Recommended location of node.js applications in linux filesystem?

Question

Where is the conventionally accepted location of node.js/express web apps, in a linux file system?

Currently I've got a subdirectory in /opt/ but I'd like to hear other people's view on this...

Answer 1

The /opt directory is a good location for the program distribution files. The /srv directory is used for the programs run-time data. (Please see the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard.) Unlike the /etc directory where the standard indicates that the /opt/<pkg> configuration files should be placed in /etc/opt/<pkg>, there is no standardization that /srv/opt/<pkg> should be a parallel structure (although it's probably not a bad idea).

In summary:

/opt/webserver/     (your node.js application)
    server.js
    package.json
    node_modules/
    ...

/etc/opt/webserver/
    config.json     (configuration file for your web server)

/srv/opt/webserver/ (opt subdirectory suggested, but not required)
    index.html
    images/
    css/
    ...

/var/opt/webserver
    error.log
    request.log

Please keep in mind that this is the general case, and is not unique to express applicaitons.

Hope that helps,

Frank

Answer 2

The most appropriate place would be under /srv.