Introduction to Sequelize ORM (w/ Express.js + Postgres) from Udemy

Hi and welcome to this course. Here, you will learn A LOT about how to build a simple backend with production-level code. We are going to learn how to set up a local database with Docker, how to use Express.js with Sequelize as the ORM and manipulate the database, how to test our code with Jest and more importantly, how to structure our code to test it easily. We will also learn:

Sequelize best practices (how to register models, how to register associations between models, how to add scopes, how to make simple queries, how to write migrations, etc.)
JWT and Bcrypt to handle authentication and
Testing with Jest (remember that untested code is broken code)
Express middlewares and how to test them
Docker and Docker Compose to set up a local database and avoid installing databases locally
Best practices in general (separating the Express app from the server for easier testing, separating model logic from the controller, hiding passwords from the response, etc.)

This course is different as I am looking for you to learn how production-level code looks like and build the habit to test every line of code you write. Most courses skip testing, but the reality is that testing is so important on software development that it is unbelievable that most courses out there just skip them.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn how to build a production-level application with express
How to set up a development environment that is easily reproducible and painless

Learn how to write migrations for our postgres database using sequelize orm
Expect to write tests for every line of code we write in our application

Learn how to build a production-level application with express
How to set up a development environment that is easily reproducible and painless
Learn how to write migrations for our postgres database using sequelize orm
Expect to write tests for every line of code we write in our application

Syllabus

Introduction

Necessary tools - Advise for Windows users

Necessary tools - Node Version Manager (NVM)

Join the Discord community

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers Sequelize best practices, including registering models and associations, adding scopes, writing migrations, and making simple queries, which are essential for backend development

Emphasizes testing with Jest, which is crucial for ensuring code quality and reliability in production-level applications, and is often overlooked in other courses

Utilizes Docker and Docker Compose to set up a local database, which simplifies development environment setup and avoids database installation complexities

Explores JWT and Bcrypt for handling authentication, which are standard security practices for user authentication and authorization in web applications

Requires using tools such as Docker, Postman, and DBeaver, which may require learners to set aside time to learn how to use them

Teaches how to configure Babel, Jest, and Nodemon, which are valuable tools for modern JavaScript development and testing

Reviews summary

Production-level backend with sequelize and testing

According to learners, this course offers a strong foundation for building a production-level backend using Express.js, Sequelize ORM, and Postgres. A key strength highlighted by many is the intense focus on testing with Jest, which students feel is crucial for real-world development and sets the course apart. The integration of Docker for database setup is also seen as highly beneficial and painless. However, some students found the course title "Introduction" slightly misleading, noting that it assumes a certain level of prior knowledge and can be challenging for absolute beginners due to the pace and the complexity added by the testing emphasis. A few also encountered minor setup and dependency issues. Overall, it's considered a highly valuable course for those looking to write robust, testable backend code.

Using Docker for database setup is smooth and useful.

"Setting up Docker was also very helpful."

"The Docker setup was smooth."

"Docker made setting up the database painless."

"Learning to integrate Sequelize... and manage the database with Docker was super useful."

Teaches building robust, production-level backend code.

"learn A LOT about how to build a simple backend with production-level code."

"The best part is how it teaches you to write production-ready code..."

"A truly production-focused course."

"It prepares you well for real-world projects."

"focuses on practical, production-grade backend development."

Emphasis on testing with Jest is a key strength.

"The emphasis on testing with Jest is a major plus, reflecting real-world development practices."

"I really appreciate the focus on testing, which is often overlooked in other tutorials."

"The best part is how it teaches you to write production-ready code and tests for everything."

"The testing part is crucial and well-explained."

"The testing part is its biggest strength."

"The focus on testing sets it apart."

Some faced issues with slightly outdated dependencies.

"Some dependencies felt slightly out of date, leading to minor setup issues."

"troubleshooting dependency issues took a lot of time."

"Had some issues with setup and dependencies being slightly outdated."

Not for true beginners, assumes existing skills.

"The 'introduction' label is misleading; it assumes a good amount of prior knowledge with Node.js, Express, and even some database concepts."

"I struggled with this course."

"A bit challenging if you're not already comfortable with the stack."

