Search icon CANCEL
Subscription
0
Cart icon
Your Cart (0 item)
Close icon
You have no products in your basket yet
Save more on your purchases! discount-offer-chevron-icon
Savings automatically calculated. No voucher code required.
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Newsletter Hub
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
timer SALE ENDS IN
0 Days
:
00 Hours
:
00 Minutes
:
00 Seconds
Mastering Web Application Development with Express
Mastering Web Application Development with Express

Mastering Web Application Development with Express: A comprehensive guide to developing production-ready web applications with Express

eBook
$29.69 $32.99
Paperback
$43.99 $54.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at $19.99p/m

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Redeem a companion digital copy on all Print orders
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Mastering Web Application Development with Express

Chapter 2. Component Modularity Using Middleware

In this chapter, we will look at the middleware system used by Express and see how it enables us to create modular web applications. This chapter will cover the following topics:

  • How the middleware system works
  • Creating configurable middleware
  • Differences between the router and the middleware system
  • Why loading middleware in order matters
  • Handling errors using middleware
  • Mounting subapplications with Express
  • Creating a middleware system similar to the one used in Express

Connecting middleware

Middleware refers to reusable components that can be plugged into an Express application. Middleware consists of functions that handle HTTP requests, such as the one we would pass to Node's native http.createServer function. A middleware component can add features by manipulating the request and response objects and then send the response to the client or pass control to the following middleware in the stack. There are a lot of middleware libraries that are compatible with Express, the most popular ones being those that were bundled with it but now live in separate modules (https://github.com/senchalabs/connect#middleware).

Web applications have to deal with a lot of things, such as managing cookies and sessions, handling file uploads, or serving static files. Middleware libraries can address these problems.

The functionality of middleware

The middleware function takes the following arguments:

  • The request object: This is a wrapper on top of the request parameter found in Node's http.createServer function, with added functionalities
  • The response object: This is another wrapper that extends the response parameter found in Node's http.createServer function
  • A callback: This is usually named next, which might get executed when everything in the current middleware is done so that the following middleware in the stack can be invoked

The following is an example of a middleware that only allows the web application to be accessed by users that are inside the private network, based on their IP address. If a user has access, we will call the next function; otherwise, we will display an error message and send the error status code (403 in this case).

function restrictAccess(req, res, next) {
  var ip = req.ip;

  // check if the ip belongs to the server
  // or to a user in the local network
  // meaning...

Creating configurable middleware

Configurable middleware refers to functions that can be customized, meaning there are variables that are not hardcoded and can be passed as parameters to those functions.

Some of the most widely used configurable components are the static and the session middleware. For the first one, we can configure the path for the static resources along with some more advanced features, while the session middleware can accept parameters such as secret, key, and other settings, as shown in the following code:

var session = require('express-session');
app.use(express.static('/public'));
app.use(session({
  secret: 'random chars',
  key: 'session_id',
  cookie: {
    secure: true
  }
}));

Closures to the rescue

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the call to app.use() expects a function as a parameter in order to work properly. The router (this used to be the dispatcher from the Connect framework) invokes the middleware directly, because...

Environment-based loading of middleware

While developing applications locally, we don't need to use components that enable gzip compression or database-backed sessions. Luckily, it's really simple to detect the current application environment.

In Express 3, there was an app.configure() function to detect the environment, but that was removed for newer versions. Nevertheless, all we have to do is pass the NODE_ENV environment variable (process.env.NODE_ENV) when starting the application; for example, see the following line of code:

NODE_ENV=production node env-middleware.js

Then, in our application, we can check for that variable and default to the development mode if it doesn't exist. Instead of writing the same if logic everywhere, we can create a tiny function to execute a callback if the environment matches the first parameter of the function (which is what app.configure() did). In case we want to set the environment in the code, we can create a closure that takes a single...

Express routes

Express makes use of HTTP verbs and path patterns to provide a meaningful API for describing routes:

app.verb(path, [callback...], callback)

The route handlers take the same arguments (request, response, and next), and the path can be a string (that will be transformed into a regular expression) or a regular expression.

If we were to define a route handler to update an article, then the request method (verb) would be PUT, and the URL could look like /articles/211 (where the number represents the article ID). Here's how to do this with Express:

app.put('/articles/:id', function(req, res, next) {
  var id = req.params.id;

  console.log('Updating article ' + id);
  console.log('Attributes: ', req.body);
  // save to database
  // send message or render template
});

Specifying the path

The path parameter can be either a string (transformed into a regular expression internally by Express) or a regular expression, in case we need to match very specific...

Connecting middleware


Middleware refers to reusable components that can be plugged into an Express application. Middleware consists of functions that handle HTTP requests, such as the one we would pass to Node's native http.createServer function. A middleware component can add features by manipulating the request and response objects and then send the response to the client or pass control to the following middleware in the stack. There are a lot of middleware libraries that are compatible with Express, the most popular ones being those that were bundled with it but now live in separate modules (https://github.com/senchalabs/connect#middleware).

Web applications have to deal with a lot of things, such as managing cookies and sessions, handling file uploads, or serving static files. Middleware libraries can address these problems.

