Backend Development and API Creation from Coursera

This course is your gateway to mastering backend development using Node.js and Express. You will start with the foundational aspects, including setting up your development environment, and move on to configuring and connecting to MongoDB. You'll learn how to structure your Express application and organize your route files, laying a solid groundwork for building scalable and maintainable backend services.

As you progress, the course dives deep into user authentication and security. You'll create a user model, implement registration and login routes, and secure your APIs using JWT authentication. The course also covers essential validation techniques to ensure your API endpoints are robust and error-free. Each module builds on the previous one, giving you a cohesive learning experience that enables you to create secure and efficient backend systems.

Towards the end, you’ll explore more advanced topics such as creating and managing user profiles, handling complex data relationships, and integrating additional routes for functionalities like experience and education management. By the course's conclusion, you'll be well-versed in building and deploying powerful backend services, ready to handle real-world applications.

This course is ideal for developers with a basic understanding of JavaScript and web development who want to specialize in backend development. Prior knowledge of Node.js basics and database concepts is recommended but not required.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

In this module, we will introduce you to the course, set up the necessary tools, and provide an overview of the main project we will build throughout. This foundational setup ensures you are ready to dive into full-stack development with the MERN stack.

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what should give you pause

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Uses Node.js and Express, which are standard tools for building scalable and maintainable backend services, making it highly relevant for modern web development

Covers user authentication and security using JWT, which is essential for securing APIs and protecting user data in modern web applications

Teaches MongoDB configuration, which is a NoSQL database commonly used in backend development for its flexibility and scalability

Prior knowledge of Node.js basics and database concepts is recommended, suggesting that learners without this background may need to acquire it separately

Emphasizes structuring Express applications and organizing route files, which are core skills for building maintainable and scalable backend systems

Focuses on creating and managing user profiles, handling complex data relationships, and integrating additional routes, which are practical skills for real-world applications

Reviews summary

Node.js backend and api essentials

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in backend development using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. Students particularly praise the practical, project-based approach, finding the hands-on activities effective for learning. The section on JWT authentication is frequently highlighted as a strong point, being well-explained and crucial for building secure APIs. While many find the lectures clear and helpful, some reviewers note that the course can move at a fast pace and might require more prior JavaScript knowledge or additional external resources for deeper understanding of certain topics or troubleshooting potential setup issues.

Strong coverage of API security.

"The authentication section using JWT was particularly well done and easy to follow."

"Really helped solidify my understanding of JWT authentication and how to implement it securely."

"The security module, especially JWT, was a standout part, very practical and well-explained."

"Implementing user authentication with JWT felt straightforward thanks to the course guidance."

Focuses on hands-on application.

"The hands-on coding and projects are the strongest part of the course for me, really helped solidify understanding."

"Loved the project-based approach, building a real application made the concepts much clearer than just theory."

"Applying the concepts through the project was key. It felt like building a real-world backend."

"I learned a lot by actually building the project alongside the instructor's steps."

May need additional learning.

"While it provides a good foundation, some parts could use more in-depth coverage or alternative approaches."

"Needed external resources for deeper understanding on specific topics or troubleshooting."

"Basic but functional; prepare to supplement with outside reading or tutorials for advanced topics."

"Good starting point, but it's not exhaustive. Further study is definitely required."

Can be fast-paced, requires prior knowledge.

"Sometimes moves a bit fast, especially if you're not already comfortable with intermediate JavaScript."

"Felt like it assumed more prior Node.js or database knowledge than the description implied."

"If you're a complete beginner to backend, you might find the pace challenging at times."

"Needed to pause frequently and sometimes look up things outside the course to keep up."

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 Backend Development and API Creation with these activities:

Review JavaScript Fundamentals

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Solidify your understanding of JavaScript fundamentals to ensure a smooth learning experience with Node.js and Express.

