Node.js API Development
Build production-ready REST APIs with Node.js, Express, and MongoDB
Introduction
Node.js has become the go-to choice for building REST APIs due to its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. In this comprehensive tutorial, you'll learn how to build production-ready APIs that can handle thousands of concurrent requests efficiently.
We'll use Express.js for routing and middleware, MongoDB for data persistence, and implement industry-standard patterns for authentication, validation, error handling, and security. By the end, you'll have a solid foundation for building any kind of backend service.
What You'll Learn
Prerequisites
- •Basic JavaScript knowledge and ES6+ syntax
- •Familiarity with async/await and promises
- •Node.js installed on your system (v18 or higher)
- •Basic understanding of HTTP methods and REST principles
Tutorial Outline
1. Project Setup & Configuration
- →Initialize Node.js project
- →Install dependencies (Express, Mongoose, etc.)
- →Configure environment variables
- →Set up project structure
2. Express Server & Middleware
- →Create Express server
- →Configure middleware (CORS, Helmet, Morgan)
- →Set up error handling
- →Implement rate limiting
3. Database Integration
- →Connect to MongoDB
- →Create Mongoose schemas and models
- →Implement data validation
- →Set up database seeding
4. API Routes & Controllers
- →Design RESTful endpoints
- →Implement CRUD operations
- →Create controllers
- →Add pagination and filtering
5. Authentication & Authorization
- →Implement JWT authentication
- →Create login and register endpoints
- →Add middleware for protected routes
- →Handle refresh tokens
6. Testing & Documentation
- →Write API tests with Jest
- →Document API with Swagger
- →Integration testing
- →API versioning
7. Deployment
- →Prepare for production
- →Deploy to cloud platforms
- →Set up CI/CD
- →Monitor and maintain
Key Concepts Covered
MVC Pattern
Learn to structure your API using the Model-View-Controller pattern for better code organization and maintainability.
Middleware
Master Express middleware for authentication, validation, logging, and error handling to build robust APIs.
Database Design
Design efficient MongoDB schemas, implement relationships, and optimize queries for production use.
Security
Implement industry-standard security practices including encryption, sanitization, and protection against common vulnerabilities.
Additional Resources
- 📖 Official Express.js Documentation
- 📖 Mongoose Documentation and Best Practices
- 💻 GitHub Repository with Complete Code
- 🎥 Video Walkthrough (Coming Soon)
- 💬 Join our Discord Community for Help