How to Build Ajax Autocomplete Search in Node with MySQL

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Digamber in Node JS

Node MySQL Ajax Autocomplete tutorial; If you want to code your own autocomplete search rather than using the ready made or module based instant search bar, this step-by-step guide will show you simple and the best ways.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create autocomplete search in Node js using Express, MySQL, Body Parser, Ejs, and Nodemon packages.

We will begin with creating a simple node app from absolute scratch and create the database connection by connecting the node app to the MySQL database with utter consensus.

To build the instant search module in node, we need to install and use express, mysql, ejs, and body-parser modules. We will show you how to use them in node to build a live search component.

Node Js MySQL jQuery Ajax Autocomplete Search Example

Step 1: Set Up Node App
Step 2: Install NPM Dependencies
Step 3: Create Database Table
Step 4: Connect to Database
Step 5: Create Simple Autocomplete Form
Step 6: Create Server File
Step 7: Serve Node Application

Set Up Node App

Type and run the offered command to create a new directory for our node project.

mkdir node-blog-demo

Next, enter inside the app folder.

cd node-blog-demo

A package.json file is needed in the node project for adding and keeping information of the modules.

npm init

Install NPM Dependencies

Open the terminal again, put the given command, add the following command, and run the command to install the npm dependencies.

ejs mysql nodemon body-parser express

Create Database Table

To create a table in the MySQL database, open the phpMyAdmin, type the given query and run this sql query to create the table and insert the records.

CREATE DATABASE test;

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `countries` (
  `id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  `iso` char(2) NOT NULL,
  `name` varchar(80) NOT NULL,
  `nicename` varchar(80) NOT NULL,
  `iso3` char(3) DEFAULT NULL,
  `numcode` smallint(6) DEFAULT NULL,
  `phonecode` int(5) NOT NULL,
  PRIMARY KEY (`id`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM  DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;

