This is a basic guide on getting started with node.js using express. You can use tools to automate the creation of express apps but I decided to do it manually as you get more idea of what is going on so if/when you encounter problems you have more idea than you would if you blindly used a tool.
create a new working directory
mkdir newexpress
cd newexpress
install express
npm install express
node_modules/express/bin/express
npm install
install handlebars for express
npm install express3-handlebars --save
rm views/*
cp -R node_modules/express3-handlebars/examples/basic/views/* views/
enable handlebars templating
edit app.js
add
var exphbs = require('express3-handlebars');
replace
app.set('view engine', 'jade');
with
app.engine('handlebars', exphbs({defaultLayout: 'main'}));
app.set('view engine', 'handlebars');
remove or comment out default routes
var routes = require('./routes');
var user = require('./routes/user');
app.get('/', routes.index);
app.get('/users', user.list);
add new routes
app.get('/', function (req, res) {
res.render('home');
});
You should now be able to start the app with node app
.
The example views are basic but you can easily add in 'partials' to extend layouts.
This can also be extended to include other modules like sass etc.
I personally have extended it to use grunt + sass + livereload just to make is easier for designing sites.
UPDATE: 22nd March 2014
I have now switched from express3-handlebars
to express-hbs
.
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