it will spin up a lightweight http server and serve static content up from the folder immediately which can be viewed using http://localhost

garryp
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  • you are not even answering the question. – gaitat Mar 08 '17 at 15:24
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    His/her requirement was to set up a simple server to serve static pages from a folder; this package does exactly that. You don't need to use a framework like Express for this purpose. – garryp Mar 08 '17 at 15:57