Learn HAPI with Real Code Examples

Hapi provides a robust plugin-based architecture for modularity and reusability.

Supports routing, input validation, caching, authentication, and error handling out of the box.

Highly configurable for enterprise-grade applications.

Integrates easily with other Node.js libraries and databases.

Emphasizes maintainable code and standardized practices across teams.

Routing and request lifecycle management

Plugins for modular functionality

Input validation and error handling

Caching and session support

Authentication and authorization strategies

Server - main application instance

Route - maps HTTP requests to handlers

Handler - function processing request and returning response

Plugin - modular package adding functionality

Lifecycle methods - hooks during request/response handling

server.js - main application entry point

routes/ - route definitions

handlers/ - route logic

plugins/ - modular features

package.json - project dependencies

Initialize Hapi server

Define routes and handlers

Register plugins for modular features

Add authentication and validation

Start server and handle incoming requests

Beginner: hello-world HTTP server

Intermediate: REST API with Joi validation

Advanced: API with caching and authentication

Expert: large-scale modular Hapi microservices

Enterprise: secure, configurable, plugin-based web apps

Hapi vs Express: Hapi more structured, Express more minimal

Hapi vs Fastify: Hapi richer features, Fastify optimized for speed

Hapi vs Koa: Hapi configuration-driven, Koa middleware-centric

Hapi vs NestJS: NestJS TypeScript-first, Hapi JavaScript/TS flexible

Hapi vs LoopBack: Hapi general-purpose, LoopBack API-first design

2011 - Initial release by Eran Hammer

2012 - Hapi 1.0 stable

2015 - Hapi 8.x with plugin architecture stabilization

2018 - Hapi 17.x async/await support

2025 - Hapi latest stable with modern Node.js features

Server - Hapi application instance

Route - URL and method mapping to handler

Handler - processes requests and returns responses

Plugin - modular feature extension

Lifecycle method - hook in request/response processing