Using ExpressJS' built-in middleware function for serving static assets

Prior to the 4.x version of ExpressJS, it has depended on ConnectJS which is an HTTP server framework https://github.com/senchalabs/connect. In fact, most middleware written for ConnectJS is also supported in ExpressJS.

As from the 4.x version of ExpressJS, it no longer depends on ConnectJS, and all previously built-in middleware functions were moved to separate modules https://expressjs.com/en/resources/middleware.html.

ExpressJS 4.x and newer versions include only two built-in middleware functions. The first one has already been seen: the built-in error handler middleware function. The second one is the express.static middleware function that is responsible for serving static assets.

The express.static middleware function is based on serve-static module https://expressjs.com/en/resources/middleware/serve-static.html.

The main difference between express.static and serve-static is that the second one can be used outside of ExpressJS.