## Course Objectives - Understand the fundamentals of Node.js and Express.js framework. - Build web applications and RESTful APIs using Express.js. - Implement middleware for error handling, logging, and authentication. - Master database integration with MongoDB and Mongoose. - Apply best practices for security, testing, and version control in Express.js applications. - Deploy Express.js applications to cloud platforms (Heroku, AWS, etc.). - Leverage modern development tools and practices such as Docker, Git, and CI/CD. ## Weekly Breakdown ### Week 1: Introduction to Node.js and Express.js #### Topics: - [**Overview of Node.js and its event-driven architecture.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/CmZhHczf): Master the fundamentals of Node.js and its event-driven architecture to build scalable web applications. Learn how Node.js provides an efficient, non-blocking I/O model and explore key concepts such as event registration, triggering, and listener execution for real-time web development. Discover the benefits of Node.js event-driven architecture for creating high-performance and scalable web applications. - [**Understanding the Express.js framework and its benefits.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/oOpbqLK7): Discover the power of Express.js in building scalable web applications and APIs, exploring its key features, benefits, and use cases, and learn how to harness its flexibility and modularity for efficient web development. Learn how to utilize request and response objects, routing, middleware, and templating to create robust web applications. Master Express.js to create scalable web applications and APIs with ease. - [**Setting up a Node.js development environment.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/P6nDa6cx): Setting up a Node.js development environment is a key step in building scalable web applications and APIs. This involves installing Node.js and npm, choosing a code editor or IDE, creating a new Node.js project, and understanding the project structure. Following best practices such as using a version control system and keeping dependencies up to date can also help ensure a smooth development process. - [**Basic routing and handling HTTP requests in Express.js.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/RvlBt5A6): Mastering Express.js fundamentals, including basic routing and handling HTTP requests, to build scalable web applications and APIs. Key concepts covered include route paths, request methods, and utilizing the request and response objects to access and manipulate data. By applying these concepts, developers can build robust and efficient Express.js applications. #### Lab: - [**Set up a Node.js and Express.js development environment and create a simple web server with basic routes.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/WlLclQoN) #### Lab Summary: Learn to set up a Node.js and Express.js development environment and create a simple web server with basic routes. In this hands-on lab, you'll gain practical experience building web applications with Node.js and Express.js, from installing dependencies to defining routes and serving content. ### Week 2: Routing and Middleware #### Topics: - [**Understanding routing in Express.js (parameterized routes, query strings).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/NCwXk1ys): Mastering Express.js routing involves using parameterized routes to capture values from URLs and query strings to pass additional data. Key concepts include the `req.params` and `req.query` objects, which enable the creation of flexible and dynamic routes. By applying these concepts, developers can build robust and scalable web applications and APIs. - [**Using middleware to handle requests and responses.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/PgNyqg7w): Mastering Express.js: Routing and Middleware Fundamentals. Learn how to use middleware functions to handle requests and responses effectively, including application-level, router-level, error-handling, and built-in middleware. Discover how to leverage third-party middleware libraries and implement practical use cases. - [**Error handling middleware and logging requests.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/FkpfaQBX): Learn how to build robust web applications with Express.js by implementing error handling middleware and logging requests. Discover best practices for catching all errors, logging errors, and returning meaningful responses, as well as how to log all requests and use standardized logging formats with Morgan middleware. - [**Creating custom middleware functions.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/XFkdG9ug): Mastering Express.js routing and middleware involves creating custom middleware functions to handle unique tasks such as authentication, logging, and caching. Custom middleware functions are reusable and modular, allowing developers to extend the functionality of their Express.js applications, and can be combined to perform complex logic and operations. By following best practices, developers can create efficient and effective middleware functions that improve app performance and security. #### Lab: - [**Implement routing and middleware in an Express.js application to handle different HTTP methods and error scenarios.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/OE04E5cG) #### Lab Summary: Mastering Express.js routing and middleware, create robust applications that handle various HTTP methods and error scenarios with scalable route handlers and custom error handling functions. Implement validation and authentication middleware to ensure secure and reliable data handling. ### Week 3: Template Engines and Serving Static Files #### Topics: - [**Integrating template engines (EJS, Pug) with Express.js.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/895ec5xF): Integrate template engines with Express.js to separate presentation logic from application logic, and reuse HTML templates. Learn how to set up and use EJS and Pug template engines to render dynamic HTML content in your Express.js application. - [**Rendering dynamic content using templates.