req.method and req.url in Express - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Using req.method and req.url in Express

📖 Scenario: You are building a simple Express server that logs the HTTP method and URL of incoming requests. This helps you understand what requests your server receives.

🎯 Goal: Create an Express server that listens on port 3000 and logs the req.method and req.url for every request.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create an Express app using express()

Use app.use to add a middleware that logs req.method and req.url

Start the server listening on port 3000

Use exact variable names: app, req, res, next

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Logging request methods and URLs helps developers monitor and debug web servers by seeing what requests come in.

💼 Career

Understanding req.method and req.url is essential for backend developers working with Express to handle routing and middleware.

1

Setup Express app

Create a variable called express that requires the 'express' module. Then create a variable called app by calling express().

Express

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Use require('express') to import Express and then call it to create the app.

2

Add logging middleware

Use app.use to add a middleware function with parameters req, res, and next. Inside it, write a line that logs req.method and req.url using console.log. Then call next().

Express

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

// Add middleware to log req.method and req.url
app.use((req, res, next) => {
  // Your code here
});

Need a hint?

The middleware function receives req, res, and next. Use console.log(req.method, req.url) to log the method and URL.

3

Add a simple route

Add a GET route for path '/' using app.get. The handler function should take req and res and respond with res.send('Hello World').

Express

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

app.use((req, res, next) => {
  console.log(req.method, req.url);
  next();
});

// Add GET route for '/' here
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  // Your code here
});

Need a hint?

Use app.get to create a route for '/' that sends back 'Hello World'.

4

Start the server

Use app.listen to start the server on port 3000. The callback function should log 'Server running on port 3000'.

Express

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

app.use((req, res, next) => {
  console.log(req.method, req.url);
  next();
});

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello World');
});

// Start server on port 3000
app.listen(3000, () => {
  // Your code here
});

Need a hint?

Use app.listen(3000, () => { console.log(...) }) to start the server and log a message.