Free Node.js & Full-Stack Hosting on Render:
The Definitive Developer Masterclass

// server.js - 100% Free Render-Ready Express Server
const express = require('express');
const app = express();

// IMPORTANT: Render automatically assigns process.env.PORT (defaults to 10000)
const PORT = process.env.PORT || 10000;

app.use(express.json());

// Main status endpoint
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.json({
    status: 'online',
    platform: 'Render.com Free Tier',
    serverTime: new Date().toISOString(),
    maintainedBy: 'ChittorTech Developer Guide'
  });
});

// CRITICAL: Health-check endpoint for 24/7 Keep-Alive Pings
app.get('/health', (req, res) => {
  res.status(200).send('OK - Server is Awake');
});

// Always listen on '0.0.0.0' for Render container routing
app.listen(PORT, '0.0.0.0', () => {
  console.log(`Server actively listening on port ${PORT}`);
});