8.6: API Front End Client - Programming with Text | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn how to create a front-end client for an API using Node.js, including hosting static files and sending data to the server.

Key Insights

• 👻 Building your own API using Node.js allows for custom data storage and server-side programming.
• 👻 Express.js makes it easy to host static files in Node.js.
• ❤️‍🩹 P5.js can be used to create interactive front-end elements and interact with APIs.
• 🔠 Using relative paths in the loadJson function simplifies API querying in the client.
• ❤️‍🩹 In the front-end, select() enables access to DOM elements, such as input fields and buttons.
• 🏣 POST requests are typically used to send data to a server, while GET requests retrieve data.
• 🌥️ The tutorial focuses on the basics and mentions that in larger scenarios, POST requests may be necessary.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why would someone want to build their own API?

Building your own API allows for custom data storage and server-side functionality, which can be helpful for personal projects or communication between a front-end and back-end.

Q: How can you host static files in Node.js?

Express.js has the ability to host static files. Simply create a directory with the desired files and use Express's static() middleware to serve them.

Q: What is the purpose of the loadJson function in the front-end client?

The loadJson function is used to make GET requests to the server's routes and retrieve data. It utilizes relative paths to query different routes easily.

Q: How can you send data to the server using P5.js?

P5.js provides the select() function to access DOM elements. In this case, you can select the submit button and attach a click event to call a function that retrieves word and score values from input fields.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video tutorial covers the process of adding a front-end client to an API using Node.js.

• It discusses the reasons for building an API and the possibility of opening it up for other clients.

• The tutorial demonstrates how to host static files, add P5.js sketches, and interact with the API by sending and receiving data.