Node.js Installation Process & Problems

Example : What are the software requirements and brief development setup for developing web applications using Node.js?

To build a web development project using Node.js, we need to set up the right tools and dependencies. Below are the typical key requirements:-

1️⃣ Install Node.js & NPM

🔹 Node.js language is required to run JavaScript on the backend.
🔹 NPM (Node Package Manager) helps to install other required dependencies for Node .js
🔹 Download & Install Node.js with NPM and LTS:
	- Go to: https://nodejs.org/ - Download the installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) such as 'Windows Installer(.msi)' for windows.
	- Open the downloaded installer and Install 'Windows Installer(.msi)' having attached with LTS (Long-Term Support) version for stability.	
	- Click 'Next' and follow the installation steps.
	- Also, ensure npm (Node Package Manager) is installed (already included with Node.js).
	- Click 'Finish' to complete installation.
	- After successful installation, check if Node.js and npm are installed correctly.

2️⃣ Install a Code Editor (VS Code Recommended)

🔹 It is suggested to use VS Code for a great development experience.
	- Download and Install VS Code: https://code.visualstudio.com/
	- Install suitable Node.js Extension Pack for better support.

3️⃣ Initialize a Node.js Project

🔹 Create a proper named project folder:
    - for this, Type 'mkdir project_folder_name' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.
    - Now 'cd project_folder_name' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.

🔹Initialize Node.js project:
    - Type 'npm init -y'  at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.  # Creates package.json file. This package.json file manages our project dependencies.

4️⃣ Choose a Web Framework (Express.js Recommended)

🔹 'Express.js' is the most popular web framework for Node.js/backend development.
🔹  Install Express.js webframework:
      - Type 'npm install express' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.
🔹 Create a basic server.js file:
      const express = require("express");
      const app = express();

      app.get("/", (req, res) => {
      res.send("Hello, Node.js Web Development!");
      });

      app.listen(3000, () => {
      console.log("Server running on http://localhost:3000");
      });
🔹 Run the server:
      - Type 'node server.js' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.
🔹 Open http://localhost:3000 in a browser.

5️⃣ Install Additional Tools (Optional)

🔹 Nodemon (Auto-restart server on code changes):
     - for this, Type 'npm install -g nodemon' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.
     - Again, Type 'nodemon server.js' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.
🔹 dotenv (for Managing environment variables):
     - Type 'npm install dotenv' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.
🔹 CORS (Enable cross-origin requests/Enable API requests from other domains):
     - Type 'npm install cors' at Terminal(VS Code) or Command Prompt and then press enter button.

6️⃣ Choose a Frontend Technology to create Interface design

🔹 We can use HTML, CSS, JavaScript or a frontend framework like:
	- React.js (npx create-react-app my-app)
	- Vue.js (npm install -g @vue/cli)
	- Angular (npm install -g @angular/cli)

7️⃣ Connect to a Database to store data permanently

🔹 Choose a database based on your project needs:
	- MongoDB (NoSQL) → Install mongoose:
            Type 'npm install mongoose' at Terminal
	- MySQL / PostgreSQL (SQL) → Install mysql2:
            Type 'npm install mysql2' or use and install Xampp Server for MySql.

8️⃣ Deploy Your Created Node.js Web App

🔹 Hosting Services for Node.js:
	- Vercel / Render (Free hosting for small projects)
	- Heroku (heroku create my-app)
	- AWS / Digital Ocean (For scalable projects)
 

Thus, the Summary for Web Development using Node.js are

Requirements            :	Tools

Backend Language	: Node.js + Express.js
Frontend Language       : HTML/CSS/JS, React, Vue, Angular
Backend Database Tools  : MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL
Development Tools	: VS Code, Nodemon, dotenv
Deployment Tools        : Vercel, Render, Heroku, AWS

Now we're ready to develop web applications with Node.js!

Example : How do you check/confirm that Node.js and associated components have been successfully installed for a web development environment?

(i) To check node.js Installation - Type 'node -v' at Command prompt/VS code or other terminal. 
 
(ii) To check npm Installation - Type 'npm -v' at Command prompt/VS code or other terminal. 
 
(If both commands return version numbers, Node.js and npm are successfully installed.)

Example : What is the Typical/Standard Project Structure of Node.js Web development environment?

nodejs-web-app/project-directory
│
├── node_modules/        # Installed dependencies
├── public/              # Static files (CSS, JS, images)
│   ├── css/             # Stylesheets
│   ├── js/              # Client-side JavaScript
│   ├── images/          # Static images
│
├── views/               # Frontend views (EJS, Pug, or HTML)
│   ├── layouts/         # Header, footer templates
│   ├── pages/           # Actual pages (home, dashboard, register.ejs,success.ejs)
│   ├── errors/          # Error pages (404, 500)
│
├── routes/              # Route files
│   ├── auth.js          # Authentication routes
│   ├── user.js          # User-related routes
│   ├── index.js         # Main route file
│
├── models/              # Database models (MongoDB, Sequelize,MySql etc.)
│   ├── userModel.js     # User schema/model
│   ├── postModel.js     # Example model (for blog posts)
│
├── controllers/         # Business logic (handles routes)
│   ├── authController.js  # Authentication logic
│   ├── userController.js  # User-related logic
│   ├── postController.js  # Example controller
│
├── middleware/          # Middleware functions (authentication, logging)
│   ├── authMiddleware.js  # Protect routes
│   ├── errorHandler.js    # Global error handling
│
├── config/              # Configuration files
│   ├── database.js      # Database connection (MongoDB, MySQL)
│   ├── keys.js          # API keys, environment variables
│
├── logs/                # Log files (if using logging like Winston)
│
├── tests/               # Unit and integration tests
│   ├── auth.test.js     # Test authentication
│   ├── user.test.js     # Test user features
│
├── .env                 # Environment variables (DB connection, API keys)
├── .gitignore           # Ignore unnecessary files in Git
├── package.json         # Project metadata & dependencies
├── package-lock.json    # Exact dependency versions
├── app.js               # Main application entry point
├── server.js            # Starts the server