Different ways to render static assets using express middleware

Question

Which of the following method is preferable to render the static assets. Consider that only helpPage.html is the only file exist in the public directory

Method 1:

app.use(express.static(__dirname + '/public'))

Method2:

app.use((req, res) => {
   res.render(__dirname + '/public/helpPage.html');
})

This question is answered [here](https://stackoverflow.com/a/17911882/5200242). — Seth Bergman, May 24 '18 at 21:03

Noah Rose Ledesma · Answer 1 · 2018-05-24T20:58:36.220

0

If helpPage.html is the only static file you will deliver, I propose a third option:

app.get('/helpPage.html', (req, res)=>{
    res.sendFile( __dirname + '/public/helpPage.html');
});

I don't see the purpose of using app.use here.

Additionally you may want to use path.join:

const path = require('path');
app.get('/helpPage.html', (req, res)=>{
    res.sendFile( path.join(__dirname, '/public/helpPage.html') );
});

This ensures that the paths are properly joined regardless of what machine you are running on.

edited May 24 '18 at 20:58

answered May 24 '18 at 20:51

Noah Rose Ledesma

321
2
10

Personally I would use `res.sendFile` rather than `res.render` here. Otherwise I agree – JSilv May 24 '18 at 20:56
I went back and checked the api documentation. I agree, sendFile is better suited for this instance – Noah Rose Ledesma May 24 '18 at 20:58

Different ways to render static assets using express middleware

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