NFT Developer with Express Salary in 2024

Where is Express used?

Express Alternatives

Koa

Koa, created by the original team behind Express, offers a robust foundation for web applications. It leverages async functions for a simpler and more powerful middleware framework.

Example:

const Koa = require('koa');
const app = new Koa();

app.use(async ctx => {
  ctx.body = 'Hello World';
});

app.listen(3000);

Pros:

• Lighter, more modular structure

• Improved error handling through try/catch

• Enables use of ES2017 async functions

Cons:

• Smaller community, fewer resources

• Relatively new, less mature than Express

• Requires understanding of modern JavaScript features

Hapi

Hapi is a rich framework for building applications and services, known for its powerful plugin system which allows developers to extend its capabilities.

Example:

const Hapi = require('@hapi/hapi');

const init = async () => {

    const server = Hapi.server({
        port: 3000,
        host: 'localhost'
    });

    server.route({
        method: 'GET',
        path: '/',
        handler: (request, h) => {
            return 'Hello World';
        }
    });

    await server.start();
    console.log('Server running on %s', server.info.uri);
};

init();

Pros:

• Extensive plugin ecosystem

• Built-in input validation

• Rich configuration options

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve

• Bulky for smaller projects

• Can feel overly structured for simple tasks

Fastify

Fastify is a fast and low-overhead web framework, highly focused on providing good performance through its efficient request/response lifecycle.

Example:

const fastify = require('fastify')({
  logger: true
});

fastify.get('/', async (request, reply) => {
  return { hello: 'world' }
});

fastify.listen(3000, err => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log(`server listening on ${fastify.server.address().port}`)
});

Pros:

• Emphasis on speed and performance

• Schema-based validation built-in

• High extensibility with hooks, plugins, and decorators

Cons:

• Less mainstream than Express

• Not as many middleware options natively

• APIs can be too low-level for beginners

Quick Facts about Express

The Birth of Express: Speedy Delivery in Node.js Land!

Imagine hopping on the back of a supercharged JavaScript cheetah in 2010; that's when TJ Holowaychuk decided we all deserved to write web apps with more pep in our step! Express.js shot out like a rocket, making Node.js web development a breezy ride. It's the Sinatra of Node, but you know, without the singing and old-timey microphone.

Version Fun: Playing the Numbers Game

Buckle up! The Express version timeline is like a wild rollercoaster, without the annoying loops. Starting with 0.x released in the wild-west days of Node.js, it hustled to 4.x, promising unicorns and rainbows... Okay, not really, but it did bring us a more modular structure that had developers doing the happy dance. It's like your grandma's lasagna recipe: it just keeps getting better with time.

The Middleware Melody: A Symphony of Functions

Want to hear a secret? The magic of Express lies in its middleware, which is like a fancy assembly line for requests, where each worker is a piece of code that adds a sprinkle of functionality. One piece is logging, another could be parsing, and before you know it, your request is ready to serve – chef's kiss!

app.use('/user/:id', function(req, res, next) {
  console.log('Request Type:', req.method);
  next();
});

What is the difference between Junior, Middle, Senior and Expert Express developer?

Top 10 Express Related Tech

1. 
   

   JavaScript (Node.js)

   
   

   
   Oh, the bedrock of Express—the illustrious JavaScript running on Node.js! It’s like the peanut butter to your jelly; without it, you can’t whip up anything in Express. Node.js allows JavaScript to break free from the browser and take a joyride on the server side. Make sure you're cozy with asynchronous programming; Promises, callbacks, and async/await are your new BFFs.

   
   // An async function in JavaScript
   async function getTheGoods() {
     let result = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
     let data = await result.json();
     console.log(data);
   }
   getTheGoods();

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Express.js Framework

   
   

   
   The star of the show, naturally! Express.js is the minimalist web framework that doesn't boss you around. It's more like a Swiss Army knife for building web applications—it gives you the tools, but it’s up to you to use them wisely. It handles routing, middleware, and it’s got more options than a buffet. Dig in!

   
   const express = require('express');
   const app = express();
   // A simple route in Express
   app.get('/', (req, res) => res.send('Hello World!'));
   app.listen(3000, () => console.log('App listening on port 3000!'));

   
   

    

1. 
   

