Ultimate Guide to FastAPI and Backend Development from Udemy

Unlock the Power of APIs with Python and FastAPI.

Ready to transform your Python skills into building blazing-fast, production-ready APIs? This hands-on course is your definitive guide to crafting high-performance APIs using FastAPI and Python.

Go beyond theory and build a complete backend API for a real-world Delivery Management System. You'll master essential backend concepts like the request/response cycle, data modeling, databases, asynchronous programming, and dependency injection – all while leveraging the power of FastAPI's built-in features: asynchronous speed, automatic data validation, OpenAPI support, and exceptional developer productivity.

Python

Even though having a basic understanding of python is required, core language concepts like type hinting, decorator functions, context managers, async programming and others will still be covered.

SQL Database

We will cover databases and SQL from the basics. Especially if you're a beginner, we will first learn the need for structured databases, what SQL is, how to define tables and write SQL queries.

Then we will integrate a SQLite database manually with our FastAPI application and then leverage modern tools like SQLModel to define database table schema and FastAPI's powerful dependency injection to provide database session to API endpoints.

After covering the essentials, we will move onto advanced concepts like asynchronous database (PostgreSQL), manage schema changes with alembic migrations, define one-to-many and many-to-many SQL relationships and link models.

User Authentication

FastAPI has built-in support for OAuth2 Scheme. Implement secure user authentication with OAuth2 Password Flow and handle user signups, email verification of registered users, login, control access to endpoints with JWT, allow password resets and logout users.

Email and SMS Notifications

In our delivery management system, we will send email updates and sms to recipients on shipment updates. Like sending tracking links with email on order placed, shipment status updates, and sending verification codes or OTP as sms to recieve shipments.

API Testing

Learn the basics of the pytest - testing framework. Write and run simple tests, and use fixtures to manage test state. Then, write test for API endpoints with FastAPI's built-in test client.

We will cover required concepts when testing APIs like setting up test databases, overriding dependencies, authentication in test functions and automate testing with schemathesis.

Frontend?

As a bonus, we will also cover frontend web development with React JS. Covering the essentials like components, state management, hooks, context providers and routing. Using modern and meme proof tools like Vite, Axios, React Router, Shadcn UI, and Tanstack React Query.

Docker

Learn the industry standard tool for packaging applications. We will cover the basics of docker and the essential concepts of containerisation. And run our API Server, PostgreSQL database, Redis and Celery background worker seamlessly with Docker Compose.

If you're a Python developer looking to create fast, reliable, and modern web APIs, and if you're eager to understand and build the backend yourself, then this course is your perfect starting point.

Join us in the first lesson and start building today.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Build a complete restful api for a delivery management system, adhering to best practices
Define pydantic models for request and response data validation, ensuring type safety
Connect a fastapi application to a sql database (sqlite, postgresql) and integrate with endpoints using dependency injection
Operate on sql database with sqlmodel and define one-to-many and many-to-many sql relationships
Manage database schema changes with alembic migrations, upgrade, downgrade and auto-generate revisions

Implement secure authentication using oauth2 scheme in a fastapi application, including email validation, login/logouts and password resets
Send email and sms notifications from a fastapi application triggered by shipment events
Integrate celery with a fastapi application to offload time-consuming tasks to a background worker from an api endpoint
Package a fastapi application with docker and related services using docker compose
Deploy a fastapi application along with other services

Build a complete restful api for a delivery management system, adhering to best practices
Define pydantic models for request and response data validation, ensuring type safety
Connect a fastapi application to a sql database (sqlite, postgresql) and integrate with endpoints using dependency injection
Operate on sql database with sqlmodel and define one-to-many and many-to-many sql relationships
Manage database schema changes with alembic migrations, upgrade, downgrade and auto-generate revisions
Implement secure authentication using oauth2 scheme in a fastapi application, including email validation, login/logouts and password resets
Send email and sms notifications from a fastapi application triggered by shipment events
Integrate celery with a fastapi application to offload time-consuming tasks to a background worker from an api endpoint
Package a fastapi application with docker and related services using docker compose
Deploy a fastapi application along with other services

Syllabus

General understanding of APIs

Curriculum Overview

What are REST APIs?

What is FastAPI?

