express-project-06-json-body-parser-api

A simple Express.js backend API demonstrating how to accept and process JSON request bodies using the Express JSON body parser middleware.

---

Project Goal

This project demonstrates how backend APIs receive JSON data from clients using POST requests and how Express parses that data using built-in middleware.

Key learning points:

• Express server setup
• JSON body parsing using express.json()
• POST request handling
• Basic controller and route structure
• Using nodemon for development

---

Tech Stack

• Node.js
• Express.js
• Nodemon

---

Project Structure

express-project-06-json-body-parser-api
│
├── src
│   ├── controllers
│   │   └── user.controller.js
│   │
│   └── routes
│       └── user.route.js
│
├── api-test.rest
├── index.js
├── package.json
└── .gitignore

---

Installation

Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/a2rp/express-project-06-json-body-parser-api.git
cd express-project-06-json-body-parser-api

Install dependencies

npm install

---

Run the Project

Development mode using nodemon

npm run dev

Server runs at

http://localhost:1198

---

API Endpoints

Root Route

GET /

Response

{
    "message": "JSON Body Parser API is running"
}

---

Create User

POST /users

Request Body

{
    "name": "Ashish",
    "age": 28,
    "city": "Bangalore"
}

Response

{
    "message": "User created successfully",
    "receivedData": {
        "name": "Ashish",
        "age": 28,
        "city": "Bangalore"
    }
}

---

Key Concept

The main concept demonstrated in this project is the JSON body parser middleware.

app.use(express.json())

This middleware allows Express to read JSON request bodies and make them available through:

req.body

Without this middleware, Express cannot read JSON request payloads.

---

API Testing

Requests can be tested using the included REST client file:

api-test.rest

Supported tools:

• VS Code REST Client
• Thunder Client
• Postman
• curl

---

Learning Outcome

By completing this project you understand:

• How APIs accept JSON data
• How Express parses request bodies
• How to structure routes and controllers
• How POST APIs work in backend systems

---

Author

Ashish Ranjan

---

Follow me

• GitHub https://github.com/a2rp
• Portfolio https://www.ashishranjan.net
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aashishranjan
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theash.ashish/