The functionality of middleware


The middleware function takes the following arguments:

  • The request object: This is a wrapper on top of the request parameter found in Node's http.createServer function, with added functionalities

  • The response object: This is another wrapper that extends the response parameter found in Node's http.createServer function

  • A callback: This is usually named next, which might get executed when everything in the current middleware is done so that the following middleware in the stack can be invoked

The following is an example of a middleware that only allows the web application to be accessed by users that are inside the private network, based on their IP address. If a user has access, we will call the next function; otherwise, we will display an error message and send the error status code (403 in this case).

function restrictAccess(req, res, next) {
  var ip = req.ip;

  // check if the ip belongs to the server
  // or to a user in the local network
  // meaning his...

Creating configurable middleware


Configurable middleware refers to functions that can be customized, meaning there are variables that are not hardcoded and can be passed as parameters to those functions.

Some of the most widely used configurable components are the static and the session middleware. For the first one, we can configure the path for the static resources along with some more advanced features, while the session middleware can accept parameters such as secret, key, and other settings, as shown in the following code:

var session = require('express-session');
app.use(express.static('/public'));
app.use(session({
  secret: 'random chars',
  key: 'session_id',
  cookie: {
    secure: true
  }
}));

Closures to the rescue

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the call to app.use() expects a function as a parameter in order to work properly. The router (this used to be the dispatcher from the Connect framework) invokes the middleware directly, because it is the only component that knows...

Environment-based loading of middleware


While developing applications locally, we don't need to use components that enable gzip compression or database-backed sessions. Luckily, it's really simple to detect the current application environment.

In Express 3, there was an app.configure() function to detect the environment, but that was removed for newer versions. Nevertheless, all we have to do is pass the NODE_ENV environment variable (process.env.NODE_ENV) when starting the application; for example, see the following line of code:

NODE_ENV=production node env-middleware.js

Then, in our application, we can check for that variable and default to the development mode if it doesn't exist. Instead of writing the same if logic everywhere, we can create a tiny function to execute a callback if the environment matches the first parameter of the function (which is what app.configure() did). In case we want to set the environment in the code, we can create a closure that takes a single argument and returns...

Express routes


Express makes use of HTTP verbs and path patterns to provide a meaningful API for describing routes:

app.verb(path, [callback...], callback)

The route handlers take the same arguments (request, response, and next), and the path can be a string (that will be transformed into a regular expression) or a regular expression.

If we were to define a route handler to update an article, then the request method (verb) would be PUT, and the URL could look like /articles/211 (where the number represents the article ID). Here's how to do this with Express:

app.put('/articles/:id', function(req, res, next) {
  var id = req.params.id;

  console.log('Updating article ' + id);
  console.log('Attributes: ', req.body);
  // save to database
  // send message or render template
});

Specifying the path

The path parameter can be either a string (transformed into a regular expression internally by Express) or a regular expression, in case we need to match very specific patterns (such as an e-mail address...

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon

Description

If you are a Node.js developer who wants to take your Express skills to the next level and develop high performing, reliable web applications using best practices, this book is ideal for you. The only prerequisite is knowledge of Node.js.

What you will learn

  • Understand the inner workings of the middleware system and build your own Harness and customize middleware for your needs Create RESTful APIs using Express Optimize the performance and throughput of Express web applications Gain an insight into avoiding repeatable code and improve developer productivity Secure, debug, and error-handle your application in a live production environment Improve code quality using existing tools
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to United States

Economy delivery 10 - 13 business days

Free $6.95

Premium delivery 6 - 9 business days

$21.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Sep 25, 2014
Length: 358 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781783981083
Tools :

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Redeem a companion digital copy on all Print orders
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to United States

Economy delivery 10 - 13 business days

Free $6.95

Premium delivery 6 - 9 business days

$21.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Publication date : Sep 25, 2014
Length: 358 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781783981083
Tools :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
$19.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
$199.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
$279.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total $ 127.17 158.97 31.80 saved
Web Development with MongoDB and Node.js
$39.19 $48.99
MEAN Web Development
$43.99 $54.99
Mastering Web Application Development with Express
$43.99 $54.99
Total $ 127.17 158.97 31.80 saved Stars icon

