Course Description
This course is your definitive guide to mastering Express.js. We focus exclusively on the art of building robust backends, from simple web servers to complex, enterprise-level APIs. You'll learn why Express is the most popular choice for Node.js developers and gain the practical skills to build fast and secure applications.
We start with the fundamentals, exploring the core of Express: routing and the powerful middleware architecture. You'll learn how to handle requests, send responses, and structure your application for scalability. We then dive deep into building RESTful APIs, integrating with both NoSQL (MongoDB) and SQL (PostgreSQL) databases, and implementing rock-solid user authentication and comprehensive security measures.
The curriculum also covers advanced topics including centralized error handling, efficient file uploads, real-time communication with WebSockets (Socket.IO), structured application design, best practices for API documentation, thorough testing, and robust deployment strategies for production-ready Express.js applications. By the end of this course, you will have the confidence and expertise to build professional-grade backend services with Express.js.
What You'll Learn:
- Setting up and managing Express.js projects.
- Mastering the Express middleware system and advanced routing techniques.
- Building and effectively documenting professional RESTful APIs.
- Integrating with both NoSQL (MongoDB with Mongoose) and SQL (PostgreSQL with Sequelize) databases.
- Implementing secure authentication and authorization using JWT (JSON Web Tokens).
- Applying comprehensive API security best practices (Helmet.js, CORS, Rate Limiting, Data Validation).
- Advanced error handling, validation, and logging.
- Handling file uploads with Multer.
- Structuring Express applications using patterns like MVC and services.
- Writing robust integration tests for API endpoints with Jest & Supertest.
- Integrating real-time features with Socket.IO.
- Setting up TypeScript for type-safe Express development.
- Deploying and managing production-ready Express applications.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is ideal for anyone with a basic understanding of Node.js who wants to specialize in backend development using its most powerful framework. It's perfect for front-end developers aiming to become full-stack, and for backend developers wanting to solidify their Express.js skills with modern best practices and production readiness.
Prerequisites:
- Solid JavaScript Fundamentals: A strong understanding of core JavaScript (including asynchronous JavaScript, Promises, and ES6+ features).
- Basic Node.js Knowledge: Familiarity with Node.js runtime, NPM, and executing Node.js scripts.
- Basic Understanding of HTTP & REST: Knowledge of HTTP methods, status codes, and RESTful principles.
- Familiarity with Databases (SQL/NoSQL basics): Conceptual understanding of how databases work.
- A Computer/Laptop: A working computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) with Node.js and an internet connection.
- A Willingness to Learn: Enthusiasm for building robust backend systems.
Includes practical labs for each module, a full API project, and a certificate of completion. Available in English and Hindi.
1. What is Express.js? (Node.js vs. Express.js)
15min
2. Setting up an Express Project with NPM
20min
3. Your First Express Server: Handling Basic Requests and Sending Responses
25min
4. Understanding `package.json` and Basic Dependencies
15min
5. Recap & Practical Task: Create and Run Your First Express Server
30min
6. What is Middleware? The `req`, `res`, `next()` Cycle
30min
7. Using Built-in Express Middleware (`express.json()`, `express.urlencoded()`, `express.static()`)
25min
8. Integrating Third-Party Middleware (e.g., Morgan for logging)
25min
9. Writing Your Own Custom Middleware
30min
10. Order of Middleware Execution and Common Gotchas
20min
11. Recap & Practical Task: Build Custom Logging Middleware
40min
12. Basic Routing and HTTP Methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
20min
13. Handling Route Parameters (`:id`) and Query Strings (`?key=value`)
25min
14. Organizing Routes with Express Router
30min
15. Route Chaining and Modular Routes
25min
16. Redirects and Rendering Views (Brief Overview of `res.render()`)
15min
17. Recap & Practical Task: Create a Multi-Route API Structure
45min
18. REST Principles and API Design Best Practices
25min
19. Implementing GET Endpoints (Read All & Read One)
35min
20. Implementing POST Endpoints (Create Resources)
30min
21. Implementing PUT/PATCH Endpoints (Update Resources)
30min
22. Implementing DELETE Endpoints (Remove Resources)
20min
23. Sending Proper JSON Responses and HTTP Status Codes
