database.js

var mysql = require('mysql');
var log = require('debug-logger')('database.js');

module.exports = function Database() {
    var config = {
        host: process.env.DB_HOST || 'localhost',
        user: process.env.DB_USER || 'root',
        database: process.env.DB_NAME || 'simple-api-server'
    };

    //check if the user is using a password or not
    if(typeof connection !== undefined) {
        config.password = process.env.DB_PASSWORD || '';
    }

    //create the connection with the database
    var connection = mysql.createConnection(config);

    connection.connect(function(err) {
        //failed attempt - log error
        if(err) {
            console.log("error: " + err.stack);
            return null;
        }
        //success
        else {
            console.log("success");
            return connection;
        }
    });

    return connection;
};