Announcement

**kkfin** · 10-16-2015, 05:16 PM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Solved.

'use strict';
(for some reason this syntax gives error in Alphas js-editor so you have to use third party editor as usually.)

Also in this case you should use pretty urls to call index.htm page

**tiago** · 12-14-2015, 07:57 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Can some one, post a basic example of express server working in Alpha, please?

If I consider express as a module, Alpha can't locate it in node_modules.

Code:

node_request("express",p2,.f.,.f.)

Any ideas?

**Steve Workings** · 12-14-2015, 08:14 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Do you use a load balancer? We built a websocket feature, but have discovered that the load balancer wasn't managing it properly, and I wonder if that's a factor for those here. Alpha's done all they can, which puts the ball in the ISP's court. Like many here, we use a shared balancer with Zebrahost. But because it's shared, our ability to configure it is quite limited. And a private load balancer is expensive. This week Zebrahost is testing another load balancer, which I hope will offer a solution.

**tiago** · 12-14-2015, 08:38 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Thanks for you reply.

What I want from using express is to be able to define routes and implement a REST api in a simple and clear way.
For example, users calls index.a5w page, which calls express module.
The module 'express' process the request and redirect to the function which give the response, like the previous example in this thread.
It is this possible to do with Alpha?

**kkfin** · 12-14-2015, 09:25 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Originally posted by tiago View Post

Can some one, post a basic example of express server working in Alpha, please?

If I consider express as a module, Alpha can't locate it in node_modules.

Code:

node_request("express",p2,.f.,.f.)

Any ideas?

Your node_request function first parameter "express" is your node service file express.js This file you have to write self.

The Node module you want to use you can install or copy to server root sub folder. Then you can require module in your express.js service.

**tiago** · 12-14-2015, 10:18 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Thanks Ken.

From your post I did that but without success, the response is:

{"_id":"55550a79-e6a8-4319-bf4b-4f4ff3d1e684","error":"Cannot find module 'express'","result":null}

Ok, I will explain my setup.

index.a5w

Code:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>NodeJS - Express</title>
</head>
<body>

<%a5
debug(1)
dim p2 as p
p2.firstname = "John"
p2.lastname  = "Presley"
'?node_request("hello",p2,.f.,.f.)

?node_request("myexpress",p2,.f.,.f.)
%>
</body>
</html>

In folder Default.WebProject I have the folder "node" with:

Code:

node/
  node_service.js
  node_service/
    hello.js
    myexpress.js

The hello module works ok.

So the problem is in the myexpress.js, how to get the script var express = require("express");
Since it is located in: C:\Program Files (x86)\a5V12\node_modules\express

Do node.js need to setup the NODE_PATH ?

Code:

var eventId = 0;
exports.handler = function(packet,response,sendResponse) {
	var e;
	try {
	     var express = require("express");
	     var app = express();
	     var port = packet.port || 3700;
	     //--------------------------------------------
	     app.use('/*.a5w', function (req, res, next) {
	     		var eventCallback = function(data) {
	     			if( data.content ) {
	     				res.send(data.content);
	     			} else if( data.error ) {
		       			res.send("ERROR: "+data.error );
	       			} else {
	       				res.send("Bad result packet, no content or error defined." );
	       			}
	     		};
	     		++eventId;
	     		console.log('Callback to a5');
	     		sendResponse( { _id : ("event."+eventId) , _command : "a5w" , url : req.originalUrl } , null , eventCallback );
	     });
	     //--------------------------------------------
	     app.get("/", function(req, res) {
			res.send("Root handler");
	     });
	     app.listen(port);
	     response.result = "Listening on port " + port
	} catch( e ) {
	    response.error = e.message;
	}
	sendResponse(response);
};

**kkfin** · 12-14-2015, 10:37 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Error tells that node service do not find express module.

You do not have node_modules folder in node folder. Put inside node_modules folder the node express module. (copy from Alpha install directory or use npm)

**tiago** · 12-14-2015, 10:53 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

It works now Ken.
Thank you so much.

The result is:
http://localhost:3700/
Root handler

I will explore this very important Alpha new feature (but hidden and undocumented feature).

Just another question:
It's normal the following behavior then I just refresh web page?
{"_id":"df23a2a9-0c9e-4314-9e65-2e572c2bdd0a","error":"","result":"Listening on port 3700"}
{ "id" : "a06d8ad1-ea00-4622-a904-c826591dbe47" , "error" : "node stopped running" }

When I refresh the web page, it oscilate between an error and a normal result...

**kkfin** · 12-14-2015, 10:55 AM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

node_request function is just a wrapper function to the original xbasic node dim n as helper::v8 and so on syntax.
node_request use root folder the other syntax Alphas install folder.

Error is error.

**lilmofo812** · 12-19-2015, 01:16 PM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

So I have this going in a another thread but to keep things simple, is it possible that node.js services will be rendered broken because my server was recently converted to HTTPS? I can run the node.Js services perfectly fine when on my server and in working preview within Alpha development but when I try and run them from published components or pages it looks like the NodeRequest() isn't occurring, any ideas on a fix?

**kkfin** · 12-19-2015, 01:59 PM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

I am using reverse proxy frontend with AA server so SSL is installed to reverse proxy. That in my case means that node ( and AA server) is running all the time localhost for example node 127.0.0.1:3000 but I call it https://myserver.com:4430/index.htm . I can also call it without ssl for example http://myserver.com:3001/index.htm so reverse proxy supports dual host.

**lilmofo812** · 12-19-2015, 02:07 PM

Re: Alphas node express server post data problem

Originally posted by kkfin View Post

I am using reverse proxy frontend with AA server so SSL is installed to reverse proxy. That in my case means that node ( and AA server) is running all the time localhost for example node 127.0.0.1:3000 but I call it https://myserver.com:4430/index.htm . I can also call it without ssl for example http://myserver.com:3001/index.htm so reverse proxy supports dual host.

I'm using zebrahost and they are the ones that set up the SSL (I've sent their support an email hoping they may know of what is causing the issue), but I'm not sure how I would go about implementing what you've stated above as I don't know where they installed the SSL too (and not sure how I go about finding it on the server)?

Announcement

The Alpha Software Forum Participation Guidelines

Alphas node express server post data problem

Alphas node express server post data problem

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment