Node.js example scripts

Overview

This article lists a few simple Node.js examples you can use to test your installation.

The version of Passenger running on DreamHost servers does not currently function with Node.js versions 14+.

Test if node is working

Create and run this script within your terminal to determine if Node.js was installed correctly.

  1. Create a file named helloworld.js with the following line:
    console.log('Hello World!');
  2. Run the script using the node command.
    [server]$ node HelloWorld.js
    Hello World!
    

    If Node.js is correctly installed, you will see the console respond with Hello World!

Node.js script example

You can also create a basic HTTP server to load a site.

  1. Create a file in your application directory (example.com) named app.js with the following code:
    var http = require("http");
    
    http.createServer(function(request, response) {
      response.writeHead(200, {"Content-Type": "text/plain"});
      response.write("Hello World. This page is running Node.js version: ");
      response.write(process.version);
      response.end();
    }).listen(8888);
    
    • This HTTP server will listen on port 8888.
  2. Start the server by running the following:
    [server]$ node app.js

    Viewing your domain with a port bound to it only functions for VPS and Dedicated Servers.

    Visit the page in a browser with port 8888 appended to the end. For example:
    http://example.com:8888
    If running correctly, your site will display the following:
    Hello World. This page is running Node.js version: v12.16.3

Loading your application on port 80 and 443

If you have enabled Passenger in your panel for Node.js, and the file to load your application is named app.js, your Node.js site will automatically load on port 80 and 443 without needing to manually start the server. View the following article for further details.

Troubleshooting

View the following article if you find your script is not using your custom version of Node.js or updates to the script do not display.

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