--
-- Dumping data for table `country`
--

INSERT INTO `country` (`id`, `iso`, `name`, `nicename`, `iso3`, `numcode`, `phonecode`) VALUES
(1, 'AF', 'AFGHANISTAN', 'Afghanistan', 'AFG', 4, 93),
(2, 'AL', 'ALBANIA', 'Albania', 'ALB', 8, 355),
(3, 'DZ', 'ALGERIA', 'Algeria', 'DZA', 12, 213),
(4, 'AS', 'AMERICAN SAMOA', 'American Samoa', 'ASM', 16, 1684),
(5, 'AD', 'ANDORRA', 'Andorra', 'AND', 20, 376),
(6, 'AO', 'ANGOLA', 'Angola', 'AGO', 24, 244),
(7, 'AI', 'ANGUILLA', 'Anguilla', 'AIA', 660, 1264),
(8, 'AQ', 'ANTARCTICA', 'Antarctica', NULL, NULL, 0),
(9, 'AG', 'ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA', 'Antigua and Barbuda', 'ATG', 28, 1268),
(10, 'AR', 'ARGENTINA', 'Argentina', 'ARG', 32, 54),
(11, 'AM', 'ARMENIA', 'Armenia', 'ARM', 51, 374),
(12, 'AW', 'ARUBA', 'Aruba', 'ABW', 533, 297),
(13, 'AU', 'AUSTRALIA', 'Australia', 'AUS', 36, 61),
(14, 'AT', 'AUSTRIA', 'Austria', 'AUT', 40, 43),
(15, 'AZ', 'AZERBAIJAN', 'Azerbaijan', 'AZE', 31, 994),
(16, 'BS', 'BAHAMAS', 'Bahamas', 'BHS', 44, 1242),
(17, 'BH', 'BAHRAIN', 'Bahrain', 'BHR', 48, 973),
(18, 'BD', 'BANGLADESH', 'Bangladesh', 'BGD', 50, 880),
(19, 'BB', 'BARBADOS', 'Barbados', 'BRB', 52, 1246),
(20, 'BY', 'BELARUS', 'Belarus', 'BLR', 112, 375),
(21, 'BE', 'BELGIUM', 'Belgium', 'BEL', 56, 32),
(22, 'BZ', 'BELIZE', 'Belize', 'BLZ', 84, 501),
(23, 'BJ', 'BENIN', 'Benin', 'BEN', 204, 229),
(24, 'BM', 'BERMUDA', 'Bermuda', 'BMU', 60, 1441),
(25, 'BT', 'BHUTAN', 'Bhutan', 'BTN', 64, 975),
(26, 'BO', 'BOLIVIA', 'Bolivia', 'BOL', 68, 591),
(27, 'BA', 'BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA', 'Bosnia and Herzegovina', 'BIH', 70, 387),
(28, 'BW', 'BOTSWANA', 'Botswana', 'BWA', 72, 267),
(29, 'BV', 'BOUVET ISLAND', 'Bouvet Island', NULL, NULL, 0),
(30, 'BR', 'BRAZIL', 'Brazil', 'BRA', 76, 55),
(31, 'IO', 'BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY', 'British Indian Ocean Territory', NULL, NULL, 246),
(32, 'BN', 'BRUNEI DARUSSALAM', 'Brunei Darussalam', 'BRN', 96, 673),
(33, 'BG', 'BULGARIA', 'Bulgaria', 'BGR', 100, 359),
(34, 'BF', 'BURKINA FASO', 'Burkina Faso', 'BFA', 854, 226),
(35, 'BI', 'BURUNDI', 'Burundi', 'BDI', 108, 257),
(36, 'KH', 'CAMBODIA', 'Cambodia', 'KHM', 116, 855),
(37, 'CM', 'CAMEROON', 'Cameroon', 'CMR', 120, 237),
(38, 'CA', 'CANADA', 'Canada', 'CAN', 124, 1),
(39, 'CV', 'CAPE VERDE', 'Cape Verde', 'CPV', 132, 238),
(40, 'KY', 'CAYMAN ISLANDS', 'Cayman Islands', 'CYM', 136, 1345),
(41, 'CF', 'CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC', 'Central African Republic', 'CAF', 140, 236),
(42, 'TD', 'CHAD', 'Chad', 'TCD', 148, 235),
(43, 'CL', 'CHILE', 'Chile', 'CHL', 152, 56),
(44, 'CN', 'CHINA', 'China', 'CHN', 156, 86),
(45, 'CX', 'CHRISTMAS ISLAND', 'Christmas Island', NULL, NULL, 61),
(46, 'CC', 'COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS', 'Cocos (Keeling) Islands', NULL, NULL, 672),
(47, 'CO', 'COLOMBIA', 'Colombia', 'COL', 170, 57),
(48, 'KM', 'COMOROS', 'Comoros', 'COM', 174, 269),
(49, 'CG', 'CONGO', 'Congo', 'COG', 178, 242),
