What are Restful routes in Node.js?

Overview

The relationship between the client end and server end of an application is facilitated by a principle called REpresentational State Transfer (REST).

When a user engages a web application or a website and navigates through its pages, a state transition takes place. This state transition is made possible by (REST), which helps to map the client endthe HTTP verbs/methods to the server endthe CRUD method together. Each time we have a web application or website obey this REST principle, we can say it is RESTful in nature.

Restful routing in Node.js

Routing on its own is essential in websites and web applications due to the transfer of data from the user end to the server end, as well as a request of data by the user from the client end to the server end. Routing in Node.js is made possible through the express.js library.

Restful routing consists of much data manipulation. Restful routes are unique, as they can receive HTTP method requests and connect that with a corresponding controller action that has that method and URL. The code is then executed, and the required response to the client is delivered to the client end of the application.

Conventional URLs used on websites make it possible for one to both delete and update personal profiles on web applications. Restful routes make this particular art of data manipulation very simple. One can make use of the mongoDB database and express.js library in a Node.js terminal.

For Restful routes to be possible, one must ensure:

  • The use of HTTP and HTTP methods/verbs: These are methods that are HTTP supported, e.g., POST, GET, PUT, etc.

  • Separate client from server: There should be a clear difference between the client end and the server end.

  • To not hold state between requests: Clear definition of information. For example, a POST request should have a corresponding response that would give the desired output.

  • Reliability: The routing should have no loose ends. Restful routes can be used to set up blogs more frequently. The table below is a Restful route guide for a simple blog.

Restful routes

NAME

PATH

HTTP VERB/METHOD

REASON/PURPOSE

INDEX

/BLOG

GET

LISTS ALL BLOGS

NEW

/BLOG/NEW

GET

SHOWS NEW FORM FOR NEW BLOG ENTRY

CREATE

/BLOG

POST

CREATES A NEW BLOG POST

SHOW

/BLOG/:ID

GET

SHOWS THE BLOG POST WITH THE GIVEN ID

EDIT

/BLOG/:ID/EDIT

GET

EDIT THE BLOG POST WITH THE GIVEN ID

UPDATE

/BLOG/:ID

PUT

UPDATE THE BLOG POST WITH THE GIVEN ID

DESTROY

/BLOG/:ID

DELETE

DELETE THE BLOG POST WITH THE GIVEN ID