This is running on Node.js
About Page `); }); // Route for about page app.get('/about', (req, res) => { res.send(`This website is powered by Node.js and Express
Back to Home `); }); // Health check (required by container) app.get('/ping', (req, res) => { res.json({ status: 'ok', timestamp: new Date() }); }); // Start the server app.listen(port, () => { console.log(`Server running on port ${port}`); }); ``` ### 2. Start Your Container ```bash ./local-dev.sh -n my-first-app ``` ### 3. Access Your Site Visit `https://localhost` (accept the SSL warning) and you'll see your website! ## Common Use Cases ### Static Website (Like HTML/CSS sites) Put your HTML files in `user/app/public/` and use this simple server: ```javascript const express = require('express'); const app = express(); app.use(express.static('public')); app.get('/ping', (req, res) => res.json({ status: 'ok' })); app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Static site running')); ``` ### Form Processing (Like PHP forms) ```javascript const express = require('express'); const app = express(); app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: true })); // Process form data app.use(express.static('public')); // Show contact form app.get('/contact', (req, res) => { res.send(` `); }); // Process form submission app.post('/contact', (req, res) => { const { name, email, message } = req.body; // Here you would save to database, send email, etc. console.log('Contact form:', { name, email, message }); res.send(`We received your message.
`); }); app.get('/ping', (req, res) => res.json({ status: 'ok' })); app.listen(3000); ``` ### Database Connection (Like MySQL in PHP) ```javascript const express = require('express'); const app = express(); // In package.json dependencies, add: "mysql2": "^3.6.0" const mysql = require('mysql2'); const db = mysql.createConnection({ host: 'localhost', user: 'your_user', password: 'your_password', database: 'your_database' }); app.get('/users', (req, res) => { db.query('SELECT * FROM users', (err, results) => { if (err) { res.status(500).json({ error: err.message }); } else { res.json(results); } }); }); app.get('/ping', (req, res) => res.json({ status: 'ok' })); app.listen(3000); ``` ## File Structure Examples ### Simple Website ``` user/app/ ├── package.json ├── server.js └── public/ ├── index.html ├── about.html ├── style.css └── images/ └── logo.png ``` ### API Application ``` user/app/ ├── package.json ├── server.js ├── routes/ │ ├── users.js │ └── products.js └── public/ └── api-docs.html ``` ## Key Differences from PHP | Concept | PHP | Node.js | |---------|-----|---------| | **File serving** | Apache serves .php files directly | Express routes handle requests | | **Variables** | `$variable` | `let variable` | | **Arrays** | `$arr = array()` | `let arr = []` | | **Echo/Print** | `echo "Hello"` | `res.send("Hello")` | | **Include files** | `include 'file.php'` | `require('./file.js')` | | **Database** | Connect in each file | Connect once, reuse connection | | **Sessions** | `$_SESSION` | `req.session` (with middleware) | | **Forms** | `$_POST` | `req.body` (with middleware) | ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues for PHP Users **Issue:** "Cannot GET /" error **Solution:** Make sure you have an `app.get('/', ...)` route defined **Issue:** Static files (CSS/images) not loading **Solution:** Put them in `public/` folder and add `app.use(express.static('public'))` **Issue:** Forms not working **Solution:** Add `app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: true }))` before your routes **Issue:** App crashes on restart **Solution:** PM2 will automatically restart it, but check logs in `user/logs/nodejs/` ### Getting Help - Check container logs: `./instance_logs` - Check your app specifically: `docker exec -it your-container-name pm2 logs` - Access container shell: `./instance_shell` - Health check: Visit `/ping` to see if your app is responding ## Advanced Features ### Using Sessions (like PHP $_SESSION) ```javascript // Add to package.json dependencies: "express-session": "^1.17.3" const session = require('express-session'); app.use(session({ secret: 'your-secret-key', resave: false, saveUninitialized: false })); app.get('/login', (req, res) => { req.session.user = 'john_doe'; res.send('Logged in!'); }); app.get('/profile', (req, res) => { if (req.session.user) { res.send(`Hello ${req.session.user}!`); } else { res.send('Please log in'); } }); ``` ### File Uploads ```javascript // Add to package.json: "multer": "^1.4.5-lts.1" const multer = require('multer'); const upload = multer({ dest: 'uploads/' }); app.post('/upload', upload.single('file'), (req, res) => { res.send(`File uploaded: ${req.file.originalname}`); }); ``` The container handles all the complex server setup, so you can focus on building your application!