Suppose you have a pre-built app operating efficiently via "node whateverhere.js" command in the terminal. But, how do you deploy it to a server? After all, it lacks html or php files, and it's not possible to simply fire up a js file like any other.

I'm particularly keen to understand how to get it functional on a hosting platform.

I must confess that this may seem like a query that could be resolved with a Google search, and believe me, I did try. Despite a 15-minute trawl through the internet, I'm still empty-handed in terms of specific answers. Perhaps my search terms were poorly chosen.

Finally, it's worth noting that deployment of JavaScript applications often involves the use of platforms such as Heroku, AWS, or Docker. They are equipped to handle and run Node.js applications in an efficient manner. Nevertheless, the exact method of deployment can vary depending on the specificities of your app and your server setup.

Deploying a Node.js application to a server typically involves a few steps. Here's a outline of the process:

1. Provision a Server: You'll need to have a server or hosting platform where you can deploy your application. This could be a virtual private server (VPS), cloud platform (like AWS or Google Cloud), or a managed hosting service.

2. Set Up the Server: Once you have a server, you'll need to configure it to support Node.js applications. This involves installing Node.js and any other necessary dependencies.

3. Transfer the App: Next, you'll need to transfer your application files to the server. You can do this using various methods like Secure Copy (SCP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), or Git.

4. Install Dependencies: On the server, navigate to your application's directory and use the terminal to run the command "npm install" to install the app's dependencies listed in the package.json file.

5. Start the Application: To start the application, use the terminal to run the command "node whateverhere.js". This will run your Node.js application on the server.

6. Set up Networking: Ensure that your server is properly configured to handle incoming requests. This may involve setting up firewall rules, configuring domain names, and handling SSL certificates.

7. Test the Application: Access your application using the server's IP address or domain name to verify that it's working correctly.

Here are a few more details on deploying a Node.js application to a hosting platform:

1. Heroku: To deploy your app on Heroku, you'll need to have the Heroku CLI installed. Once set up, you can create a new Heroku app and use the CLI to push your code to Heroku. Heroku will automatically detect that it's a Node.js app, install dependencies using the package.json file, and start your app.

2. AWS Elastic Beanstalk: With AWS Elastic Beanstalk, you can easily deploy your Node.js app by creating an application environment and uploading your code bundle. Elastic Beanstalk will handle the underlying infrastructure and deployment process for you, provisioning resources like EC2 instances, load balancers, and database connections.

3. Docker: Docker allows you to containerize your application, making it easy to deploy across different environments. You can create a Dockerfile that specifies the dependencies and configuration for your app, build a Docker image, and then run that image on any server that has Docker installed.


more details on deploying a Node.js application to a hosting platform:

4. Google Cloud Platform (GCP): GCP offers several options for deploying Node.js applications. You can use services like Google App Engine, which provides a fully managed platform for deploying web applications. With App Engine, you can simply upload your code, and GCP will handle the underlying infrastructure and scaling for you.

5. DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean is a popular cloud computing platform that allows you to deploy your Node.js application. You can create a Droplet (a virtual machine) and install Node.js on it. Then, you can transfer your application files to the Droplet and start your app using the terminal.

6. Azure: Microsoft Azure provides various options for deploying Node.js applications. Azure App Service is a fully managed platform that supports Node.js apps. You can deploy your app by creating an App Service plan, configuring your deployment source, and Azure will handle the rest.

7. Netlify: If your Node.js application is front-end focused, Netlify is a great option. It specializes in deploying static websites and single-page applications. You can connect your project's source code repository to Netlify, and it will automatically build and deploy your app whenever changes are made to the repository.

The contents of the package.json file include the following: a script for starting the server, which uses the server.js file.

Here is an example of how to set up a route for the root of the site '/' in the server.js file, where you can render your HTML template:

```
app.get('/', function (req, res) {
  res.render(__dirname + '/client/views/index');
});
```

To specify the listening port, use the following line of code:

```
http.listen(process.env.PORT || 80);
```

In case the process environment variable PORT is not defined, the server will listen on port 80 by default.

Give the Last service.Backend a shot. It allows you to construct the required infrastructure visually...

The User Guide provides thorough details with the example of node.js application deployment.

Check out the project at http://lastbackend.com, whereas for the User Guide, visit docs.lastbackend.com/guide.

In case you're interested in developing your backend skills further, this platform offers intriguing possibilities. Remember, experimenting with tools like this will boost your understanding of backend infrastructure.

Ensure your app is production-ready by handling environment variables and dependencies. If you're using Heroku, you can simply create a new app with heroku create, push your code using git push heroku main, and set your start script in package.json to "start": "node whateverhere.js". For AWS, you might consider Elastic Beanstalk, where you can upload a ZIP of your app and let AWS handle the deployment.
Docker is another solid choice, you can create a Dockerfile to containerize your app and then deploy it on any cloud provider.