Proposal: Integrate Express-like Functionality into Node.js Core

[DeveloperAnuragsrivastav]

What is the problem this feature will solve?

Problem Statement :
Currently, developers rely on Express.js to streamline backend development with Node.js. While Node.js provides core HTTP capabilities, setting up a server with native http module requires additional configurations, middleware handling, and route management, which Express simplifies. However, Express needs to be installed separately, adding an extra dependency and an additional layer of abstraction.

What is the feature you are proposing to solve the problem?

Proposed Solution:
Integrating essential Express-like functionality directly into Node.js core can significantly improve development speed and reduce dependency overhead. Features like:

• Built-in Routing System (similar to app.get(), app.post())
• Middleware Support (request parsing, logging, error handling)
• Automatic JSON Parsing (removing the need for manual req.on('data',...))
• Better Request & Response Handling (simpler res.send(), res.json())

This would eliminate the need to install an external package just to build a basic web server while keeping Node.js lightweight.

Benefits

1. Performance Optimization: A built-in solution could be more efficient than an external package.
2. Faster Development: Reduces boilerplate code and improves productivity.
3. Lower Dependency Management: Fewer external dependencies mean better security and maintenance.
4. Standardization: Encourages a uniform approach to backend development with Node.js.

Conclusion
By adding Express-like features natively to Node.js, developers can build scalable applications more efficiently while keeping the ecosystem streamlined. This approach aligns with modern backend development trends and can significantly enhance the developer experience.

What alternatives have you considered?

No response

[bjohansebas]

express is made up of several modules that have been developed to fulfill specific functions. The features you propose are basically what Express does (since Express is quite minimalist and, therefore, easy to extend). Integrating it into nodejs would only add maintenance load to the node maintainers. This could have been valid if express hadn't been maintained again.

express might not have the same performance as Fastify, but that could change in the coming months/years (see expressjs/discussions#306).

-1 from my side.