Backend with Node.js & Express: Building RESTful APIs

Learn to build robust and scalable backend services using Node.js and the popular Express.js framework. This module covers everything from setting up your server to creating RESTful APIs, handling data, and integrating with databases. Get ready to power your web applications with a solid backend!

1. Node.js Fundamentals

Start with the core concepts of Node.js, including its event-driven architecture, how to use built-in modules, and managing project dependencies with npm (Node Package Manager). You'll set up your first simple HTTP server to understand how Node.js handles requests.

// server.js
const http = require('http');

const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
const port = 3000;

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.statusCode = 200;
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  res.end('Hello Node.js World!');
});

server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
});
            

2. Introduction to Express.js

Express.js is a minimalist web framework for Node.js. Learn how to set up an Express application, define routes to handle different URL paths, and use middleware functions to process requests before they reach your route handlers (e.g., for logging, authentication).

// app.js
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const port = 3000;

// Basic route
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Welcome to Express App!');
});

// Another route
app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
  res.json([{ id: 1, name: 'John Doe' }, { id: 2, name: 'Jane Smith' }]);
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Express app listening at http://localhost:${port}`);
});
            

3. Building RESTful APIs

Master the art of creating RESTful APIs. This section delves into HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), working with JSON data, and designing clean, intuitive API endpoints that your frontend applications can easily consume. You'll learn best practices for API development.

4. Database Integration (e.g., MongoDB with Mongoose)

Connect your Express backend to a database to persist data. We'll explore integrating with a NoSQL database like MongoDB using Mongoose, an ODM (Object Data Modeling) library, to perform common CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations.

// db.js (conceptual)
const mongoose = require('mongoose');

mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/mydatabase', {
  useNewUrlParser: true,
  useUnifiedTopology: true
})
.then(() => console.log('Connected to MongoDB'))
.catch(err => console.error('Could not connect to MongoDB...', err));

// In your app.js: require('./db');
            

Module Summary

You've successfully built a foundational understanding of backend development with Node.js and Express. From setting up a server and defining routes to building RESTful APIs and integrating with a database, you now have the skills to create the server-side logic for dynamic web applications.

Next Steps & Related Modules

Consider exploring more advanced Node.js topics like authentication, testing, or dive deeper into database management with our Database Fundamentals module.