This is a supplementary exercise to an introductory backend engineering lecture at the University of Indonesia.

Let’s Make a Backend Application!

In this exercise, we’re going to create a backend application using Express, which is a web application framework that runs on Node.js.

You can see an example of the application here.

Prerequisites:

  • Install npm on your device.
  • Install any code editor such as Visual Studio Code.
  • An internet connection.

1. Create a project folder

mkdir my-backend-app

Enter your folder

cd my-backend-app

2. Install express

npm install express --save

3. Create an index.js file with the following contents

const express = require("express");
const app = express();
const port = 3000;

app.get("/", (req, res) => {
  res.send({
    message: "success",
  });
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Example app listening on port ${port}`);
});

4. Run your application

node index.js

Your backend application is running 🥳

5. Create a GET request to your backend application

Run this in your terminal

curl http://localhost:3000

Or…

Open your browser (e.g. Google Chrome) and open http://localhost:3000.

You should get the following response

{
  "message": "success"
}

Example Result

Hooray! From now on, you are a certified backend engineer! 💪

References

Express.js. (n.d.). Express - Node.js web application framework. https://expressjs.com/