JavaScript REST APIs: Getting Started from Pluralsight

This course will teach you how to use Node, Express, and JavaScript to create a set of REST APIs needed to retrieve and modify data.

With the amount of mobile applications and the need for fast websites, REST API developers are in high demand. In this course, JavaScript REST APIs: Getting Started, you’ll learn to build a simple Node.js and express server and create a set of endpoints. First, you’ll be shown how to build an endpoint to retrieve data. Next, you’ll discover how to create endpoints for POST, PUT, PATCH and DELETE. Then, you'll delve into the different HTTP status codes you should return from each endpoint. Next, you’ll explore how to handle exceptions and return a standardized JSON document. Finally, you’ll see how to call your REST APIs from JavaScript using the XMLHttpRequest object. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of Node.js, Express, and JavaScript needed to build your own REST APIs for use in mobile or other applications.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Build a Node Server for REST API Methods

Retrieve and Search for Data Using REST API Methods

Build REST API Methods to Modify Data

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores REST APIs, which are essential for building mobile apps and websites

Led by Paul D. Sheriff, an experienced instructor in REST APIs

Teaches practical skills for creating REST APIs in Node.js, Express, and JavaScript

Covers retrieving, modifying, and handling exceptions in REST APIs

Provides a comprehensive overview of REST API methodologies

Requires students to have basic JavaScript knowledge

Reviews summary

Foundational rest apis with node & express

According to learners, this course is a largely positive and excellent introduction to building REST APIs using Node.js and Express. Students consistently highlight the instructor's clear explanations and the practical, hands-on approach, making it ideal for absolute beginners in backend development. While it provides a strong foundation in core concepts like HTTP methods and status codes, a recurring point is that dependencies and libraries may be outdated, potentially requiring manual updates. This suggests a notable area for improvement to keep the course content current.

Focuses on basics, may lack depth for experienced developers.

"Too basic. I was hoping for more advanced topics like connecting to a database or more complex routing."

"The content felt a bit superficial for my needs."

"The content itself is okay for absolute beginners, but not for anyone with prior experience."

"I already had some Node.js experience, so some parts felt a bit slow, but it was good for a refresher on the API side."

Offers valuable hands-on coding and practical, real-world examples.

"I particularly liked the hands-on approach and the coverage of different HTTP methods."

"The practical exercises reinforced the learning perfectly. Highly recommend for beginners."

"The hands-on coding makes it very practical. I appreciated the focus on different HTTP verbs and status codes."

"The practical coding was exactly what I needed to understand the concepts. Very clear and well-structured."

Serves as an excellent starting point for new backend developers.

"This course is an excellent introduction to building REST APIs with Node.js and Express. It truly sets a strong foundation for anyone starting out."

"Absolutely fantastic! As someone who had little to no experience with Node.js or APIs, this course made it incredibly easy to understand."

"Perfect for beginners! I was completely new to backend development, and this course helped me grasp the basics of creating RESTful services."

"Solid introduction. Good for absolute beginners who need a guided tour."

Instructor provides highly clear and digestible explanations.

"The instructor explains concepts clearly and provides practical examples. It truly sets a strong foundation for anyone starting out."

"As someone who had little to no experience with Node.js or APIs, this course made it incredibly easy to understand. The instructor's explanations were top-notch."

"The instructor breaks down complex topics into digestible chunks, and the hands-on coding makes it very practical. I appreciated the focus on different HTTP verbs."

"I learned so much about building APIs and how Node.js and Express fit together. The practical coding was exactly what I needed to understand the concepts. Very clear."

Relies on older libraries, causing setup and compatibility.

"The libraries used seem a bit old now. I had to spend time updating some dependencies to get the code working, which was a bit frustrating."

"One minor issue was that some of the external packages used in the demos had slightly different versions, requiring minor adjustments."

"The course has good bones, but it seriously needs an update. Several packages are outdated, leading to errors and forcing me to troubleshoot on my own."

"It's alright... I think it could benefit from an update to current best practices and library versions."

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 REST APIs: Getting Started with these activities:

Collect Node.js REST API resources

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Enhance your learning journey by compiling a collection of valuable resources, including tutorials, articles, and code repositories, related to Node.js REST API development.

Browse courses on Node

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Search for online resources
Bookmark or save relevant articles and tutorials
Organize resources into categories
Share your compilation with others

Review HTTP status codes

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Strengthen your understanding of how to handle HTTP requests by reviewing common HTTP status codes used in REST API development.

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Read documentation and articles on HTTP status codes
Practice using status codes in your own projects

Follow Node.js REST API tutorials

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Follow guided tutorials from reputable sources to solidify your understanding of core Node.js and Express.js concepts for REST API development.

Browse courses on Node

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Identify reputable tutorials on Node.js REST APIs
Follow the step-by-step instructions in each tutorial
Experiment with different approaches and variations
Seek clarification or assistance when needed

Four other activities

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Join a Node.js REST API study group

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Engage with peers and gain diverse perspectives by joining a study group focused on Node.js REST API development.

Browse courses on Node

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Find or create a study group
Set regular meeting times
Discuss course materials, assignments, and projects
Collaborate on exercises and problem-solving

Solve Node.js REST API exercises

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Test your comprehension and apply your skills by solving coding exercises and challenges related to Node.js REST API development.

Browse courses on Node

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Find coding exercises and challenges online
Attempt to solve the exercises on your own
Review solutions and explanations
Repeat the process with different exercises

Build a full-stack REST API

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Build a Node.js REST API for a mini project using the concepts from the course to reinforce your understanding.

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Create a new Node.js project
Install the necessary dependencies
Define the data model
Build endpoints for CRUD operations
Deploy the API to a hosting platform

Develop a REST API documentation

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Enhance your understanding of REST API design and improve your communication skills by creating a comprehensive documentation for a sample REST API.

Browse courses on RESTful APIs

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Design and implement a sample REST API
Create a documentation outline
Write detailed descriptions of endpoints, request and response formats, and error handling
Include examples and code snippets for clarity

Career center

Learners who complete JavaScript REST APIs: Getting Started will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Back-End Web Developer

As a Back-End Web Developer, you will be in charge of many of the operations that REST APIs facilitate. This course can help build a foundation for you to succeed in the field by walking you through the whole process of building a REST API.

See salaries and explore the career path for Back-End Web Developer

Web Developer

As a Web Developer, you may use REST APIs for a number of reasons. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Mobile Application Developer

As a Mobile Application Developer, you will use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Mobile Application Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Application Developer

Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you may use REST APIs to retrieve data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

As a Database Administrator, you may be responsible for setting up and administering databases that are used by REST APIs. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Database Administrator.

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Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Full-Stack Developer

As a Full-Stack Developer, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Full-Stack Developer.

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Computer Programmer

As a Computer Programmer, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Computer Programmer.

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Software Developer

As a Software Developer, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Software Developer.

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Cloud Architect

As a Cloud Architect, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Cloud Architect.

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Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Data Scientist.

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Machine Learning Engineer

As a Machine Learning Engineer, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as a Machine Learning Engineer.

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Artificial Intelligence Engineer

As an Artificial Intelligence Engineer, you may use REST APIs to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can give you an understanding of how they're built, which will serve you well in your career as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer.

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Front-End Web Developer

The course will walk you through the whole process of building a REST API. As a Front-End Web Developer, you may encounter this on a daily basis. This course may help to build a foundation for you to succeed in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Web Developer