(50, 'CD', 'CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE', 'Congo, the Democratic Republic of the', 'COD', 180, 242),
(51, 'CK', 'COOK ISLANDS', 'Cook Islands', 'COK', 184, 682),
(52, 'CR', 'COSTA RICA', 'Costa Rica', 'CRI', 188, 506),
(53, 'CI', 'COTE D''IVOIRE', 'Cote D''Ivoire', 'CIV', 384, 225),
(54, 'HR', 'CROATIA', 'Croatia', 'HRV', 191, 385),
(55, 'CU', 'CUBA', 'Cuba', 'CUB', 192, 53),
(56, 'CY', 'CYPRUS', 'Cyprus', 'CYP', 196, 357),
(57, 'CZ', 'CZECH REPUBLIC', 'Czech Republic', 'CZE', 203, 420),
(58, 'DK', 'DENMARK', 'Denmark', 'DNK', 208, 45),
(59, 'DJ', 'DJIBOUTI', 'Djibouti', 'DJI', 262, 253),
(60, 'DM', 'DOMINICA', 'Dominica', 'DMA', 212, 1767),
(61, 'DO', 'DOMINICAN REPUBLIC', 'Dominican Republic', 'DOM', 214, 1809),
(62, 'EC', 'ECUADOR', 'Ecuador', 'ECU', 218, 593),
(63, 'EG', 'EGYPT', 'Egypt', 'EGY', 818, 20),
(64, 'SV', 'EL SALVADOR', 'El Salvador', 'SLV', 222, 503),
(65, 'GQ', 'EQUATORIAL GUINEA', 'Equatorial Guinea', 'GNQ', 226, 240),
(66, 'ER', 'ERITREA', 'Eritrea', 'ERI', 232, 291),
(67, 'EE', 'ESTONIA', 'Estonia', 'EST', 233, 372),
(68, 'ET', 'ETHIOPIA', 'Ethiopia', 'ETH', 231, 251),
(69, 'FK', 'FALKLAND ISLANDS (MALVINAS)', 'Falkland Islands (Malvinas)', 'FLK', 238, 500),
(70, 'FO', 'FAROE ISLANDS', 'Faroe Islands', 'FRO', 234, 298),
(71, 'FJ', 'FIJI', 'Fiji', 'FJI', 242, 679),
(72, 'FI', 'FINLAND', 'Finland', 'FIN', 246, 358),
(73, 'FR', 'FRANCE', 'France', 'FRA', 250, 33),
(74, 'GF', 'FRENCH GUIANA', 'French Guiana', 'GUF', 254, 594),
(75, 'PF', 'FRENCH POLYNESIA', 'French Polynesia', 'PYF', 258, 689),
(76, 'TF', 'FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES', 'French Southern Territories', NULL, NULL, 0),
(77, 'GA', 'GABON', 'Gabon', 'GAB', 266, 241),
(78, 'GM', 'GAMBIA', 'Gambia', 'GMB', 270, 220),
(79, 'GE', 'GEORGIA', 'Georgia', 'GEO', 268, 995),
(80, 'DE', 'GERMANY', 'Germany', 'DEU', 276, 49),
(81, 'GH', 'GHANA', 'Ghana', 'GHA', 288, 233),
(82, 'GI', 'GIBRALTAR', 'Gibraltar', 'GIB', 292, 350),
(83, 'GR', 'GREECE', 'Greece', 'GRC', 300, 30),
(84, 'GL', 'GREENLAND', 'Greenland', 'GRL', 304, 299),
(85, 'GD', 'GRENADA', 'Grenada', 'GRD', 308, 1473),
(86, 'GP', 'GUADELOUPE', 'Guadeloupe', 'GLP', 312, 590),
(87, 'GU', 'GUAM', 'Guam', 'GUM', 316, 1671),
(88, 'GT', 'GUATEMALA', 'Guatemala', 'GTM', 320, 502),
(89, 'GN', 'GUINEA', 'Guinea', 'GIN', 324, 224),
(90, 'GW', 'GUINEA-BISSAU', 'Guinea-Bissau', 'GNB', 624, 245),
(91, 'GY', 'GUYANA', 'Guyana', 'GUY', 328, 592),
(92, 'HT', 'HAITI', 'Haiti', 'HTI', 332, 509),
(93, 'HM', 'HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS', 'Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands', NULL, NULL, 0),
(94, 'VA', 'HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY STATE)', 'Holy See (Vatican City State)', 'VAT', 336, 39),
(95, 'HN', 'HONDURAS', 'Honduras', 'HND', 340, 504),
(96, 'HK', 'HONG KONG', 'Hong Kong', 'HKG', 344, 852),
(97, 'HU', 'HUNGARY', 'Hungary', 'HUN', 348, 36),
(98, 'IS', 'ICELAND', 'Iceland', 'ISL', 352, 354),
(99, 'IN', 'INDIA', 'India', 'IND', 356, 91),
(100, 'ID', 'INDONESIA', 'Indonesia', 'IDN', 360, 62),