Career center

Learners who complete Ultimate Guide to FastAPI and Backend Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Backend Developer

A Backend Developer crafts the server-side logic and infrastructure that powers applications, ensuring data is stored, retrieved, and processed efficiently. This course provides a comprehensive foundation for a Backend Developer role, focusing on Python and FastAPI to build high-performance, production-ready APIs. You will gain hands-on experience in essential backend concepts like the request/response cycle, data modeling, and robust database integration with SQL and SQLModel, including schema management with Alembic. The curriculum covers secure user authentication with OAuth2, asynchronous programming, API testing with pytest, and packaging applications with Docker for seamless deployment. This holistic training, from API design to testing and deployment, makes this course an excellent starting point for mastering backend development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer

Web Service Developer

A Web Service Developer specializes in designing, building, and maintaining the interfaces that enable different software systems to communicate, often known as Application Programming Interfaces. This course is explicitly designed to empower you as a Web Service Developer, guiding you through unlocking the power of APIs with Python and FastAPI. You will build a complete RESTful API, mastering FastAPI's built-in features for asynchronous speed, automatic data validation, and OpenAPI support. The course details how to define Pydantic models for validation, implement robust user authentication with OAuth2 and JWT, and integrate various services like email and SMS notifications. Comprehensive API testing with pytest and deployment strategies using Docker are also covered. This focused approach on API creation and management is precisely what an aspiring Web Service Developer needs to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Service Developer

Python Developer

A Python Developer leverages the versatility of the Python language to build diverse software solutions, ranging from web applications to data processing tools. This course significantly enhances your proficiency as a Python Developer by focusing on building high-performance backend systems. It covers core Python language concepts like type hinting, decorator functions, and asynchronous programming, applying them directly to real-world API development with FastAPI. You will gain extensive experience in using Python to interact with SQL databases, implement complex authentication schemes, and orchestrate services using Docker. For any Python Developer aiming to specialize in robust backend and API development, this course provides a deep, practical understanding of building scalable and maintainable systems using modern Python techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Python Developer

Integration Engineer

An Integration Engineer focuses on connecting different software systems and applications, often by building and managing APIs to facilitate seamless data exchange. This course is an excellent resource for an Integration Engineer, as it provides an ultimate guide to building and consuming RESTful APIs using Python and FastAPI. You will master the fundamentals of the request/response cycle, learn to define API schemas for data validation, and implement secure communication channels with OAuth2 and JWT. The course also covers critical aspects like sending email and SMS notifications, which are common integration points. By extensively covering API creation, authentication, and inter-service communication, this course directly supports the core competencies of an Integration Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Integration Engineer

Full-Stack Developer

A Full Stack Developer possesses the expertise to work on both the front-end (user interface) and back-end (server, database) components of web applications. This course offers a strong foundation for a Full Stack Developer, providing an ultimate guide to backend development with Python and FastAPI. You will master critical backend skills such as building RESTful APIs, integrating SQL databases, implementing secure user authentication, and deploying applications with Docker Compose. As a beneficial addition, the course also covers essential frontend web development concepts with React JS, including components, state management, and routing. This dual focus, offering deep backend expertise combined with practical frontend insights, helps build a comprehensive skillset for a Full Stack Developer role.

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

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems, applying engineering principles to create robust and efficient applications. This course equips aspiring Software Engineers with a holistic understanding of building and deploying modern web services. It covers fundamental software engineering practices such as API design best practices, data modeling with Pydantic, database management with SQL and ORM like SQLModel, and asynchronous programming. Furthermore, the course emphasizes critical aspects like secure authentication, comprehensive API testing with pytest, and containerization using Docker. Mastering these elements empowers a Software Engineer to develop scalable, reliable, and secure backend solutions from conception to deployment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Database Developer

A Database Developer designs, implements, and manages databases to ensure data integrity, performance, and availability for applications. This course provides comprehensive training highly beneficial for a Database Developer, covering SQL databases from the basics to advanced concepts. You will learn to define tables, write SQL queries, and deeply integrate SQL databases like SQLite and PostgreSQL with applications using modern tools like SQLModel. The curriculum explicitly covers managing database schema changes with Alembic migrations, defining one-to-many and many-to-many SQL relationships, and providing database sessions through dependency injection. This detailed exploration of database concepts and practical implementation makes this course particularly relevant for specializing in database development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Developer

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer designs, implements, and manages cloud-based infrastructure and applications, focusing on scalability, reliability, and security in cloud environments. This course builds foundational skills that can be highly beneficial for a Cloud Engineer, particularly concerning application deployment and containerization. You will learn Docker and essential concepts of containerization, using Docker Compose to seamlessly run your API server, PostgreSQL database, Redis, and Celery background worker. The course culminates in deploying a FastAPI application along with other services, providing practical experience with the tools and techniques vital for managing applications in a cloud-native context. This hands-on deployment knowledge is a significant asset for aspiring Cloud Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Application Security Engineer

