How do I use CSS and JS files within a HTML file being sent with Express?

Question

var express = require('express');
var app = express();

app.get('/', function(req, res) {
    res.sendFile('main.html', { root : __dirname})
});

app.listen(9000, function(){
console.log('Listening on port 9000');
});

This current block of code works fine. Express is required and assigned to the variable app.

A HTML file is then sent (from the same directory) using res.sendFile as part of the app.get method.

Within the HTML file I am referencing a css file in the same directory, yet nothing is happening.

<link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' href='mainstyle.css'>

How am I able to send the CSS file to the browser for use? res.sendFile does not work.

Thanks.

Taintedmedialtd · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-19 16:05:03Z

3

You need to define a static files directory. Create a folder called public and then include this line:

app.use(express.static('public'));

Don't include public in the file path when you include the css file though. All of your static files can go in that folder. Or, better still, create sub-folders for styles, images, fonts etc.

You can read more about it here: https://expressjs.com/en/starter/static-files.html

I think the problem you're having is that you're trying to create a web application from scratch using Express without any of the surrounding functionality. Your app sends a file when you navigate to the URL. It does not listen for specific requests for files and respond to them, it does not handle missing files, server errors etc.

You could do all that from scratch but in fact Express have created an application generator which creates a skeleton app for you with the web server, public folder, routes etc. It's called Express Generator and you can find it here: https://expressjs.com/en/starter/generator.html

That's a brilliant starting point for an MVC application. You get the package.json file for additional node modules, a template engine called Jade (although I prefer Hogan) for dynamic content and once it's created your app, you can fire it up by typing "npm start" in a console window.

edited Oct 19, 2016 at 16:05

answered Oct 19, 2016 at 15:34

Taintedmedialtd

8915 silver badges13 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

6 Comments

Maximillion Bartango Over a year ago

I'll assume that I'm placing my CSS file in the public folder?

Maximillion Bartango Over a year ago

my file structure is:

Maximillion Bartango Over a year ago

public > mainstyle.css main.html app.js Don't suppose anything is wrong?

Maximillion Bartango Over a year ago

That didn't come out right. Anyway, are you sure there is not something I'm missing?

Taintedmedialtd Over a year ago

The answer is quite long so I'm going to try and put it in to my original answer. Bear with me a minute or 2.

|

Mamdouh Saeed · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-19 16:05:07Z

1

try this

var express = require('express');
var app = express();

app.get('/', function(req, res) {
    if(req.url == "/" || req.url == "/main.html"){
res.sendFile('/main.html', { root : __dirname})
}else if(req.url == "/mainstyle.css"){
res.sendFile('mainstyle.css', { root : __dirname})
}
});

app.listen(9000, function(){
console.log('Listening on port 9000');
});

edited Oct 19, 2016 at 16:05

answered Oct 19, 2016 at 15:39

Mamdouh Saeed

2,3251 gold badge12 silver badges11 bronze badges

2 Comments

Maximillion Bartango Over a year ago

I hate to say this didn't do my any favours either. Thank you though.

Mamdouh Saeed Over a year ago

i'm sorry it should be start with slash (/) /main.html not main.html i updated it.

Maximillion Bartango · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-21 16:25:56Z

0

I'm now aware of what was going wrong.

From the instance I started, I was experimenting with different code. The browser than created cache based on the incorrect code my server was providing, so no matter what I changed, the browser was reffering to it's cache to load, in this case, erroneous code.

For everyone who may be experiancing with similar issues when entering the correct code, clear cache history or use a incognito/private browser for developing.

answered Oct 21, 2016 at 16:25

Maximillion Bartango

1,5991 gold badge20 silver badges34 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How do I use CSS and JS files within a HTML file being sent with Express?

3 Answers 3

6 Comments

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

6 Comments

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related