(101, 'IR', 'IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF', 'Iran, Islamic Republic of', 'IRN', 364, 98),
(102, 'IQ', 'IRAQ', 'Iraq', 'IRQ', 368, 964),
(103, 'IE', 'IRELAND', 'Ireland', 'IRL', 372, 353),
(104, 'IL', 'ISRAEL', 'Israel', 'ISR', 376, 972),
(105, 'IT', 'ITALY', 'Italy', 'ITA', 380, 39),
(106, 'JM', 'JAMAICA', 'Jamaica', 'JAM', 388, 1876),
(107, 'JP', 'JAPAN', 'Japan', 'JPN', 392, 81),
(108, 'JO', 'JORDAN', 'Jordan', 'JOR', 400, 962),
(109, 'KZ', 'KAZAKHSTAN', 'Kazakhstan', 'KAZ', 398, 7),
(110, 'KE', 'KENYA', 'Kenya', 'KEN', 404, 254),
(111, 'KI', 'KIRIBATI', 'Kiribati', 'KIR', 296, 686),
(112, 'KP', 'KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE''S REPUBLIC OF', 'Korea, Democratic People''s Republic of', 'PRK', 408, 850),
(113, 'KR', 'KOREA, REPUBLIC OF', 'Korea, Republic of', 'KOR', 410, 82),
(114, 'KW', 'KUWAIT', 'Kuwait', 'KWT', 414, 965),
(115, 'KG', 'KYRGYZSTAN', 'Kyrgyzstan', 'KGZ', 417, 996),
(116, 'LA', 'LAO PEOPLE''S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC', 'Lao People''s Democratic Republic', 'LAO', 418, 856),
(117, 'LV', 'LATVIA', 'Latvia', 'LVA', 428, 371),
(118, 'LB', 'LEBANON', 'Lebanon', 'LBN', 422, 961),
(119, 'LS', 'LESOTHO', 'Lesotho', 'LSO', 426, 266),
(120, 'LR', 'LIBERIA', 'Liberia', 'LBR', 430, 231),
(121, 'LY', 'LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA', 'Libyan Arab Jamahiriya', 'LBY', 434, 218),
(122, 'LI', 'LIECHTENSTEIN', 'Liechtenstein', 'LIE', 438, 423),
(123, 'LT', 'LITHUANIA', 'Lithuania', 'LTU', 440, 370),
(124, 'LU', 'LUXEMBOURG', 'Luxembourg', 'LUX', 442, 352),
(125, 'MO', 'MACAO', 'Macao', 'MAC', 446, 853),
(126, 'MK', 'MACEDONIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF', 'Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of', 'MKD', 807, 389),
(127, 'MG', 'MADAGASCAR', 'Madagascar', 'MDG', 450, 261),
(128, 'MW', 'MALAWI', 'Malawi', 'MWI', 454, 265),
(129, 'MY', 'MALAYSIA', 'Malaysia', 'MYS', 458, 60),
(130, 'MV', 'MALDIVES', 'Maldives', 'MDV', 462, 960),
(131, 'ML', 'MALI', 'Mali', 'MLI', 466, 223),
(132, 'MT', 'MALTA', 'Malta', 'MLT', 470, 356),
(133, 'MH', 'MARSHALL ISLANDS', 'Marshall Islands', 'MHL', 584, 692),
(134, 'MQ', 'MARTINIQUE', 'Martinique', 'MTQ', 474, 596),
(135, 'MR', 'MAURITANIA', 'Mauritania', 'MRT', 478, 222),
(136, 'MU', 'MAURITIUS', 'Mauritius', 'MUS', 480, 230),
(137, 'YT', 'MAYOTTE', 'Mayotte', NULL, NULL, 269),
(138, 'MX', 'MEXICO', 'Mexico', 'MEX', 484, 52),
(139, 'FM', 'MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF', 'Micronesia, Federated States of', 'FSM', 583, 691),
(140, 'MD', 'MOLDOVA, REPUBLIC OF', 'Moldova, Republic of', 'MDA', 498, 373),
(141, 'MC', 'MONACO', 'Monaco', 'MCO', 492, 377),
(142, 'MN', 'MONGOLIA', 'Mongolia', 'MNG', 496, 976),
(143, 'MS', 'MONTSERRAT', 'Montserrat', 'MSR', 500, 1664),
(144, 'MA', 'MOROCCO', 'Morocco', 'MAR', 504, 212),
(145, 'MZ', 'MOZAMBIQUE', 'Mozambique', 'MOZ', 508, 258),
(146, 'MM', 'MYANMAR', 'Myanmar', 'MMR', 104, 95),
(147, 'NA', 'NAMIBIA', 'Namibia', 'NAM', 516, 264),
(148, 'NR', 'NAURU', 'Nauru', 'NRU', 520, 674),