An Application Security Engineer focuses on protecting software applications from vulnerabilities and attacks throughout their lifecycle. This course provides highly relevant and practical skills for an Application Security Engineer role by focusing intently on secure API development. You will implement robust user authentication using the OAuth2 Password Flow, learn to handle user signups, email verification, password resets, and control access with JWT. The curriculum also covers implementing a token blacklist to invalidate tokens and identifies specific security considerations within API endpoints. This direct, hands-on experience in building secure authentication and access control mechanisms for APIs is vital for anyone pursuing a career in application security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Engineer

Solutions Architect

A Solutions Architect designs the overall structure of complex software systems, ensuring they meet business requirements for scalability, performance, and security. This course may be helpful for a Solutions Architect by providing a deep, practical understanding of modern backend and API architecture. You will gain insight into defining Pydantic models for data validation, integrating asynchronous databases, and managing complex SQL relationships. The curriculum covers secure user authentication, leveraging Celery for background tasks, and orchestrating services with Docker Compose for deployment. While a Solutions Architect role typically requires extensive prior experience, the comprehensive exposure to designing and implementing a complete, production-ready backend system helps build a foundational understanding of technical solution design. This role often requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solutions Architect

Deployment Automation Engineer

A Deployment Automation Engineer focuses on streamlining the process of deploying software, creating efficient pipelines and reliable infrastructure for continuous delivery. This course may be helpful for a Deployment Automation Engineer by providing critical knowledge in building and deploying robust backend services. You will learn industry-standard tools like Docker for packaging applications and Docker Compose for orchestrating multi-service environments. The curriculum also extensively covers application programming interface testing with pytest and schemathesis, ensuring code quality and reliability, which are key tenets of automated deployments. Furthermore, understanding the deployment of FastAPI applications and managing schema changes with Alembic migrations contributes to a holistic view of the software delivery pipeline, which is valuable for anyone aiming to automate and optimize deployment workflows.

See salaries and explore the career path for Deployment Automation Engineer

Technical Lead

A Technical Lead guides a development team, providing technical direction, mentoring engineers, and ensuring the quality and successful delivery of software projects. This course may be helpful for an aspiring Technical Lead by imparting a comprehensive understanding of building a complete, production-ready backend system. You will master best practices in API design with FastAPI, robust database integration, secure authentication, and advanced testing methodologies. The curriculum also covers critical deployment strategies using Docker, offering a holistic view of the software development lifecycle. While leadership skills are not explicitly taught, the depth of technical knowledge gained, covering the entire backend stack from concept to deployment, provides an individual with the expertise required to guide and evaluate complex technical solutions, a key aspect of a Technical Lead role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Lead

Site Reliability Engineer

A Site Reliability Engineer ensures that production systems are reliable, scalable, and efficient, often focusing on automation, monitoring, and incident response. This course may be useful for a Site Reliability Engineer by providing a solid understanding of building and deploying resilient backend services. You will learn to work with production-ready asynchronous databases, implement background workers with Celery, and package applications with Docker for consistent environments. The emphasis on API testing with pytest and understanding deployment processes also contributes to developing an operational mindset. While SRE often requires broader systems and infrastructure expertise, this course's focus on building stable, testable, and deployable APIs can help a candidate understand the underlying application reliability needs. This role often requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Reliability Engineer

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure and systems for collecting, processing, and storing large datasets. This course may be useful for a Data Engineer by providing a strong foundation in database management and API development. You will gain extensive knowledge of SQL databases, including PostgreSQL, learning to define tables, write complex queries, manage schema changes with Alembic, and establish one-to-many and many-to-many relationships. The ability to build robust RESTful APIs with FastAPI also enables a Data Engineer to create data ingestion endpoints or serve processed data to other applications. While its primary focus is not data pipelines, the deep dive into structured databases and API communication is a highly complementary skillset for a Data Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Machine Learning Operations Engineer

A Machine Learning Operations Engineer focuses on deploying, monitoring, and maintaining machine learning models in production environments, bridging the gap between ML development and operations. This course may be helpful for a Machine Learning Operations Engineer by providing crucial skills in building and deploying high-performance backend services. FastAPI is increasingly popular for serving machine learning models as APIs. You will learn to package applications with Docker and deploy them, which is fundamental for containerizing ML models. The course also covers asynchronous programming and robust API testing, contributing to building reliable and scalable model serving infrastructure. While the course does not cover machine learning itself, the strong foundation in API development and deployment provides valuable skills for operationalizing ML models effectively in a production setting. This role often requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Operations Engineer