25min
24. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Simple CRUD API for a Resource
1hr
25. Introduction to MongoDB for NoSQL Data Storage
20min
26. Integrating Mongoose (ODM) with Express.js
25min
27. Building a Data Model and Schema with Mongoose
30min
28. Performing CRUD Operations on MongoDB with Mongoose
40min
29. Connecting Your API Routes to the Database
35min
30. Recap & Practical Task: Connect Your CRUD API to MongoDB
1hr 15min
31. Introduction to Relational Databases (PostgreSQL/MySQL Overview)
20min
32. Integrating Sequelize (ORM) with Express.js
30min
33. Defining Models and Migrations with Sequelize
35min
34. Performing CRUD Operations on SQL Database with Sequelize
35min
35. Querying a Relational Database from Express API
30min
36. Recap & Practical Task: Create a SQL-backed CRUD API
1hr 15min
37. Understanding User Authentication vs. Authorization
20min
38. Hashing Passwords with `bcrypt.js`
25min
39. Introduction to JWT: Structure and Purpose
30min
40. Creating and Signing JSON Web Tokens
35min
41. Creating Middleware to Verify and Protect Routes with JWT
30min
42. Refresh Tokens (Conceptual Overview)
20min
43. Recap & Practical Task: Implement User Registration, Login, and JWT Protected Routes
1hr 30min
44. Using Helmet.js to Secure HTTP Headers
20min
45. Enabling CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) for API Access
25min
46. Implementing Rate Limiting to Prevent Abuse
25min
47. Data Validation and Sanitization (e.g., with Joi/Express-Validator)
30min
48. Preventing SQL Injection (with ORMs) and XSS (Output Encoding)
25min
49. Handling Sensitive Data (Environment Variables)
20min
50. Recap & Practical Task: Secure Your API with Helmet.js, CORS, and Rate Limiting
1hr
51. Default Error Handling in Express and Custom Error Objects
20min
52. Creating a Centralized Error Handling Middleware
30min
53. Handling Async Errors Gracefully (Express Async Handler)
25min
54. Logging with Morgan and Winston/Pino
30min
55. Recap & Practical Task: Implement a Robust Global Error Handler and Basic Logging
1hr
56. Handling `multipart/form-data` with Multer
35min
57. Validating and Processing Uploaded Files
25min
58. Storing Files Locally vs. Cloud Storage (e.g., AWS S3, Cloudinary - Conceptual)
30min
59. Recap & Practical Task: Implement an Image Upload API Endpoint
1hr
60. Applying the MVC (Model-View-Controller) Pattern to Express APIs
30min
61. Separating Business Logic into Services/Managers
25min
62. Managing Configuration and Environment Variables (`dotenv`)
25min
63. Project Structure Best Practices (Modular vs. Feature-based)
20min
64. Recap & Practical Task: Refactor a Basic API into a Scalable Structure
1hr
65. Setting up a Test Environment with Jest & Supertest
25min
66. Writing Unit Tests for Controllers and Services
40min
67. Writing Integration Tests for API Endpoints
45min
68. Mocking Services and Database Interactions
30min
69. Test Driven Development (TDD) Approach (Conceptual)
20min
70. Recap & Practical Task: Implement Tests for a Blog API Endpoint
1hr 30min
71. Introduction to Real-time Applications and WebSockets
25min
72. Integrating Socket.IO with an Express Server
35min
73. Emitting Events and Broadcasting Messages to Clients
30min
74. Handling Socket.IO Events (Connection, Disconnect, Custom Events)
25min
75. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Simple Chat Application (Backend)
1hr
76. Why Use TypeScript with Express?
20min
77. Setting up a TypeScript-based Express Project
30min
78. Typing Middleware, Requests, and Responses
35min
79. Typing Database Models and ORM Interactions
30min
80. Recap & Practical Task: Convert a Small Express Project to TypeScript
1hr
81. Importance of API Documentation
15min
82. Manual Documentation with Postman Collections
25min
83. Automating Documentation with Swagger/OpenAPI (Using `swagger-ui-express`)
35min
84. Recap & Practical Task: Document Your Blog API with Swagger
1hr
85. Preparing for Production: Environment Variables and Security Checklist
20min
86. Optimizing Express Applications for Performance
25min
87. Using a Process Manager like PM2 (Clustering, Monitoring)
30min
88. Deploying to Cloud Platforms (Heroku, Render, AWS EC2 - Conceptual)
35min
89. Setting up Nginx as a Reverse Proxy
25min
90. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Overview
20min
91. Recap & Practical Task: Prepare Your API for Deployment and Run with PM2
1hr 15min
92. Project Scoping, Data Modeling, and API Design (for Blog)
45min
93. Implementing All API Endpoints (CRUD, Authentication, Authorization, Comments)
2hr 30min
94. Integrating Database and Error Handling
1hr
95. Final Testing, Documentation, and Optimization
1hr 15min
96. Recap & Final Project Submission
1hr 30min
