Web Server & REST API Using Only Node

Learning about the world of JavaScript can be incredibly daunting.
Learning NodeJS is even worse.

So I decided to write a basic web server and REST API using only Node. No express, no pug, no MongoDB, nothing.

My aim was to understand what Node had to offer on its own, and do my best to create a standard web API using just that. I figured somewhere along the way I'd understand why all of these extra modules are so nice to have.

And indeed I did.

Lessons Learned

Route parsing is a bitch using only the basic modules.

Next iteration of this project will include Express for it's excellent route parsing and middleware options.

Project Iterations

1. node-only-server
2. node-express-server
3. node-express-pug-server
4. node-express-pug-mongo-server

Features

This simple web application tracks weight measurements. It implements the following HTTP methods:

• GET
• POST
• PATCH
• DELETE

It also offers one page, the index, which shows the current weight entries.

Usage

First, clone down the repository. Next, run the following command from inside the directory:

npm start or node server

In order to access the index page, navigate to localhost:3000 in your browser.

REST API

Use your favorite REST client, mine is Postman, to send requests to the server.

Retrieve Weight Entries

GET /api/weight

Add Weight Entry

POST /api/weight  
Parameters: { "date": "2017-05-17", "weight": 180 }

Update Weight Entry

PATCH /api/weight/:date  
Parameters: { "weight": 180 }

Remove Weight Entry

DELETE /api/weight/:date