I don't need to get down to bare metal but I like to have a good sense of how/why things work they way the do.

Node.js on its own is quite low level. I do recommend you spend a day playing around with the http module on its own before moving onto connect.

Express builds on top of connect so if you spend a few days playing around with connect and then "upgrade" to express you can start using express without feeling like it's doing all kinds of magic.

All express will offer you from there onwards a nice routing API and a view engine.

Possibly pertinent: I've worked with JavaScript and some libraries (jQuery, Dojo, Raphaeljs, ESRI) for a few years now so I'm not completely js uninitiated.

It's important to come into node with strong JavaScript skills because it makes the learning curve a lot more manageable. The important thing to learn is the asynchronous style of programming (and not making a mess of you code!)

Answer from Raynos on Stack Overflow
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/node › node.js + express.js, or node.js alone?
r/node on Reddit: Node.js + Express.js, or Node.js alone?
January 31, 2024 -

So I wanted to learn Node.Js thoroughly and recently I’ve been learning Node.js from online tutorial and it seems they are focusing on Node.js with express.js and not Node.js alone. Is it okay to learn it with express? Or should I complete this course and later learn few other things, OR, skip this course and learn only Nodejs??????? (In my company I want to switch internally where they require Node.js developer with some exp.)

People also ask

Are Express.js and Node.js the same thing?
No, Express.js and Node.js are not the same thing. Node.js is a runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript on the server side, while Express.js is a web application framework built on top of Node.js to simplify building web applications.
🌐
radixweb.com
radixweb.com › blog › nodejs-vs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences for Your Web App Success
What are some common pitfalls when using Node.js or Express.js?
Pitfalls include callback hell and insufficient error handling, impacting code readability and application stability.
🌐
simplilearn.com
simplilearn.com › home › resources › software development › express.js vs node.js: unraveling the web development enigma
Express.js vs Node.js: Unraveling the Web Development Enigma
Is it required to learn Node.js before diving into Express.js?
It's not mandatory, but it's highly recommended. Learning Node.js first will give you a better understanding of the server-side JavaScript environment, which will be beneficial when working with Express.js.
🌐
radixweb.com
radixweb.com › blog › nodejs-vs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences for Your Web App Success
🌐
DEV Community
dev.to › amrelmohamady › why-frontend-developers-should-learn-node-js-and-express-1n5m
Why Frontend Developers Should Learn Node.js and Express? - DEV Community
October 21, 2022 - Yes with JavaScript you can make some great web applications, but in my opinion, if you want to call yourself a full-stack developer you should know and be proficient in the whole field, front-end (front basic html/ css/ js to a specific framework or library), backend (not only node & express) and storage management (not only document-oriented databases but also relational databases).
🌐
freeCodeCamp
forum.freecodecamp.org › t › is-it-ok-to-learn-in-express-js-before-node-js › 498694
Is it ok to learn in express.js before node.js
January 26, 2022 - Node.js, is a runtime for JavaScript. This means Node.js can run JavaScript code, and use it to “do stuffs”. Traditionally when you think of JavaScript, you think of the browser as the place “it runs”. Node.js can support most of what the browser supports, but not everything.
🌐
Radixweb
radixweb.com › blog › nodejs-vs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences for Your Web App Success
July 11, 2024 - Explore the differences between Node.js and Express.js in our comprehensive blog, helping you understand when to use each for your web development projects.
🌐
Elluminati Inc
elluminatiinc.com › node-js-vs-express-js
Node.js vs Express.js: The Right Pick for Your Next Project - Elluminati Inc.
May 29, 2025 - Since most of the syntax is the same, learning Node Js will take you less time if you are already familiar with a js framework. The architecture of Node JS uses a single-threaded event loop.
Find elsewhere
🌐
Quora
quora.com › What-should-I-master-Node-js-or-Express-js
What should I master, Node.js or Express.js? - Quora
Answer (1 of 9): Answering that is difficult, because Node.js is essentially a platform if you will based off JavaScript, and Express.js is a module inside Node.js. Should you learn Node.js? Of course! It's rising in popularity, it's not too ...
