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JavaScript Express Basics Parameters, Query Strings, and Modularizing Routes Modular Routes

Michael Pashkov
Michael Pashkov
22,024 Points
Posted by Michael Pashkov
Michael Pashkov
22,024 Points

Why is dot in front of ('./routes')?

Hi, guys! Why is dot in front of routes? const routes = require('./routes'), why not just const routes = require('/routes') - without dot.

2 Answers

jobbol
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
jobbol
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 17,885 Points
jobbol
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
jobbol
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 17,885 Points

So I spun up a workspace using both the dot-slash and the slash. I also tried other means such as the module name alone. I found node will throw an error if you use anything other than the dot-slash.

You can fork it from here and experiment yourself.

I believe the dot-slash is necessary because you always start from an absolute path or a relative path. It has to know which one it's using. Absolute paths begin like C:\ or http://. Relative paths begin like ./ or ../.

Can't find any sources confirming this behavior though.

Interesting question.

fofo you
PLUS
fofo you
Courses Plus Student 472 Points
fofo you
fofo you
Courses Plus Student 472 Points

I think this would be useful https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8131344/what-is-the-difference-between-dirname-and-in-node-js