JavaScript Back-end Capstone Project from Coursera

Demonstrate your mastery of JavaScript back-end application development by completing this capstone project! In this course, you will apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life inspired challenge and use your expertise to develop a successful solution.

The project provides you with an opportunity to solidify your JavaScript back-end proficiency. In this course, you develop a robust microservices back-end architecture using JavaScript, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, and apply CI/CD and Kanban board practices.

In this capstone, you apply knowledge of in-demand skills such as:

- Write RESTful APIs with appropriate error handling

- Create MongoDB APIs for CRUD operations

- Test and invoke microservices to verify their functionality

- Implement back-end security best practices using JWT

- Integrate with a front end to deploy the full-stack app using IBM Code Engine and Kubernetes

Upon completion, you will have a working back-end application to showcase to potential employers.

Before starting this course, we recommend completing all the other courses offered in the IBM JavaScript Backend Software Developer Professional Certificate.

What's inside

Syllabus

Project Introduction, Repository Setup, User Stories and Database Setup

In this module, you begin developing the "Second Chance" back-end application. You learn about the application for the project in a walk-through video and get a high-level perspective by reading about its architecture and requirements in the project overview. In the first of two labs in the module, you develop a GitHub user story template and subsequent user stories for the application’s development. In the second lab, you will apply your skills to set up the NoSQL MongoDB database that provides the data and data management for the application.

Back-end APIs and Services

In this module, you develop back-end APIs and services in three labs. In the first lab, you will create the API for handling secondChance Items. The API includes retrieving secondChanceItems from the database, fetching an item by its ID, adding an item to the secondChance database, modifying an item in the secondChance database, and deleting an item from the database. You configure the secondChanceItems route in the main Express application. In the second lab, you develop the search function API, including functionality to filter by different item attributes. You also integrate the search route into the Express application. In the third lab, you will develop an Express server to perform sentiment analysis using an NPM package that provides functionality for natural language processing.

Authentication with JWT

In this module, there are four labs. In three of the labs, you complete the development of three APIs in the back end to handle registration, login, and updates to the user profile securely. In the fourth lab, you integrate the front end (provided to you) with the back end. Then, you test the back end's functionality from the front end's perspective.

CI/CD, Containerize, and Deploy

In the two labs in this module, you will work to containerize and deploy your application. The first lab presents some CI/CD practices using linting with GitHub Actions to ensure the code meets coding standards. In the second lab, you will deploy MongoDB, the back-end server using Kubernetes, and the front-end server using IBM Code Engine.

Final Project Submission and Peer Review

In this module, you submit your final project for evaluation. A peer will evaluate your application and you will evaluate one of theirs. A rubric provides a list of criteria for assessment. The rubric also gives point values depending on the completeness of the criteria.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops real-life applicable JavaScript back-end microservices

Applies modern technology stack: JavaScript, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, CI/CD, Kanban

Suitable for learners with some JavaScript back-end experience

Course completion provides a portfolio-worthy project

Provides hands-on practice with industry-standard tools and techniques

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 JavaScript Back-end Capstone Project with these activities:

Solve JavaScript Coding Challenges

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Solving coding challenges will sharpen your JavaScript programming skills and deepen your understanding of back-end development concepts.

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Find reputable online coding challenge platforms
Select challenges appropriate to your skill level
Attempt to solve the challenges independently

Design a Database Schema for a NoSQL MongoDB Database

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Creating a database schema will help you grasp the principles of data storage and retrieval for NoSQL databases.

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Identify the entities and relationships in the domain
Choose appropriate data types and structures for each field
Consider indexing strategies for optimal query performance

Participate in Code Review Sessions

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Engaging in code review sessions will hone your ability to provide and receive feedback on back-end code implementations.

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Join an online community or study group focused on JavaScript back-end development
Share your code for review and provide feedback on the code of others
Discuss best practices, design patterns, and code optimization techniques

Four other activities

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Write and Test RESTful API Endpoints

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Creating and testing RESTful APIs will solidify your understanding of how to build robust back-ends.

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Implement GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE endpoints
Handle error scenarios and return appropriate HTTP status codes
Use unit testing frameworks to test API functionality

Attend a Workshop on Implementing JWT Authentication

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Attending a workshop will provide you with hands-on experience in implementing JWT authentication for back-end applications.

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Actively participate in discussions and exercises
Find a reputable workshop hosted by industry experts
Register and attend the workshop

Develop a CI/CD Pipeline using GitHub Actions

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Building a CI/CD pipeline will enhance your understanding of continuous integration and deployment practices for back-end development.

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Set up a GitHub repository for your project
Create GitHub Actions workflows for building, testing, and deploying your application
Configure automated triggers for your workflows

Deploy a Full-Stack Application using IBM Code Engine and Kubernetes

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Deploying a full-stack application will provide you with practical experience in deploying and managing back-end services in a production environment.

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Set up an IBM Cloud account
Create a Kubernetes cluster and deploy your back-end application to it
Deploy your front-end application using IBM Code Engine

Career center

Learners who complete JavaScript Back-end Capstone Project will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

JavaScript Developer

JavaScript Developers specialize in developing and maintaining JavaScript applications. This course provides a deep dive into JavaScript, including back-end development, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become JavaScript Developers.

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Node.js Developer

Node.js Developers use JavaScript to develop server-side applications. This course provides hands-on experience with Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, which are essential technologies for Node.js development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Node.js Developer

Backend Developer

Backend Developers specialize in developing and maintaining the backend of web applications. This course provides a strong foundation in backend development, including how to design, implement, and manage backend systems, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Backend Developers.

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Express Developer

Express Developers specialize in developing web applications using the Express framework for Node.js. This course provides a deep understanding of Express, including how to create RESTful APIs and handle authentication, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Express Developers.

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Full-Stack Developer

Full Stack Developers work on both front-end and back-end development. This course provides a strong foundation in JavaScript, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, which are essential technologies for full stack development,

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MongoDB Developer

MongoDB Developers specialize in developing and maintaining MongoDB databases. This course provides a strong foundation in MongoDB, including how to create, manage, and query databases, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become MongoDB Developers.

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RESTful API Developer

RESTful API Developers specialize in developing and maintaining RESTful APIs. This course provides a deep understanding of RESTful APIs, including how to design, implement, and secure APIs, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become RESTful API Developers.

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Microservices Architect

Microservices Architects design and implement microservices architectures. This course provides a strong foundation in microservices architecture, including how to design, implement, and manage microservices, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Microservices Architects.

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Web Developer

Web Developers specialize in developing and maintaining websites. This course provides a strong foundation in web development, including how to design, implement, and manage websites, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Web Developers.

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Front-End Developer

Front End Developers specialize in developing and maintaining the user interface of web applications. This course provides a strong foundation in front end development, including how to design, implement, and manage user interfaces, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Front End Developers.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. This course provides a strong foundation in DevOps practices, including how to implement CI/CD pipelines and manage infrastructure, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become DevOps Engineers.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists specialize in extracting insights from data. This course provides a strong foundation in data science, including how to collect, clean, and analyze data, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Data Scientists.

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Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and implement cloud computing solutions. This course provides a strong foundation in cloud computing, including how to design, implement, and manage cloud solutions, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Cloud Architects.

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Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers specialize in developing and deploying machine learning models. This course provides a strong foundation in machine learning, including how to train and evaluate models, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to become Machine Learning Engineers.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers need a solid understanding of object-oriented programming principles and software development methodologies. This course helps build a foundation in object-oriented programming and functional programming, helping you to become a successful Software Engineer.

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