"Good... but maybe not the best 'introduction'."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Sequelize ORM (w/ Express.js + Postgres) with these activities:

Review Relational Database Concepts

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of relational database concepts like tables, schemas, foreign keys, and joins. This will provide a strong foundation for working with Sequelize and Postgres.

Browse courses on Relational Databases

Show steps

Review database normalization principles.
Practice writing basic SQL queries.
Familiarize yourself with common database terminology.

Brush up on Express.js Fundamentals

Show steps

Review the core concepts of Express.js, including routing, middleware, and request handling. This will make it easier to understand how Express.js is used in conjunction with Sequelize.

Browse courses on Express.js

Show steps

Review the Express.js documentation.
Practice building simple Express.js applications.
Understand how middleware functions work.

Review 'Node.js Design Patterns'

Show steps

Learn about common design patterns used in Node.js applications. This will help you write cleaner, more maintainable code when working with Express.js and Sequelize.

View Node.js Design Patterns - Third edition: Design... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on backend architecture and data access patterns.
Identify patterns that can be applied to the course project.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice Sequelize Queries

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of Sequelize by practicing different types of queries. This will help you become more comfortable with the ORM and its syntax.

Show steps

Set up a local database with sample data.
Write queries to retrieve, create, update, and delete data.
Experiment with different Sequelize operators and associations.

Document Sequelize Associations

Show steps

Create a visual guide or cheat sheet explaining different types of Sequelize associations (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many). This will help solidify your understanding of database relationships and how to implement them with Sequelize.

Browse courses on ORM

Show steps

Research different types of Sequelize associations.
Create diagrams or illustrations to explain each association type.
Write code examples demonstrating how to implement each association.

Extend the Course Project

Show steps

Expand upon the project built during the course by adding new features or functionality. This will give you the opportunity to apply what you've learned and further develop your skills.

Browse courses on Express.js

Show steps

Identify a feature or functionality to add to the project.
Design the database schema and API endpoints for the new feature.
Implement the feature using Express.js, Sequelize, and Postgres.
Write tests for the new feature.

Contribute to a Sequelize Plugin

Show steps

Contribute to an open-source Sequelize plugin or library. This will give you experience working with a real-world codebase and collaborating with other developers.

Show steps

Find a Sequelize plugin or library on GitHub.
Identify a bug or feature to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Sequelize ORM (w/ Express.js + Postgres) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Backend Developer

A Backend Developer is responsible for the server-side logic and database management of applications. This role often involves designing and implementing APIs that power the frontend. This course will help you understand how to structure and test backend code using Express.js and Sequelize with a Postgres database. The course emphasizes testing and best practices like separating application logic and database management, which are crucial for developing production-ready applications. You will also learn to implement JWT and Bcrypt for authentication and how to connect to a database with Docker, all of which are essential tools in a backend developer's toolkit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer

Full-Stack Developer

A Full Stack Developer works on both the front-end and back-end of an application, integrating the two seamlessly. This course helps build vital backend skills, specifically how to set up databases locally using Docker, how to use Sequelize as an ORM with Express, and how to test your code effectively. Since full-stack developers often need to work on the backend, this course’s focus on production-level code and best practices like separating application logic from the server and model layers, along with authentication strategies, helps prepare for the many backend tasks found in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems, which can include web applications and databases. This course helps a software engineer understand how to build production level code, structure it for testability, and manage a database using Sequelize. The course also covers testing with Jest, which makes this course an ideal choice given that testing is often an area of concern for software engineers. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on Docker for setting up local databases and separating concerns are essential skills for a software engineer to create robust applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

API Developer

An API Developer designs and builds application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow different software systems to communicate. This course is specifically helpful because it covers building a backend, including setting up a database, which includes the use of Express.js and Sequelize as the ORM. The emphasis on best practices for structuring code that is easy to test, along with the coverage of JWT and Bcrypt for authentication, makes this course highly relevant for anyone aiming to develop robust and secure APIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for API Developer

Application Developer

An Application Developer focuses on creating and maintaining applications, which can be web, mobile, or desktop-based. This course helps this type of developer gain the skills needed to build, test, and structure backend production level code. The course's focus on using Sequelize with Express.js to handle database interactions, along with writing migrations and testing, is especially relevant for building robust applications. You will also learn about authentication using JWT and Bcrypt, which are critical parts of many applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Developer