Browse courses on JavaScript Fundamentals

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Review data types, variables, and operators.
Practice working with functions and control flow.
Familiarize yourself with asynchronous JavaScript.

Brush up on Node.js Basics

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Revisit the core concepts of Node.js to prepare for building backend services with Express.

Browse courses on Node.js

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Review the Node.js event loop and module system.
Practice using npm to manage dependencies.
Explore basic file system operations in Node.js.

Read 'Node.js Design Patterns'

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Learn common design patterns used in Node.js to improve the structure and maintainability of your backend applications.

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

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Read the chapters on common backend design patterns.
Implement some of the patterns in a small project.

Four other activities

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Implement Basic Authentication

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Practice implementing user authentication with JWT to reinforce your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

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Set up a basic Express server.
Create user registration and login routes.
Implement JWT authentication for protected routes.

Read 'Pro MERN Stack'

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Expand your knowledge of the MERN stack to understand how the backend integrates with the frontend.

View Pro MERN Stack: Full Stack Web App Development... on Amazon

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Read the chapters on MERN stack architecture.
Explore the examples of full-stack applications.

Build a REST API for a Blog

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Apply your knowledge by building a REST API for a blog, including user authentication, post management, and comment functionality.

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Design the API endpoints and data models.
Implement the API using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB.
Secure the API with JWT authentication.
Write documentation for the API endpoints.

Contribute to an Open Source Node.js Project

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Contribute to an open-source Node.js project to gain practical experience and learn from other developers.

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Find a Node.js project on GitHub.
Identify a bug or feature to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Backend Development and API Creation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Backend Developer

A Backend Developer designs, builds, and maintains the server-side logic and databases that power applications. This course is directly relevant as it teaches how to create backend services using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, all essential technologies for a backend developer. This course is highly suitable as it covers how to structure an application, manage user authentication, and handle complex data relationships and routes, which are core tasks in backend development. A learner of this course will build a solid foundation in these areas, thus making them better able to secure robust and efficient backend systems, which are essential for a backend developer.

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API Developer

An API Developer specializes in designing, developing, and maintaining Application Programming Interfaces that allow different software systems to communicate with each other. This course is highly valuable for an API developer, as it specifically focuses on creating APIs with Node.js and Express, including setting up routes, handling validation, and implementing security measures like JWT authentication. The course will allow the API developer to learn how to build and secure API endpoints, and handle data efficiently. The course covers advanced topics like user profiles and complex data relationships, which are often handled by an API developer.

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Full-Stack Developer

A Full Stack Developer works on both the front-end and back-end of software applications. This course is a strong foundation for a full stack developer, especially when it comes to the back-end. The course teaches the fundamentals of setting up a development environment with Node.js and Express, connecting to MongoDB, and building backend services. A full stack developer can take the knowledge of user authentication and profile management from this course to build comprehensive full stack applications. The skills in this course allow for the building of scalable and maintainable backend services.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs and develops software systems, working on a variety of different components of applications. This course helps a Software Engineer to develop valuable skills in backend development. A software engineer can use what they learn about building scalable backend services, user authentication, and API creation in real-world applications. The course provides a deep dive into backend technologies such as Node.js and Express, which are increasingly important for a software engineer. By learning to build secure and efficient backend systems, a software engineer gains practical skills needed for many software engineering roles.

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Web Application Developer

A Web Application Developer is primarily responsible for developing web-based applications. This course helps a web application developer build the necessary backend skills. The course's focus on Node.js, Express, and MongoDB is highly relevant to the responsibilities of a web application developer, as these tools are often used in web development. This course provides knowledge in user authentication, profile management, and setting up robust API endpoints, all of which a web application developer works with frequently. The course will help the web application developer gain the backend expertise needed in this role.

