how to run node.js client on browser

Question

everyone

I'm very new to node.js. I'm trying to do a tcp server <-> client using node.js. So far so good. The server script can be run Ok. Also the client script can be run OK.

But the problem is I could only get the client to run from the terminal by typing command (node client.js).
The thing is I would like to run it in a browser so I could take the data received from server display on browser.

How do I do that?

Please help.

Kawin.

This is the client code. (I can't remember who originally created this script. I copy and paste it from somewhere but forget to bookmark from which I get the link. Sorry for not putting the credit to the owner of this script.)

var net = require('net');

var HOST = '192.168.0.88';
var PORT = 8888;

var client = new net.Socket();
client.connect(PORT, HOST, function() {

    console.log('CONNECTED TO: ' + HOST + ':' + PORT);
    // Write a message to the socket as soon as the client is connected, the   server will receive it as message from the client 
    client.write('B2\r\n');
});

// Add a 'data' event handler for the client socket
// data is what the server sent to this socket
client.on('data', function(data) {
    console.log('DATA: ' + data);
    // Close the client socket completely
    client.destroy();
});

// Add a 'close' event handler for the client socket
client.on('close', function() {
    console.log('Connection closed');
});

Thank you.

"How do I do that?" You can't. Node.js and the browser are two different environments. If you use a feature that is unique to an environment (such as TCP sockets), you can't use the same script in other environments. — Felix Kling
– Felix Kling, Commented Jan 21, 2015 at 4:20
Thank you. so i think i might have to change my plan to acheive this. — Kawin Netvichitpan
– Kawin Netvichitpan, Commented Jan 21, 2015 at 6:32

Paul · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-21 04:22:11Z

12

Node.js is not browser javascript. There are many parts of it that use OS features not available in a browser context. The way to do what you're looking to do while staying in the browser for the client, is to not use a TCP socket, but instead look into WebSockets (e.g. socket.io, which offers server and browser clients).

answered Jan 21, 2015 at 4:22

Paul

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Anbesa · Accepted Answer · 2021-05-21 08:12:41Z

10

Times are changing. It's just been announced that it might be possible to use node.js in the browser soon. Check out this link: Run Node.js in the browser

answered May 21, 2021 at 8:12

Anbesa

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1 Comment

chrismarx Over a year ago

So it's doable, but I don't think the Stackblitz implementation is open-source/available :(

Markus Safar · Accepted Answer · 2016-02-04 10:05:36Z

-8

The thing is I would like to run it in a browser so I could take the data received from server display on browser.

I think you need 'http' module.

var http=require('http');
var server=http.Server(function(req,res) {
    res.end('<p>hello world</p><script>alert("hello world")</script>');
});

server.listen(8080);

so you can get data from browser side by typing URL 'localhost:8080'

edited Feb 4, 2016 at 10:05

Markus Safar

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answered Jan 21, 2015 at 8:09

dayuoba

11 bronze badge

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