How to Run Node Server

Running a Node.js server is a straightforward process. Here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Install Node.js

If you don’t have Node.js installed, you’ll need to install it first.

1. Visit the Node.js download page.
2. Download and install the latest stable version of Node.js for your operating system.

Step 2: Create a Simple Node.js Server

1. Create a new directory for your project (e.g., my-node-server):

   mkdir my-node-server
   cd my-node-server
   

2. Initialize a new Node.js project:

   npm init -y
   

   This will create a package.json file.

3. Create a new JavaScript file (e.g., server.js) and add the following code:

   const http = require('http');
   
   const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
   const port = 3000;
   
   const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
       res.statusCode = 200;
       res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
       res.end('Hello, Node.js server!\n');
   });
   
   server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
       console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
   });
   

Step 3: Run the Server

In the terminal, run the following command to start the server:

node server.js

Step 4: Access the Server

Once the server is running, open your browser and visit:

http://127.0.0.1:3000

You should see the message “Hello, Node.js server!”.

Additional Notes:

• If you’re using a framework like Express.js, you can set up a more complex server with routes and middleware.
• You can stop the server at any time by pressing Ctrl+C in the terminal.

That’s it! You’ve successfully set up and run a simple Node.js server.