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/UPk7r6GX): Master Express.js by learning to render dynamic content with template engines like EJS and Pug. Understand the benefits of dynamic content, and discover best practices for using template engines to generate content on the fly and build scalable web applications. - [**Serving static files (CSS, JavaScript, images) in Express.js applications.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/ICZsrkie): Learn how to serve static files in Express.js applications, including using the `express.static()` middleware, configuring options, and best practices for improving performance and scalability. - [**Using the `public` directory for static assets.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/Jiwtk31G): Learn how to use the Express.js `public` directory to serve static assets such as images, CSS files, and JavaScript files in your web applications, and discover best practices for configuration, security, and optimization. This guide covers creating and setting up the `public` directory, serving static assets with the `express.static()` middleware function, and considering security and performance. #### Lab: - [**Build a dynamic web page using a template engine and serve static assets from the public directory.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/cxvAU9dB) #### Lab Summary: Build dynamic web pages using a template engine and serve static assets from the public directory in Express.js. Learn how to set up a project structure, install a template engine, create a template, and serve it using Express.js. Master serving templates and static assets to create scalable web applications. ### Week 4: Working with Databases: MongoDB and Mongoose #### Topics: - [**Introduction to NoSQL databases and MongoDB.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/IksAAuT9): Mastering Express.js applications requires integrating effective databases, and this guide introduces NoSQL databases, specifically MongoDB, and its benefits in handling large amounts of data. MongoDB's key features, including its document-based data model and scalability, make it ideal for modern web applications, real-time analytics, and mobile apps. With MongoDB, developers can design flexible and adaptable data storage solutions. - [**Setting up MongoDB and Mongoose for data modeling.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/oQAKjwqu): Learn how to integrate MongoDB and Mongoose into your Express.js application to enable scalable data modeling. Discover the benefits of using Mongoose, including simplified data modeling, type safety, and validation. Follow step-by-step instructions to install Mongoose, connect to a MongoDB database, and define and use a Mongoose model for CRUD operations. - [**CRUD operations with Mongoose (Create, Read, Update, Delete).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/KrGQv78U): Master the fundamental operations of database management using Mongoose, covering how to create, read, update, and delete documents in a MongoDB database through practical coding examples. Learn how to use Mongoose to perform CRUD operations efficiently and effectively manage your web application's data. - [**Defining schemas and validating data.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/TlNLQosg): Mastering Express.js: Learn how to define and work with schemas and validate data in Mongoose to ensure consistent and reliable application data. Discover how to create Mongoose models, use various data types, and implement validation rules to maintain data integrity. #### Lab: - [**Create a RESTful API using Express.js and MongoDB with Mongoose for managing a resource (e.g., books, users).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/FeRgQDDE) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to create a RESTful API with Express.js and MongoDB using Mongoose, performing CRUD operations and managing resources efficiently. By following this hands-on guide, you'll gain experience in building scalable web applications and APIs. ### Week 5: Authentication and Authorization #### Topics: - [**Understanding authentication vs. authorization.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/khHoQXkd): Authentication and authorization are two vital security concepts for web applications, serving distinct purposes in verifying user identities and determining access levels to resources. Understanding the differences between these terms is essential for building scalable applications, and implementing strong authentication mechanisms combined with role-based authorization ensures a secure environment. - [**Implementing user authentication using Passport.js.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/YY6rHG8D): Mastering Express.js authentication using Passport.js. Learn how to implement user authentication, configure Passport.js with local strategy, and define route handlers for handling local authentication requests in an Express.js application. Discover how to test local authentication and explore additional resources for further learning. - [**Creating and managing user sessions.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/7jyO69UV): Creating and managing user sessions in Express.js, including storing and retrieving user data, implementing authentication and authorization, and destroying sessions when necessary using the express-session middleware. Sessions enable personalization, authentication, and secure access to protected resources, and can be stored securely using a secret key. - [**Role-based access control and securing routes.