🌐
Simplilearn
simplilearn.com › home › resources › software development › express.js vs node.js: unraveling the web development enigma
Express.js vs Node.js: Unraveling the Web Development Enigma
July 31, 2025 - Explore the battle of Express.js vs Node.js: Which is better for your project? Dive into a detailed comparison & make an informed decision for your web development needs.
Address   5851 Legacy Circle, 6th Floor, Plano, TX 75024 United States
🌐
Scaler
scaler.com › topics › express-js-vs-node-js
Express.js vs Node.js - Scaler Topics
May 17, 2023 - ExpressJS can help you cut your programming time while building the backend of apps. express js vs node js are both straightforward languages to learn and control with an extremely adaptable and accessible structure.
🌐
MilesWeb
milesweb.com › home › node.js vs express.js: which one you should opt for?
Node.js vs Express.js: Which One You Should Opt For?
August 26, 2024 - Likewise, since NodeJS and ExpressJS ... to learn and control, the structure is exceptionally adaptable and accessible. You can construct sites, web applications, and even cross-stage viable versatile applications. ExpressJS has a place with “Microframeworks (Backend)” classification of the tech stack, while Node.js can be ...
🌐
Softude
softude.com › home › expressjs vs nodejs: a developer’s guide to choose the right backend technology
Express.js vs Node.js: Which Backend Technology Should You Choose?
May 22, 2024 - Confused about whether to choose ExpressJS or NodeJS for web app development? It’s not uncommon to get stuck at this point, many struggle just like you. One is a framework whereas the other is a runtime environment. Both are perfect for developing web applications, but what makes one better than the other? Check out everything in our comparison blog- Express.js vs Node.js.
🌐
Zero To Mastery
zerotomastery.io › blog › should-i-learn-node-js
Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Learn Node.js | Zero To Mastery
January 13, 2024 - Community is key to the success of any product or technology, and Node is no exception. It helps you learn, while also growing out quality of life features. ... When I first started using Node.js ten years ago, high-quality documentation was lacking. Oftentimes the best resource was a paperback book that used outdated versions of Node and every other dependency. Many of the best practices used for writing Express.js servers were taken from the Ruby programming language and its Sinatra framework.
🌐
Bigrock
bigrock.in › home › how-tos › learning and resources › what is the difference between node.js and express.js?
What is the Difference Between Node.js and Express.js? - Bigrock
August 7, 2024 - 4 MINS READ Node.js enables JavaScript to run on servers, while Express.js extends Node.js by offering a higher-level, feature-rich framework specifically tailored for web application development, thus speeding up development and enhancing ...
🌐
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › node.js › node-js-vs-express-js
Node vs Express - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - This article will explain what Node.js and Express are, their key differences, and when to use each. ... Node JS is an open-source and cross-platform runtime environment for executing JavaScript code outside of a browser. You need to remember that Node JS is not a framework and it’s not a programming language. Most people are confused and understand it’s a framework or a programming language.
🌐
iSpeech
zignuts.com › blog › nodejs-expressjs
Node.js vs Express.js: Key Differences & Comparison Guide
However, understanding when to use one over the other depends on your project: Choose Node.js if you need a raw, flexible runtime to build custom solutions for file handling, streaming, or networking.
🌐
Curotec
curotec.com › home › insights › node.js vs. express.js – how to use them together
Node.js vs. Express.js - Which is Better? Use Them Together
August 5, 2025 - A Collaborative duo for building efficient web applications that enhance UX When you’re diving into backend development, especially within the JavaScript ecosystem, Node.js and Express.js are two technologies you’ll encounter frequently. However, rather than being alternatives, they are designed to work together, each bringing something essential to the table.
🌐
YouTube
youtube.com › freecodecamp.org
Node.js and Express.js - Full Course - YouTube
Learn how to use Node and Express in this comprehensive course. First, you will learn the fundamentals of Node and Express. Then, you will learn to build a c...
Published   April 1, 2021
Views   3M