Quality Assurance Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer tests software to ensure it meets standards and is free of bugs. This course is excellent for someone pursuing this career path because of its emphasis on testing, with in depth lessons on writing test suites with Jest. The QA engineer needs to know what kinds of tests can be written, and this course can help learn how to thoroughly test an application, especially related to the back end. The course also provides a very good understanding of the testing process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer

Database Administrator

The responsibilities of a Database Administrator include managing, maintaining, and securing databases. While this course does not focus on all aspects of administration, it introduces key concepts related to database structure, migrations, and manipulation using Sequelize and Postgres. The course will also familiarize you with setting up a local database using Docker and best practices for testing any changes, which is particularly useful for anyone who wants to learn more about working with databases in a development environment. A Database Administrator also needs to know how databases can respond to applications, and this course will be an excellent introduction to that.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer works to streamline and automate the software development process, from coding to deployment. This course may assist because it provides hands-on experience with Docker and Docker Compose for setting up a local database. The engineer will also benefit from learning how to structure code effectively using best practices, as this is a common task for DevOps roles in order to test, build, and deploy applications. The course also covers setting up a development environment that is easily reproducible, which is a key concern for DevOps personnel.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Technical Consultant

A Technical Consultant provides expertise on technology solutions to clients, which often means needing to understand the technical underpinnings of the software. This course may be useful because it covers how to set up a development environment, manipulate databases using Sequelize, and how to implement API design. The course’s coverage of testing and best practices allows a technical consultant to better understand software development processes and discuss development issues with clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Consultant

Solutions Architect

A Solutions Architect designs high-level architecture for software solutions while also planning for scalability, maintainability, and security. This course may provide a valuable foundation to aid in these activities through its teaching of how to structure backend code effectively, test that code, and manage database interactions. Specifically, the course covers connecting to databases using Docker, implementing authentication strategies with JWT and Bcrypt, and structuring APIs, all of which are components that a solutions architect needs to plan solutions for.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solutions Architect

IT Project Manager

An IT Project Manager oversees technology projects and coordinates different teams, ensuring that development is on schedule and within budget. While this role is not technical, this course may be helpful to learn about the development process. Gaining an understanding of the work done by developers, particularly backend developers, through working with Express.js, Sequelize, and testing frameworks, can provide a better understanding of the technical process. This awareness will be useful when planning and managing software projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Technical Support Engineer

A Technical Support Engineer provides support to users of technical systems, often requiring some technical knowledge to identify and resolve issues. This course may be helpful to learn about the backend development process and how to interact with databases using Sequelize and Postgres. By becoming more familiar with a typical development stack, a support engineer can better understand how systems are built and how to better support its users. The course’s focus on testing can also help with understanding development problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Engineer

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer builds and manages the infrastructure required for collecting, storing, processing, and transforming data. This course may be useful because it involves structuring databases, setting up local SQL databases with Docker, and creating migrations with Sequelize. While it does not cover the complete scope of a data engineer's responsibilities, the database manipulation techniques and integration into a web application taught in this course will help you become familiar with using databases in a software system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates documentation for technical products which requires an understanding of the technical aspects of the product. This course may be useful because it may introduce you to backend development. By becoming familiar with the tools used, such as Express.js and Sequelize, and by learning database concepts, a technical writer will be better prepared to document these systems. It also helps to understand the software development process, which this course can help you better grasp.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst analyzes and designs computer systems, and this often requires an understanding of how software is built. This course may be useful because it teaches how to build and test a backend application from scratch. Knowing how to build and test a backend using tools like Express.js, Sequelize, and Jest, will give a systems analyst perspective on how various software components interact, which will ultimately help with requirements gathering and system design. In that sense, this course may help you work with stakeholders in a software project.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Sequelize ORM (w/ Express.js + Postgres).

Node.js Design Patterns

Save

Explores various design patterns applicable to Node.js development, including those relevant to backend architecture and ORM usage. It provides insights into structuring your code for maintainability and scalability, which aligns with the course's emphasis on production-level code. While not strictly Sequelize-focused, it offers valuable context for building robust applications. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

Node.js Design Patterns - Third edition: Design and...

Paperback

Node.js Design Patterns - Second Edition: Master...

Kindle Edition

Introduction to Sequelize ORM (w/ Express.js + Postgres)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Production-level backend with sequelize and testing

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses