Build HTTP APIs with routing, middleware, validation, controllers, and error handling.
Lessons
Write functions with (req, res, next) and call next correctly.
Middleware Basics is easiest to learn by reading the example, changing it, and observing the result.
import express from 'express';
const app = express();
// Custom middleware runs on every request
function requestTimer(req, res, next) {
const start = Date.now();
res.on('finish', () => {
console.log(`${req.method} ${req.url} - ${Date.now() - start}ms`);
});
next(); // pass control to the next handler
}
app.use(requestTimer);
app.get('/api/lessons', (req, res) => res.json({ lessons: [] }));
app.listen(3000);Practice the Middleware Basics example in a small scratch file, then explain what changed and why.