About Express
Express is a minimal web framework for Node.js. It gives you routing, middleware and response helpers with a small core, and you add the features you need through separate packages.
What it does
You define handlers for HTTP methods and paths, then pass each request through a chain of middleware before the handler runs. Express includes helpers for static files and template engines, and its middleware ecosystem covers common tasks such as request parsing, compression, CORS and sessions.
Key features
- Routing for each HTTP method and path
- Middleware functions that run in order
- Static file serving and template engine support
- Large set of optional middleware packages
Who it's for
Node.js developers who want a simple base for web apps and JSON APIs. It is a common choice for teams that already know the ecosystem and want full control over which packages to include, instead of a framework that makes many decisions for them.
Pricing and good to know
Express is open source under the MIT licence and free to use. Because it is intentionally small, you will need to choose packages for validation, authentication and other needs, and keep them updated. The project publishes security guidance for production use.
Highlights
- Routes for GET, POST and other methods
- Middleware chain for each request
- Static files and template engines
- Many optional packages for common tasks
