Can't set static folder express.js

Question

I'm trying to set a static folder for my index.html file and other folders like css, img and js scripts. but i don't manage to set a static folder successfully. this is my app.js code:

     const path = require('path');
const express = require('express');
const app = express();


app.use(express.static(path.join(__dirname, 'httpdocs')))
// app.get('/', (req, res) => {
//     res.sendFile('index.html')

// });

const PORT = process.env.PORT || 5000

app.listen(PORT, (err) => {
    if (err) {
        console.log(err);
    }
    console.log(`Listening on port ${PORT}`);

})

my file tree is like this:

---node/
     ------httpdocs (i want this to be static folder
           ---css/
           ---js/
           ---img/
           --index.html (this file should be loaded when loading the root link)
   ---app.js (nodejs script)

ps: im using plesk on windows so if this makes any difference tell me.

Answer 1

I can see the only error is in below line.

app.use(express.static(__dirname + 'httpdocs'))

Try to print below tow different method using console :

console.log(__dirname+ 'httpdocs');
console.log(path.join(__dirname, 'httpdocs'));

Output:

...\nodehttpdocs
...\node\httpdocs

I hope you get the solution.

If you are trying to manually merge path then you have to add path separator '\\' externally

Ex: app.use(express.static(__dirname + '\httpdocs'));

Or else use below method

Ex: app.use(express.static(path.join(__dirname, 'httpdocs')));

I suggest using path.join method. Because it will add path separator based on the operating system. Or else you have to manage manually.