Node Web Development

David Herron

• Publisher: Packt Publishing
• Year: 2011
• eBook ISBN: 9781849515146
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Application Development
• Index: Computer Science

In Detail

Node is an exciting new technology stack that brings JavaScript to the server-side of web applications for the first time. Node means that JavaScript is no longer just for browsers. It's for web application development, it's for developing any internet protocol, it's for the real-time web, it's for command line scripts, and much more.

Node Web Development gives you an excellent starting point straight into the heart of developing server side web applications with node. You will learn, through practical examples, how to use the HTTP Server and Client objects, the Connect and Express application frameworks, the algorithms for asynchronous execution, and use both SQL and MongoDB databases.

This book is the ideal companion for getting started with Node. Starting with practical advice on installing Node for both development and application deployment, you will learn how to develop both HTTP Server and Client applications. Many different ways of working with Node are shown, including using database storage engines in applications and developing websites both with and without the Connect/Express web application framework. You will also get an introduction to Node's CommonJS module system allowing you to implement an important subset of object-oriented design.

Approach

This book is a practical introduction to learning about Node. Each chapter introduces you to a different area of Node, using screenshots and examples to get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Who this book is for

If you are a developer who wants to use JavaScript on the server side in order to build quicker, higher performing web applications, then this book is for you. It is recommended that you should have at least a rudimentary understanding of JavaScript and web application development.

Node Web Development

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Table of Contents

Node Web Development

Credits

About the Author

Acknowledgement

About the Reviewers

www.PacktPub.com

Support files, eBooks, discount offers and more

Why Subscribe?

Free Access for Packt account holders

Preface

What this book covers

What you need for this book

Who this book is for

Conventions

Reader feedback

Customer support

Downloading the example code

Errata

Piracy

Questions

1. What is Node?

What can you do with Node?

Server-side JavaScript

Why should you use Node?

Architecture: Threads versus asynchronous event-driven

Performance and utilization

Server utilization, the bottom line, and green web hosting

Spelling: Node, Node.js, or Node.JS?

Summary

2. Setting up Node

System requirements

Installation on POSIX-like systems (Linux, Solaris, Mac, and so on)

Installing prerequisites

Installing developer tools on Mac OS X

Installing in your home directory

What's the rationale for a home directory installation?

Installing in a system-wide directory

Installing on Mac OS X with MacPorts

Installing on Mac OS X with homebrew

Installing on Linux from package management systems

Maintaining multiple Node installs simultaneously

Run a few commands; test your installation

Node's command-line tools

Running a simple script with Node

Launching a server with Node

Installing npm—the Node package manager

Starting Node servers at system startup

Using all CPU cores on multi-core systems

Summary

3. Node Modules

What's a module?

Node modules

How does Node resolve require('module')?

Module identifiers and path names

Local modules within your application

Bundling external dependencies with your application

System-wide modules in the require.paths directories

Complex modules—modules as directories

Node package Manager (npm)

npm package format

Finding npm packages

Using the npm commands

Getting help with npm

Viewing package information

Installing an npm package

Using installed packages

What packages are currently installed?

Package scripts

Editing and exploring installed package content

Updating outdated packages you've installed

Uninstalling an installed npm package

Developing and publishing npm packages

npm configuration settings

Package version strings and ranges

CommonJS modules

Demonstrating module encapsulation

Summary

4. Variations on a Simple Application

Creating a Math Wizard

To use a web framework, or not

Implementing the Math Wizard with Node (no frameworks)

Routing requests in Node

Handling URL query parameters

Multiplying numbers

Calculating the other mathematical functions

Extending the Math Wizard

Long running calculations (fibonacci numbers)

What "complete web server" features are missing?

Using Connect to implement the Math Wizard

Installing Connect and other setup

Connecting with Connect

Using Express to implement the Math Wizard

Implementing the Express Math Wizard

Handling errors

Parameterized URLs and data services

Parametrized URLs in Express

The mathematics server (and client)

Refactoring Math Wizard to use math server

Summary

5. A Simple Web Server, EventEmitters, and HTTP Clients

Sending and receiving events with EventEmitters

EventEmitter theory

HTTP Sniffer—listening to the HTTP conversation

Implementing a basic web server

The Basic Server implementation

Basic Server core (basicserver.js)

The Favicon handler (faviconHandler.js)

The static file handler (staticHandler.js)

A configuration for Basic Server (server.js)

Virtual host configuration with Basic Server

A shorturl module for Basic Server

MIME types and the MIME npm package

Cookie handling

Virtual hosts and request routing

Making HTTP Client requests

Summary

6. Data Storage and Retrieval

Data storage engines for Node

SQLite3—Lightweight in-process SQL engine

Installation

Implementing the Notes application with SQLite3

Database abstraction module—notesdb-sqlite3.js

Initializing the database—setup.js

Display notes on the console—show.js

Putting together the Notes web application—app.js

Notes application templates

Running the SQLite3 Notes application

Handling and debugging errors

Using other SQL databases with Node

Mongoose—Node interface to MongoDB

Installing Mongoose

Implementing the Notes application with Mongoose

Database abstraction module—notesdb-mongoose.js

Initializing the database—setup.js

Display notes on the console—show.js

Putting it together in an application—app.js

Other MongoDB database support

A quick look at authenticating your users

Summary

Index

Node Web Development

Copyright © 2011 Packt Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews.

Every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the author, nor Packt Publishing, and its dealers and distributors will be held liable for any damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.

Packt Publishing has endeavored to provide trademark information about all of the companies and products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, Packt Publishing cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

First published: August 2011

Production Reference: 1020811

Published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

Livery Place

35 Livery Street

Birmingham B3 2PB, UK.

ISBN 978-1-849515-14-6

www.packtpub.com

Cover Image by David Lorenz Winston (<[email protected]>)

Credits

Author

David Herron

Reviewers

Blagovest Dachev

Matt Ranney

Acquisition Editor

Sarah Cullington

Development Editor

Pallavi Iyengar

Technical Editor

Joyslita D'Souza

Project Coordinator

Joel Goveya

Proofreader

Aaron Nash

Indexers

Hemangini Bari

Tejal Daruwale

Production Coordinator

Alwin Roy

Cover Work

Alwin Roy

About the Author

David Herron has worked in the software industry, holding both developer and quality engineering roles, in Silicon Valley for over 20 ye...

Table of contents

• Node Web Development