I have a growing node.js server application, and I'd like to get it split into several files. Here is a working code snippet demonstrating what monolithic server.js roughly looks like:

var express = require('express');
var app = express();
// other initialization code etc

//************** start of part to be moved foo.js

var fooTestData = {data: "data", id:1};

app.get("/foo/ajax", function(req, res) {
    res.json(fooTestData);
});

// more REST stuff and other foo-specific code

//************** end of part to be moved

// more stuff which remains in server.js

// http://localhost:8888/foo/ajax
app.listen(8888);

An ideal answer has two pieces of code with identical functionality: What server.js looks like after moving the indicated part, and what foo.js looks like with copied code and any needed extra code.

I have a growing node.js server application, and I'd like to get it split into several files. Here is a working code snippet demonstrating what monolithic server.js roughly looks like:

var express = require('express');
var app = express();
// other initialization code etc

//************** start of part to be moved foo.js

var fooTestData = {data: "data", id:1};

app.get("/foo/ajax", function(req, res) {
    res.json(fooTestData);
});

// more REST stuff and other foo-specific code

//************** end of part to be moved

// more stuff which remains in server.js

// http://localhost:8888/foo/ajax
app.listen(8888);

An ideal answer has two pieces of code with identical functionality: What server.js looks like after moving the indicated part, and what foo.js looks like with copied code and any needed extra code.

• javascript
• node.js

Share Improve this question Follow asked Sep 30, 2013 at 13:28 hydehyde 63k2222 gold badges125125 silver badges179179 bronze badges 4

• 1 nodejs/api/modules.html – JohnnyHK Commented Sep 30, 2013 at 13:39
• @JohnnyHK Thanks for the link, it's useful, though I was after a clear before (in question) - after (in answer) example. Which I got. – hyde Commented Sep 30, 2013 at 13:47
• See my reply to the question here: stackoverflow./questions/18789864/… – Slavo Commented Sep 30, 2013 at 15:25
• About suggested duplicate: I think that question is a bit different, about how to generally structure a node.js application. This question has much tighter scope, it is about a concrete pattern with example to convert part of an existing monolithic source to a new module. – hyde Commented Oct 1, 2013 at 5:59

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2 Answers 2

Sorted by: Reset to default 7

foo.js

var fooTestData = {data: "data", id:1};

exports.setApp = function (app) {

    app.get("/foo/ajax", function(req, res) {
        res.json(fooTestData);
    });

    // more REST stuff and other foo-specific code
};

new sever.js

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

require('./foo.js').setApp(app);

// other initialization code etc


// more stuff which remains in server.js

// http://localhost:8888/foo/ajax
app.listen(8888);

It's a simple example. If you need some things more plex you may want to take a look to other express program on github. It could be a good source of inspiration.

I remend you to have a look at some express-based (MVC) frameworks. Have a look at the list of frameworks. Moreover, you might want to check sails.js (express based framework) if you are doing a webservice and municating with it via RESTfull requests. Please note that sails is not limited to RESTfull requests and can help you scale your project out of the box.

Good luck!