NodeJS: How To Create A Simple Server Using The HTTP Module

Intro

So we installed NodeJS on our machine.

Now we want to learn how to create a simple server using the HTTP module.

Write a simple script

• Open your terminal
• Create a file named index.js:

touch index.js

• Add this JavaScript code into it:

// import http module
const http = require('http');

// server configuration
const HOST = '127.0.0.1';
const PORT = 8080;

// create the server
const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.end('Hello!');
});

// make the server listen to requests
server.listen(PORT, HOST, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at: http://${HOST}:${PORT}/`);
});

Note: This is an extremely simple server. I would recommend you to read the docs of the HTTP module, especially how headers work and how to send them.

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Run it from the terminal

• Run it:

node index.js

• Result:

Server running at: http://127.0.0.1:8080/

Now you can click on the link and reach your created server.

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Further Reading

• HTTP module
• Anatomy of an HTTP Transaction
• HTTP/2 module
• HTTPS module

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Questions

• Do you use the native HTTP/HTTPS module or some libraries like express? Why do you use it?

Comments

[terenson]

Is it possible to start something similar via https ?

[miku86]

Hey @terenson ,

great question.

Like @arswaw said,
you need a certificate.

How to create an https server?
Node HTTPS Module

[Arswaw]

Yes but you have to have a certificate.

[pandax54]

Thank you so much for sharing this! =) Dankeschon