Routing requests manually in Node.js - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does routing requests manually mean in Node.js?

It means writing code to check the URL and HTTP method of incoming requests and then deciding what response to send back, without using any routing libraries.

beginner

Which Node.js module is commonly used to create a server for manual routing?

The built-in http module is used to create a server that listens for requests and allows manual routing by inspecting the request URL and method.

beginner

How do you check the URL path of a request in manual routing?

You use req.url to get the path and then compare it with strings like '/' or '/about' to decide what to do.

intermediate

Why is it important to check the HTTP method (GET, POST, etc.) in manual routing?

Because the same URL can have different actions depending on the method. For example, GET /users might fetch users, while POST /users might add a new user.

beginner

What is a simple way to send a response back to the client in manual routing?

Use res.writeHead() to set status and headers, then res.end() to send the response body and finish the request.

Which Node.js property holds the URL path of an incoming request?

A res.path

B res.url

C req.path

D req.url

req.url contains the URL path of the request.

What Node.js module do you use to create a server for manual routing?

A path

B fs

C http

D url

The http module creates servers that handle requests.

Why check the HTTP method in routing?

A To know what action to perform for the same URL

B To get the client's IP address

C To set cookies

D To close the connection

The method tells if the request is to get data, send data, update, or delete.

Which method sends the response body and ends the response?

A res.end()

B res.write()

C res.send()

D res.close()

res.end() sends the response and closes the connection.

What is the first step in manual routing inside the server callback?

A Send a response immediately

B Check <code>req.url</code> and <code>req.method</code>

C Close the server

D Import a routing library

You must check the URL and method to decide how to respond.

Explain how you would handle a GET request to '/' and a POST request to '/submit' manually in Node.js.

Think about checking URL and method inside the server callback.

Describe why manual routing might be harder than using a routing library and when it could still be useful.

Consider pros and cons of manual vs library routing.