   MongoDB & Mongoose

   
   

   
   Welcome to the no-SQL-zone! It’s MongoDB paired with the ODM (Object Document Mapper) charm of Mongoose. Together, they’re like Batman and Robin for your database needs. With MongoDB’s flexible schema and Mongoose’s ability to translate back and forth between objects in code and the representation of those objects in MongoDB, you're set for an adventure.

   
   const mongoose = require('mongoose');
   mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost/my_database');
   // Simple Mongoose schema
   const Cat = mongoose.model('Cat', { name: String });
   const kitty = new Cat({ name: 'Zildjian' });
   kitty.save().then(() => console.log('meow'));

   
   

    

1. 
   

   RESTful API Design

   
   

   
   Designing APIs like you’re drafting up blueprints for a spaceship. Creating endpoints should be like writing poetry, not a tax return. HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) are your verbs, and URIs are the nouns. Keep it intuitive, predictable, and REST assured, your API users will thank you for making their lives easier.

   
   // Express.js REST API example
   app.get('/api/v1/resources', (req, res) => {
     // Get list of resources
   });
   app.post('/api/v1/resources', (req, res) => {
     // Create a new resource
   });

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Testing with Mocha & Chai

   
   

   
   Your code needs a safety net, a buddy that yells "I got you!"—that's Mocha with a dash of Chai. Writing tests is less about ensuring you don't fall, and more about knowing you can fly through your code with style. Mocha sets the stage and Chai brings the flavor with BDD/TDD assertion libraries that will make testing a treat, not a chore.

   
   // Example of a test with Mocha and Chai
   const expect = require('chai').expect;
   describe('Array', () => {
     it('should start empty', () => {
       const arr = [];
       expect(arr).to.be.empty;
     });
   });

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Authentication with Passport.js

   
   

   
   Guarding the realm from unwelcome visitors is Passport.js, your trusty gatekeeper. It’s like a bouncer for your web app, checking IDs and granting access with a nod. Local, Twitter, Facebook, or Google—just pick an identity strategy, and Passport will handle the nitty-gritty of user authentication.

   
   const passport = require('passport');
   const LocalStrategy = require('passport-local').Strategy;
   
   passport.use(new LocalStrategy(
     (username, password, done) => {
       Users.findOne({ username: username }, (err, user) => {
         // Authentication logic here
       });
     }
   ));

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Real-time Communication with Socket.IO

   
   

   
   When your app needs to chat in real time, Socket.IO is like the chatty taxi driver who always has one more story. It keeps the conversation flowing smoothly between client and server, with WebSockets under the hood for those clients with a need for speed.

   
   const io = require('socket.io')(httpServer);
   io.on('connection', (socket) => {
     console.log('a user connected');
     socket.on('disconnect', () => {
       console.log('user disconnected');
     });
   });

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Containerization with Docker

   
   

   
   Think of Docker as Tupperware for your app. It keeps everything contained and fresh, regardless of where you take it. No more "works on my machine" excuses—you can define your app's environment down to the last semicolon and share it with others, knowing it won’t go bad.

   
   # Example Dockerfile content for Node.js app
   FROM node:14
   WORKDIR /usr/src/app
   COPY package*.json ./
   RUN npm install
   COPY . .
   EXPOSE 8080
   CMD [ "node", "server.js" ]

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Logging with Morgan & Winston

   
   

   
   Logs are the breadcrumbs you leave behind for your future self. Morgan tells you who came by, and Winston records their stories. With these two on duty, your debugging sessions will feel like watching reality TV, you’ll follow the drama as it unfolds, and figure out who’s causing the mess.

   
   const morgan = require('morgan');
   const winston = require('winston');
   app.use(morgan('combined')); // For HTTP request logging
   // Winston for more substantial logging needs
   const logger = winston.createLogger({
     // Winston configuration
   });

   
   

    

1. 
   

   Environment Management with dotenv

   
   

   
   Secrets, secrets are no fun unless you share with .env! Dotenv is your app's diary, holding all the little secrets it doesn't want to shout to the world. API keys, database passwords—dotenv keeps them safe and sound, tucked away in environment variables. Just remember, don’t commit it. 😅

   
   require('dotenv').config();
   // Using an environment variable
   const dbPassword = process.env.DB_PASSWORD;