The HTTP Server object is very close to the HTTP protocol. While this is powerful in the same way that driving a stick shift car gives you better control, the typical web application programming is better done at a higher level. It's better to abstract away the HTTP details and concentrate on your application.

The Node developer community has developed quite a few modules to help with different aspects of abstracting away HTTP protocol details. A good list of these are on the Node modules wiki at https://github.com/joyent/node/wiki/modules#wiki-web-frameworks.

Routers assist with routing incoming HTTP requests to handler functions. Some of these behave similarly to other application frameworks like Rails or Sinatra.

Static file servers perform the normal function of serving up a directory hierarchy of files.

The Frameworks provide support for developing applications. Some are inspired by other frameworks like Django, Rails, WebMachine, or CakePHP. Most provide...