(149, 'NP', 'NEPAL', 'Nepal', 'NPL', 524, 977),
(150, 'NL', 'NETHERLANDS', 'Netherlands', 'NLD', 528, 31),
(151, 'AN', 'NETHERLANDS ANTILLES', 'Netherlands Antilles', 'ANT', 530, 599),
(152, 'NC', 'NEW CALEDONIA', 'New Caledonia', 'NCL', 540, 687),
(153, 'NZ', 'NEW ZEALAND', 'New Zealand', 'NZL', 554, 64),
(154, 'NI', 'NICARAGUA', 'Nicaragua', 'NIC', 558, 505),
(155, 'NE', 'NIGER', 'Niger', 'NER', 562, 227),
(156, 'NG', 'NIGERIA', 'Nigeria', 'NGA', 566, 234),
(157, 'NU', 'NIUE', 'Niue', 'NIU', 570, 683),
(158, 'NF', 'NORFOLK ISLAND', 'Norfolk Island', 'NFK', 574, 672),
(159, 'MP', 'NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS', 'Northern Mariana Islands', 'MNP', 580, 1670),
(160, 'NO', 'NORWAY', 'Norway', 'NOR', 578, 47),
(161, 'OM', 'OMAN', 'Oman', 'OMN', 512, 968),
(162, 'PK', 'PAKISTAN', 'Pakistan', 'PAK', 586, 92),
(163, 'PW', 'PALAU', 'Palau', 'PLW', 585, 680),
(164, 'PS', 'PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, OCCUPIED', 'Palestinian Territory, Occupied', NULL, NULL, 970),
(165, 'PA', 'PANAMA', 'Panama', 'PAN', 591, 507),
(166, 'PG', 'PAPUA NEW GUINEA', 'Papua New Guinea', 'PNG', 598, 675),
(167, 'PY', 'PARAGUAY', 'Paraguay', 'PRY', 600, 595),
(168, 'PE', 'PERU', 'Peru', 'PER', 604, 51),
(169, 'PH', 'PHILIPPINES', 'Philippines', 'PHL', 608, 63),
(170, 'PN', 'PITCAIRN', 'Pitcairn', 'PCN', 612, 0),
(171, 'PL', 'POLAND', 'Poland', 'POL', 616, 48),
(172, 'PT', 'PORTUGAL', 'Portugal', 'PRT', 620, 351),
(173, 'PR', 'PUERTO RICO', 'Puerto Rico', 'PRI', 630, 1787),
(174, 'QA', 'QATAR', 'Qatar', 'QAT', 634, 974),
(175, 'RE', 'REUNION', 'Reunion', 'REU', 638, 262),
(176, 'RO', 'ROMANIA', 'Romania', 'ROM', 642, 40),
(177, 'RU', 'RUSSIAN FEDERATION', 'Russian Federation', 'RUS', 643, 70),
(178, 'RW', 'RWANDA', 'Rwanda', 'RWA', 646, 250),
(179, 'SH', 'SAINT HELENA', 'Saint Helena', 'SHN', 654, 290),
(180, 'KN', 'SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS', 'Saint Kitts and Nevis', 'KNA', 659, 1869),
(181, 'LC', 'SAINT LUCIA', 'Saint Lucia', 'LCA', 662, 1758),
(182, 'PM', 'SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON', 'Saint Pierre and Miquelon', 'SPM', 666, 508),
(183, 'VC', 'SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES', 'Saint Vincent and the Grenadines', 'VCT', 670, 1784),
(184, 'WS', 'SAMOA', 'Samoa', 'WSM', 882, 684),
(185, 'SM', 'SAN MARINO', 'San Marino', 'SMR', 674, 378),
(186, 'ST', 'SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE', 'Sao Tome and Principe', 'STP', 678, 239),
(187, 'SA', 'SAUDI ARABIA', 'Saudi Arabia', 'SAU', 682, 966),
(188, 'SN', 'SENEGAL', 'Senegal', 'SEN', 686, 221),
(189, 'CS', 'SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO', 'Serbia and Montenegro', NULL, NULL, 381),
(190, 'SC', 'SEYCHELLES', 'Seychelles', 'SYC', 690, 248),
(191, 'SL', 'SIERRA LEONE', 'Sierra Leone', 'SLE', 694, 232),
(192, 'SG', 'SINGAPORE', 'Singapore', 'SGP', 702, 65),
(193, 'SK', 'SLOVAKIA', 'Slovakia', 'SVK', 703, 421),
(194, 'SI', 'SLOVENIA', 'Slovenia', 'SVN', 705, 386),
(195, 'SB', 'SOLOMON ISLANDS', 'Solomon Islands', 'SLB', 90, 677),