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Systems Architect

A Systems Architect designs and oversees the structure of complex software systems. This course may benefit a Systems Architect by providing a granular understanding of the backend technologies used in modern applications. The course's hands-on approach to building backend services with Node.js and Express will provide insight into the architectural considerations that a system architect might need to understand. The topics on user authentication, data management, and route organization are helpful for understanding how software systems are built on the backend. While this course does not cover the breadth of skills an architect needs, it offers a focused view of a critical area of the systems.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is in charge of the performance, integrity, and security of a database. This course may be useful to a database administrator, especially since it implements MongoDB, a non-relational database. The course gives hands-on experience on how databases are connected and structured within a backend system. The course shows how to create and manage user data, which is beneficial for a database administrator wanting to see how databases are integrated into the overall application. The course is focused on backend development, but provides insight into database management within the scope of this role.

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Technical Lead

A Technical Lead is responsible for guiding a technical team and making high-level technical decisions. This course may help a technical lead working with backend systems. The course covers the fundamentals of backend development, including the creation of user authentication systems, API design, and data handling, which are all areas that a technical lead must understand. The course may be useful for a technical lead to better grasp the architecture of a backend system, as well as gain insight in the technologies and processes used by their team. While it is not specialized in leadership skills, by learning the tech stack of a backend it will help a technical lead become more proficient.

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Solutions Architect

A Solutions Architect designs and plans technical solutions to business problems. This course may be useful to a Solutions Architect by providing hands-on experience with backend development technologies. The course’s focus on Node.js, Express, and MongoDB will give a Solutions Architect detailed insight into the implementation details of a backend. A solutions architect should understand how user authentication and data management are implemented, and this course may help with that. This course will help a solutions architect have a better understanding of the technology that they are designing solutions for.

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DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is in charge of managing the infrastructure and deployment pipelines for software applications. This course may be useful to a DevOps engineer by providing a deeper understanding of the backend systems they will be deploying and managing. The course touches on how to set up a development environment and create backend services, giving insight that they might find useful when deploying backend applications. The course will help a DevOps Engineer better grasp the underlying systems that make up the applications they manage. While the course does not focus on deployment or infrastructure, it may be useful for the DevOps engineer looking to have a deeper perspective.

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IT Manager

An IT Manager oversees the technology infrastructure and resources of an organization. This course may be useful for an IT Manager who needs to understand how backend systems are developed and maintained within their organization. The course will provide insights into how APIs, databases and backend logic are developed using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, which may be beneficial for overseeing projects in software development. The course touches on user authentication and security, which are important aspects of any IT infrastructure. While this course is not directly aimed at management, it may provide additional context for an IT Manager.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager defines the vision and strategy for a product, often working closely with engineering teams. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of the backend is important for a product manager. This course may be useful as it provides insight into how modern backend systems are built using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. A product manager who understands user authentication, API design, and data management can make more informed decisions on product requirements. The course will allow a product manager to better communicate with a backend development team and manage a product's technical aspects.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates documentation for software, hardware, or other technical products. This course may be useful for a technical writer who needs to write documentation for backend systems. The course will provide an understanding of the structure of backend applications, as well as knowledge of creating secured APIs, managing user authentication, and handling data. It will help them write more accurate and comprehensive documentation. While this course does not directly teach writing skills, it may be helpful for technical writers that will cover these topics.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer ensures the quality of software through testing and analysis. This course may be useful for a Quality Assurance engineer by providing a better understanding of the backend development process. The course shows the creation of APIs, security measures, and data handling of a backend system, which is relevant to testing backend applications. The course helps a Quality Assurance engineer better understand a backend system and how to effectively test it. While this course is not specialized for testing knowledge, it may broaden an understanding of the software system.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course may be useful for a project manager working on projects that involve backend development. The course will give them a better understanding of how backend APIs, databases, and authentication systems are built using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. This course will allow them to have a more granular understanding of the work that a backend team undertakes and aid in planning projects. This is beneficial as this is outside the typical project management skillset. This course may be useful to a Project Manager who is leading a development team.

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Backend Development and API Creation

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Node.js backend and api essentials

Activities

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