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/NACqmoln): Mastering Express.js authentication takes more than just verifying a user's identity - it requires authorizing their actions. Learn how to implement role-based access control (RBAC) in Express.js, securing routes by defining middleware functions that check the authenticated user's role before granting access. #### Lab: - [**Develop a user authentication system using Passport.js, including registration, login, and role management.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/id9m1IfQ) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to develop a comprehensive user authentication system using Passport.js in Express.js applications, including registration, login, and role management, to implement secure and scalable authentication. ### Week 6: Building RESTful APIs #### Topics: - [**Principles of RESTful API design.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/199biO5d): Principles of RESTful API design are explored in detail, including resource-based architecture, HTTP methods, API endpoint design, and status codes. Learn how to design and build scalable, maintainable, and easy-to-use RESTful APIs by following best practices and principles. Key concepts include organizing API endpoints and resources, using descriptive and consistent naming conventions, and incorporating security measures. - [**Creating RESTful routes and controllers in Express.js.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/HQTVsqs8): Building a RESTful API with Express.js involves defining clear route structures and controllers to handle CRUD operations. Learn how to create scalable web applications and APIs by structuring routes and controllers to handle common operations, and explore best practices for maintaining readable and maintainable code. - [**Handling API requests and responses (JSON format).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/bIHaCa3q): Learn how to handle API requests and responses in JSON format using Express.js, including understanding JSON data format, request and response headers, and body parsing using middlewares. Create RESTful API endpoints to handle GET and POST requests, and respond with data in JSON format. - [**Implementing versioning for APIs.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/PR90jZj9): API versioning helps maintain a scalable and maintainable RESTful API by ensuring backward compatibility and flexibility. There are four main versioning strategies: URI, query parameter, media type, and header versioning. Implementing a consistent versioning approach and following best practices such as documentation, deprecated notices, and testing are essential for a smooth transition between API versions. #### Lab: - [**Build a fully functional RESTful API with Express.js that includes all CRUD operations for a specific resource.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/I3ynhxNb) #### Lab Summary: Build a RESTful API with Express.js that handles all CRUD operations for a specific resource. Learn how to define models, create routes, and mount them to an Express.js app in a hands-on exercise. Master the fundamentals of building scalable web APIs, from setup to testing. ### Week 7: Security Best Practices in Express.js #### Topics: - [**Common security vulnerabilities (XSS, CSRF, SQL Injection).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/kXvQmlcV): Protect your Express.js application from common web security vulnerabilities by understanding and preventing Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and SQL Injection attacks. Learn how to implement best practices such as using template engines, escaping user input, and validating data to secure your application. Discover techniques to safeguard your app against these vulnerabilities and improve overall security. - [**Using Helmet.js for setting HTTP headers to secure Express apps.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/z1RWSKMs): Learn how to secure your Express.js applications with Helmet.js, a popular middleware library that sets HTTP headers to protect against common security vulnerabilities such as XSS, clickjacking, and man-in-the-middle attacks. By using Helmet.js, you can help prevent these attacks and keep your users' data safe. - [**Implementing rate limiting and input validation.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/M50DbJFj): Learn how to protect your Express.js applications from common security threats by implementing rate limiting and input validation. Discover how to use built-in middleware and best practices to prevent brute-force attacks, denial-of-service attacks, and other types of malicious activity. - [**Best practices for securing sensitive data (password hashing, JWT).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/7hUDfV4G): Learn how to secure sensitive data in Express.js applications, including password hashing and JSON Web Tokens (JWT), with best practices for protecting user information and preventing unauthorized access. #### Lab: - [**Secure the RESTful API created in previous labs by implementing security measures and best practices.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/TnUbMUyV) #### Lab Summary: To secure a RESTful API created in previous labs, it's essential to implement security measures and best practices, such as authentication, authorization, input validation, rate limiting, HTTPS, and secure password storage. By following these measures, you can protect sensitive data, prevent common web application vulnerabilities, and maintain the trust of users. ### Week 8: Testing and Debugging Express Applications #### Topics: - [**Importance of testing in modern web development.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/z1wkCWcG): Mastering Express.js: Building Scalable Web Applications and APIs Learn the importance of testing in modern web development and how to use testing frameworks like Mocha, Chai, and Jest to write effective tests for your Express.js applications. Discover how testing can help you catch bugs early, ensure stability, and improve code quality. - [**Introduction to testing frameworks (Mocha, Chai, Jest).