(196, 'SO', 'SOMALIA', 'Somalia', 'SOM', 706, 252),
(197, 'ZA', 'SOUTH AFRICA', 'South Africa', 'ZAF', 710, 27),
(198, 'GS', 'SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS', 'South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands', NULL, NULL, 0),
(199, 'ES', 'SPAIN', 'Spain', 'ESP', 724, 34),
(200, 'LK', 'SRI LANKA', 'Sri Lanka', 'LKA', 144, 94),
(201, 'SD', 'SUDAN', 'Sudan', 'SDN', 736, 249),
(202, 'SR', 'SURINAME', 'Suriname', 'SUR', 740, 597),
(203, 'SJ', 'SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN', 'Svalbard and Jan Mayen', 'SJM', 744, 47),
(204, 'SZ', 'SWAZILAND', 'Swaziland', 'SWZ', 748, 268),
(205, 'SE', 'SWEDEN', 'Sweden', 'SWE', 752, 46),
(206, 'CH', 'SWITZERLAND', 'Switzerland', 'CHE', 756, 41),
(207, 'SY', 'SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC', 'Syrian Arab Republic', 'SYR', 760, 963),
(208, 'TW', 'TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA', 'Taiwan, Province of China', 'TWN', 158, 886),
(209, 'TJ', 'TAJIKISTAN', 'Tajikistan', 'TJK', 762, 992),
(210, 'TZ', 'TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF', 'Tanzania, United Republic of', 'TZA', 834, 255),
(211, 'TH', 'THAILAND', 'Thailand', 'THA', 764, 66),
(212, 'TL', 'TIMOR-LESTE', 'Timor-Leste', NULL, NULL, 670),
(213, 'TG', 'TOGO', 'Togo', 'TGO', 768, 228),
(214, 'TK', 'TOKELAU', 'Tokelau', 'TKL', 772, 690),
(215, 'TO', 'TONGA', 'Tonga', 'TON', 776, 676),
(216, 'TT', 'TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO', 'Trinidad and Tobago', 'TTO', 780, 1868),
(217, 'TN', 'TUNISIA', 'Tunisia', 'TUN', 788, 216),
(218, 'TR', 'TURKEY', 'Turkey', 'TUR', 792, 90),
(219, 'TM', 'TURKMENISTAN', 'Turkmenistan', 'TKM', 795, 7370),
(220, 'TC', 'TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS', 'Turks and Caicos Islands', 'TCA', 796, 1649),
(221, 'TV', 'TUVALU', 'Tuvalu', 'TUV', 798, 688),
(222, 'UG', 'UGANDA', 'Uganda', 'UGA', 800, 256),
(223, 'UA', 'UKRAINE', 'Ukraine', 'UKR', 804, 380),
(224, 'AE', 'UNITED ARAB EMIRATES', 'United Arab Emirates', 'ARE', 784, 971),
(225, 'GB', 'UNITED KINGDOM', 'United Kingdom', 'GBR', 826, 44),
(226, 'US', 'UNITED STATES', 'United States', 'USA', 840, 1),
(227, 'UM', 'UNITED STATES MINOR OUTLYING ISLANDS', 'United States Minor Outlying Islands', NULL, NULL, 1),
(228, 'UY', 'URUGUAY', 'Uruguay', 'URY', 858, 598),
(229, 'UZ', 'UZBEKISTAN', 'Uzbekistan', 'UZB', 860, 998),
(230, 'VU', 'VANUATU', 'Vanuatu', 'VUT', 548, 678),
(231, 'VE', 'VENEZUELA', 'Venezuela', 'VEN', 862, 58),
(232, 'VN', 'VIET NAM', 'Viet Nam', 'VNM', 704, 84),
(233, 'VG', 'VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH', 'Virgin Islands, British', 'VGB', 92, 1284),
(234, 'VI', 'VIRGIN ISLANDS, U.S.', 'Virgin Islands, U.s.', 'VIR', 850, 1340),
(235, 'WF', 'WALLIS AND FUTUNA', 'Wallis and Futuna', 'WLF', 876, 681),
(236, 'EH', 'WESTERN SAHARA', 'Western Sahara', 'ESH', 732, 212),
(237, 'YE', 'YEMEN', 'Yemen', 'YEM', 887, 967),
(238, 'ZM', 'ZAMBIA', 'Zambia', 'ZMB', 894, 260),
(239, 'ZW', 'ZIMBABWE', 'Zimbabwe', 'ZWE', 716, 263);