Table of Contents

12 Chapters
1. Diving into Express Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Component Modularity Using Middleware Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Creating RESTful APIs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Leveraging the Power of Template Engines Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Reusable Patterns for a DRY Code Base Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Error Handling Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Improving the Application's Performance Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Monitoring Live Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Debugging Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Application Security Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
11. Testing and Improving Code Quality Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon 3.7
(3 Ratings)
5 star 0%
4 star 66.7%
3 star 33.3%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
Joaquin Cabrera Jan 19, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon 4
I’ve read up through chapter 4, and so far find the book useful.Chapter 2: Component Modularity discusses the usage of components, takes the reader through an example of implementing the basic and internal functionality of Express. This provides a good introduction to how Express works internally.In Chapter 3: Creating RESTful APIs, the author explains the basics of RESTful design and uses most of the content in a test-based implementation of the API. I would prefer more explanation on the RESTful design. However, the lack of explanation is compensated by showing a good way to design your API how to test the product in mind.For Chapter 4: Template engines, I was expecting more detail in the basic examples of the four templates. However, I found the example about cache in production environment very useful.In summary, the author does a good job of providing basic examples and more advanced examples. The book would be improved if there was more detail between the basic and advanced levels; however, I find the book useful. I'd would give this book a 3.5, but there is not an option to do it.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
David E Frahm Dec 03, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon 4
I was given access to the digital version, and it was pretty good.I have years of web experience, but had only dabbled in Node.js before. This book was a great way to pause and take in some comprehensive knowledge on the subject.The content was engaging and well written, and the author seemed to really have a good understanding of the subject, in a real hands-on and real world experience kind of way. Enough so that I hope to read it again soon, or at least some of the parts that are more relevant to me.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Tony Brown Nov 10, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 3
First of all I was given a digital copy of the book to review.All in all it's not a bad book, if you are following along with the book, make sure to download the sample files.For example, in Chapter 2: first example the file in reference is called 'p- whitelist.js'if you are an experience Express dev than you will have no problems getting the examples to work.I found the examples to be fun and informative, just the poor editing throughout the book makes it a chore to follow along.All in all the author gives good advice, it's a pricey book, not worth it in my opinion.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

What is the digital copy I get with my Print order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

When you buy any Print edition of our Books, you can redeem (for free) the eBook edition of the Print Book you’ve purchased. This gives you instant access to your book when you make an order via PDF, EPUB or our online Reader experience.

What is the delivery time and cost of print book? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela
What is custom duty/charge? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customs duty are charges levied on goods when they cross international borders. It is a tax that is imposed on imported goods. These duties are charged by special authorities and bodies created by local governments and are meant to protect local industries, economies, and businesses.

Do I have to pay customs charges for the print book order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The orders shipped to the countries that are listed under EU27 will not bear custom charges. They are paid by Packt as part of the order.

List of EU27 countries: www.gov.uk/eu-eea:

A custom duty or localized taxes may be applicable on the shipment and would be charged by the recipient country outside of the EU27 which should be paid by the customer and these duties are not included in the shipping charges been charged on the order.

How do I know my custom duty charges? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The amount of duty payable varies greatly depending on the imported goods, the country of origin and several other factors like the total invoice amount or dimensions like weight, and other such criteria applicable in your country.

For example:

  • If you live in Mexico, and the declared value of your ordered items is over $ 50, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 19% which will be $ 9.50 to the courier service.
  • Whereas if you live in Turkey, and the declared value of your ordered items is over € 22, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 18% which will be € 3.96 to the courier service.
How can I cancel my order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Cancellation Policy for Published Printed Books:

You can cancel any order within 1 hour of placing the order. Simply contact customercare@packt.com with your order details or payment transaction id. If your order has already started the shipment process, we will do our best to stop it. However, if it is already on the way to you then when you receive it, you can contact us at customercare@packt.com using the returns and refund process.

Please understand that Packt Publishing cannot provide refunds or cancel any order except for the cases described in our Return Policy (i.e. Packt Publishing agrees to replace your printed book because it arrives damaged or material defect in book), Packt Publishing will not accept returns.

What is your returns and refunds policy? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Return Policy:

We want you to be happy with your purchase from Packtpub.com. We will not hassle you with returning print books to us. If the print book you receive from us is incorrect, damaged, doesn't work or is unacceptably late, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com with the order number and issue details as explained below:

  1. If you ordered (eBook, Video or Print Book) incorrectly or accidentally, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com within one hour of placing the order and we will replace/refund you the item cost.
  2. Sadly, if your eBook or Video file is faulty or a fault occurs during the eBook or Video being made available to you, i.e. during download then you should contact Customer Relations Team within 14 days of purchase on customercare@packt.com who will be able to resolve this issue for you.
  3. You will have a choice of replacement or refund of the problem items.(damaged, defective or incorrect)
  4. Once Customer Care Team confirms that you will be refunded, you should receive the refund within 10 to 12 working days.
  5. If you are only requesting a refund of one book from a multiple order, then we will refund you the appropriate single item.
  6. Where the items were shipped under a free shipping offer, there will be no shipping costs to refund.

On the off chance your printed book arrives damaged, with book material defect, contact our Customer Relation Team on customercare@packt.com within 14 days of receipt of the book with appropriate evidence of damage and we will work with you to secure a replacement copy, if necessary. Please note that each printed book you order from us is individually made by Packt's professional book-printing partner which is on a print-on-demand basis.

What tax is charged? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Currently, no tax is charged on the purchase of any print book (subject to change based on the laws and regulations). A localized VAT fee is charged only to our European and UK customers on eBooks, Video and subscriptions that they buy. GST is charged to Indian customers for eBooks and video purchases.

What payment methods can I use? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

You can pay with the following card types:

  1. Visa Debit
  2. Visa Credit
  3. MasterCard
  4. PayPal
What is the delivery time and cost of print books? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela
Modal Close icon
Modal Close icon