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/06V7wTSf): Mastering Express.js: Learn how to write unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests for your Express.js applications using Mocha, Chai, and Jest. Discover the key concepts and practical takeaways to improve your testing skills and build more robust web applications. - [**Writing unit and integration tests for Express.js applications.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/ktgdCCuX): Mastering Express.js: Building Scalable Web Applications and APIs Learn how to write unit and integration tests for Express.js applications, ensuring your application is stable and works as expected. Discover the best practices for writing effective tests, including keeping tests independent, using a test database, and a test server. - [**Debugging techniques and tools.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/KPdfCfdP): Mastering Express.js requires a solid understanding of debugging techniques and tools. Learn how to identify and fix issues in your applications using built-in debugging tools, logging messages, error handling, and third-party debugging tools. #### Lab: - [**Write unit tests for routes and controllers in an Express.js application and debug using built-in tools.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/Th8dymXb) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to write unit tests for routes and controllers in an Express.js application using Jest, and debug your application using built-in tools. This hands-on guide covers the basics of testing and debugging, and provides a step-by-step approach to writing unit tests and debugging your application. ### Week 9: File Uploads and Handling Form Data #### Topics: - [**Handling form submissions and processing data.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/EeCuryl2): Learn how to handle form submissions and process data in Express.js applications, including form validation, data processing, and error handling, as well as implementing file uploads using Multer middleware. - [**Implementing file uploads using Multer middleware.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/udsLcLCs): Learn how to implement file uploads using Multer middleware in Express.js applications, simplifying the process of handling multipart/form-data requests. Discover how to configure Multer, handle file uploads, and access the uploaded file and request body. - [**Validating uploaded files and managing storage.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/2SYHOcFQ): Mastering Express.js: Validating Uploaded Files and Managing Storage Learn how to validate uploaded files and manage storage in your Express.js applications, ensuring robust security and reliability. This topic covers file type validation, file size limits, and permanent storage solutions, providing practical examples to help you apply this knowledge effectively. - [**Handling multipart/form-data.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/A2Gf3WG8): Mastering Express.js: Handling multipart/form-data is crucial for building scalable web applications and APIs. This topic covers the basics of handling multipart/form-data, including Express.js middleware for handling file uploads, Multer middleware, file upload validation, and storage. By following practical takeaways and using the right middleware, developers can efficiently handle file uploads in their Express.js applications. #### Lab: - [**Build a file upload feature in an Express.js application that processes and stores files securely.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/oW4llSLr) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to build a secure file upload feature in an Express.js application using the Multer middleware, validating uploaded files, and storing them in a secure manner. This tutorial covers the basics of file uploads, including setting up a file upload endpoint, validating uploaded files, and storing files securely using a file system. ### Week 10: Real-Time Applications with WebSockets #### Topics: - [**Introduction to WebSockets and real-time communication.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/biau23MD): Learn how to build real-time web applications and APIs using Express.js and WebSockets. Discover the benefits of WebSockets, including real-time updates, low latency, and scalability, and how to integrate them with Express.js for seamless communication between clients and servers. - [**Integrating Socket.io with Express.js for real-time updates.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/9y1TyWzB): Learn how to integrate Socket.io with Express.js to enable real-time updates in your web applications. This tutorial covers the basics of Socket.io, including how to use the `connection`, `message`, and `disconnect` events, and provides a practical example of building a simple chat application using Socket.io and Express.js. - [**Building chat applications and live notifications.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/YJN4zPvR): Learn how to build scalable and efficient real-time chat applications and live notifications using WebSockets and Socket.io. This guide covers key concepts, provides examples, and offers practical takeaways to help you get started with building real-time applications. - [**Handling events and broadcasting messages.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/YXdJXkTa): Mastering Express.js: Building Scalable Web Applications and APIs Learn how to handle events and broadcast messages in real-time applications using WebSockets in Express.js. Discover the basics of WebSockets, event handling, and broadcasting messages, and gain practical experience with examples and takeaways. #### Lab: - [**Develop a simple chat application using Express.js and Socket.io to enable real-time communication between users.