Connect to Database

Let us create the connection between node and MySQL, ensure that you make the database.js file in your application, and at the same time add the given code inside the file.

var mysql = require('mysql')

var connection = mysql.createConnection({
  host: 'localhost',
  user: 'root',
  password: '',
  database: 'test',
})

connection.connect((err) => {
  if (err) {
    console.log(err)
    return
  }
  console.log('Database connected')
})

module.exports = connection

Create Simple Autocomplete Form

Head over to views/ directory, in here create index.ejs file, then place the given code in the file.

We are creating a small form using the Boostrap for our autocomplete search component.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
  <head>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <title>Node MySQL Ajax Autocomplete Search Example</title>
    <link
      href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.1.3/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css"
      rel="stylesheet"
    />    
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.12.1/jquery-ui.css"
    />
    <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.4.1.min.js"></script>
    <script src="https://code.jquery.com/ui/1.12.1/jquery-ui.min.js"></script>
  </head>
  <body>
    <div class="container mt-5">
        <input
          type="text"
          class="form-control"
          name="autoSearch"
          id="autoSearch"
          placeholder="Search..."
        />
      </div>
    </div>
    <script type="text/javascript">
      $(function () {
        $("#autoSearch").autocomplete({
          name: "autoSearch",
          source: "http://localhost:5555/auto-search?key=%QUERY",
          limit: 6,
        });
      });
    </script>
  </body>
</html>

Create Server File

Open the app.js in this file you have to define the offered code.

We are going to set up view, create route for making the request for autocomplete module , also setting up the app port.

var createError = require('http-errors')

var path = require('path')

var bodyParser = require('body-parser')

var express = require('express')

var db = require('./database')
var app = express()

// view engine setup
app.set('views', path.join(__dirname, '/'))
app.set('view engine', 'ejs')

app.get('/', function (req, res) {
  res.render('index')
})

app.get('/auto-search', function (req, res) {
  db.query(
    'SELECT name FROM countries WHERE name LIKE "%' +
      req.query.term +
      '%"',
    function (err, rows, fields) {
      if (err) throw err
      var DataList = []
      for (i = 0; i < rows.length; i++) {
        DataList.push(rows[i].name)
      }
      res.end(JSON.stringify(DataList))
    },
  )
})


app.listen(5555, function () {
  console.log('Node app working on port: 5555')
})

module.exports = app

Serve Node Application

We have completed the coding part and all the things have been placed, now time is to start the node server.

nodemon

So, open the given url on the browser to view the app.:

http://127.0.0.1:5555

How to Build Ajax Autocomplete Search in Node with MySQL

Conclusion

In this quick guide, we looked into the details and demystified how to super easily create the autocomplete search bar in the node js application using the noted MySQL database.

We are utterly sure you have followed every step carefully and by now have learned how to use the jQuery AJAX to make the live search in node js.

Not just jQuery AJAX, we also took the help of other npm modules we learned to install, configure and align with our code to build the node autocomplete component from scratch.