How do I execute a simple express js script?

Question

I'm trying to execute a simple express script in javascript. Everytime I try I receive an error of "require is not defined". code snippets below... Thanks!

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

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
    res.send('An alligator approaches!');
});

app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Gator app listening on port 3000!'));

and the index.html file looks like such...

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
    <title>Page Title</title>
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">

    <script src="basic.js"></script>
</head>
<body>

</body>
</html>

You need to run it from the command like `node app.js`, then go to the browser http://localhost:3000 — Get Off My Lawn, May 11 '18 at 20:51
Express is a web server framework. What's your goal in trying to run it inside a web browser? — generalhenry, May 11 '18 at 20:52

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered May 11 '18 at 20:54

1

Hi as you may know NodeJS is a server side language so it cannot be understand by your browser.

Actually you have created an express server using NodeJS, so if you want to execute your server just run "node basic.js" in your terminal.

answered May 11 '18 at 20:54

nathanagez

36
1
6

I wasn't aware I needed to execute express via the command line. I was trying to execute via browser. Thanks for the quick response! – Rogue33 May 11 '18 at 21:18

How do I execute a simple express js script?

1 Answers1