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/Cxd5VhNT) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to build a simple chat application using Express.js and Socket.io, enabling real-time communication between users. This tutorial covers the basics of setting up a Socket.io server, creating a chat interface, and sending and receiving messages between clients. ### Week 11: Deployment and Continuous Integration #### Topics: - [**Preparing an Express.js application for production.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/QkFk0cy3): Learn how to prepare your Express.js application for production by setting up a robust deployment strategy, configuring the application for scalability, and implementing continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. This guide covers the essential steps to ensure your application is ready for a large volume of traffic. - [**Introduction to cloud deployment options (Heroku, AWS, DigitalOcean).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/MMpIlRWv): Learn how to deploy your Express.js applications to the cloud with Heroku, AWS, and DigitalOcean. Discover the key features, pricing models, and step-by-step guides for getting started with each platform, and choose the best option for your project's scalability and reliability needs. - [**Setting up a CI/CD pipeline with GitHub Actions.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/DeZm8ecX): Learn how to set up a Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline using GitHub Actions, automating the build, test, and deployment of your Node.js web applications and APIs. Discover how to create a workflow, define triggers, and deploy your application to a production environment, ensuring scalability and reliability. - [**Monitoring and maintaining deployed applications.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/n6GhsKiE): Learn how to monitor and maintain your deployed Express.js applications for optimal scalability and reliability. Discover the key tools and techniques for tracking performance, identifying issues, and preventing downtime, and get practical examples of how to implement them in your own projects. #### Lab: - [**Deploy an Express.js application to a cloud platform and configure a CI/CD pipeline for automatic deployments.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/qS3lGw28) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to deploy a scalable Express.js web application and API to popular cloud platforms like Heroku, AWS, and DigitalOcean, and configure a Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline using GitHub Actions. This hands-on guide covers the basics of cloud platforms, CI/CD pipelines, and tools and technologies, and provides step-by-step instructions for deploying and testing your application. ### Week 12: Final Project and Advanced Topics #### Topics: - [**Review of advanced topics: Caching strategies, performance optimization.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/n2t5kAaw): Mastering Express.js: Building Scalable Web Applications and APIs - Learn how to implement caching strategies and performance optimization techniques to build high-performance Express.js applications, including cache-aside, read-through, and write-through patterns, and how to optimize database queries, use a CDN, and distribute traffic with a load balancer. - [**Scaling Express applications (load balancing, microservices).**](https://spinncode.com/designs/QIhQq06W): Mastering Express.js: Scaling Your Web Applications and APIs requires a deep understanding of load balancing and microservices. By distributing traffic across multiple servers and breaking down large applications into smaller, independent services, you can build scalable and maintainable applications. Learn how to implement load balancing and microservices with Express.js, and take your web development skills to the next level. - [**Final project guidelines and expectations.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/c7kKmFid): Mastering Express.js: Complete Your Final Project with Confidence In this final topic, you'll learn how to create a high-quality final project that showcases your skills in building scalable web applications and APIs with Express.js. Follow the guidelines and requirements to ensure your project meets the course material's standards, and get ready to demonstrate your mastery of Express.js and its ecosystem. - [**Q&A session and troubleshooting for final projects.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/mpfOZ2jv): Mastering Express.js: Troubleshooting Your Final Project and Advanced Topics This comprehensive guide covers common issues and solutions for your Express.js final project, including error handling, route not found errors, database connection issues, security vulnerabilities, and performance optimization. With practical takeaways and additional resources, you'll be equipped to overcome challenges and successfully complete your project. #### Lab: - [**Begin working on the final project that integrates learned concepts into a full-stack Express.js application.**](https://spinncode.com/designs/cISp8S7b) #### Lab Summary: Learn how to integrate all the concepts learned in this Express.js course into a full-stack application, designing, developing, and deploying a scalable web application that utilizes various features and best practices. This lab topic covers project requirements, including authentication, authorization, RESTful API endpoints, real-time updates, and deployment, as well as tips and best practices for coding style, organization, and performance optimization. ## Final Project - **Description:** Develop a comprehensive Express.js web application or RESTful API that demonstrates mastery of the course material. The project should include user authentication, database interactions, and deployment to a cloud platform. - **Presentation:** Students will present their final projects, including a live demonstration and a code walkthrough, discussing key design decisions and challenges encountered. ## Grading Breakdown - **Assignments&Labs:** 40% - **MidtermProject:** 20% - **FinalProject:** 30% - **Participation&Quizzes:** 10%