Mastering REST APIs with FastAPI from Coursera

Embark on an immersive journey to master the art of building and deploying REST APIs with FastAPI. This comprehensive course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create efficient, high-performance APIs that leverage the latest industry practices. Learn how to integrate asynchronous databases, implement user authentication, and manage application logging to ensure secure and scalable API solutions.

Begin your journey by understanding the basics of APIs, REST principles, and FastAPI. Build your first FastAPI application and enhance it with practical features like social media posts and comments. Move deeper into essential topics like testing with pytest, logging, and handling many-to-many relationships, ensuring your applications are robust and maintainable.

Explore advanced features such as working with asynchronous databases, implementing user authentication with JWTs, and enabling email confirmations. Learn how to upload files, generate images using background tasks, and deploy FastAPI applications with modern deployment platforms like Render. Discover tools like Sentry for error monitoring and GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipelines.

This course is ideal for intermediate Python developers aiming to specialize in building APIs. While basic Python knowledge is necessary, the step-by-step approach ensures that you can follow along easily. If you’re passionate about creating professional-grade APIs, this course is your gateway to success.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction

In this module, we will lay the foundation for your journey into mastering REST APIs with FastAPI. You will explore the importance of community in software development, gain clarity on what to expect from this course, and dive into the core concepts of APIs and REST, setting the stage for the practical lessons ahead.

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses FastAPI, which is known for its high performance and ease of use, making it a strong choice for building modern APIs

Covers testing with pytest, which is essential for ensuring the reliability and maintainability of FastAPI applications

Explores asynchronous databases, which are crucial for building scalable and responsive APIs that can handle a large number of concurrent requests

Includes user authentication with JWTs, which is a standard practice for securing APIs and protecting user data

Requires basic Python knowledge, so learners without this foundation may need to acquire it before taking the course

Teaches deployment on Render, which may require learners to create an account and familiarize themselves with the platform's pricing and features

Reviews summary

Mastering rest apis with fastapi

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive deep dive into building robust REST APIs using FastAPI. Students particularly praise the practical, hands-on approach with real-world projects, covering essential topics like asynchronous databases, user authentication with JWT, and effective testing with pytest. While the course is geared towards intermediate Python developers, some note that a solid understanding of Python basics and async concepts is beneficial to keep pace. The coverage of deployment strategies, logging, and background tasks is frequently highlighted as valuable for production readiness making it highly relevant for professionals.

Valuable insights into deploying and managing FastAPI applications.

"The section on deploying to Render and integrating Sentry and GitHub Actions was incredibly useful for production readiness."

"Understanding CI/CD with GitHub Actions and error tracking with Sentry makes this course stand out."

"The deployment module tied everything together nicely, showing how to get the API live."

Strong emphasis and clear guidance on testing FastAPI applications.

"Learning how to write tests with pytest specifically for FastAPI endpoints was a game-changer for me."

"The testing module was excellent, providing a solid foundation for ensuring API reliability."

"Testing is often overlooked, but this course dedicates proper time to it, which is fantastic."

Broad range of essential topics for production APIs covered well.

"Covers authentication, async databases, testing, logging, and deployment - exactly what I needed for building full-featured APIs."

"The modules on JWT authentication and async database integration were particularly strong and well-explained."

"Everything from basic routing to file uploads and background tasks is included, making it a truly comprehensive guide."

Course excels at teaching through practical, real-world projects.

"The projects are hands-on and practical, really helps solidify the concepts for building real-world APIs."

"I appreciated the focus on building a complete social media API example throughout the course."

"Building the API step-by-step with practical examples was very helpful for understanding how to apply FastAPI."

Fast pace may require solid Python and async background.

"Definitely for intermediate Python developers, the pace is quick, especially if you're new to async."

"Requires a good grasp of Python fundamentals and async programming beforehand."

"While it says intermediate, some sections move very fast and assume prior knowledge of certain libraries or concepts."

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 Mastering REST APIs with FastAPI with these activities:

Review REST API Principles

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Reinforce your understanding of REST API principles before diving into FastAPI. This will help you grasp the underlying concepts and design patterns used throughout the course.

Browse courses on REST APIs

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Read articles on RESTful architecture.
Watch introductory videos on APIs.
Review HTTP methods and status codes.

Read 'RESTful Web APIs' by Leonard Richardson and Mike Amundsen

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Deepen your understanding of RESTful API design principles. This book provides a solid foundation for building well-structured and maintainable APIs with FastAPI.

View RESTful Web APIs on Amazon

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Read the chapters on resource modeling.
Study the sections on hypermedia and HATEOAS.
Take notes on key design considerations.

Build a Simple CRUD API with FastAPI

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Practice building a basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) API to solidify your understanding of FastAPI fundamentals. This hands-on project will reinforce the concepts covered in the early modules.

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Set up a new FastAPI project.
Define data models using Pydantic.
Implement CRUD operations for a resource.
Test the API endpoints with a tool like Postman.

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Practice Writing Unit Tests with pytest

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Sharpen your testing skills by writing unit tests for different components of your FastAPI application. This will help you ensure the reliability and maintainability of your code.

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Write tests for API endpoints.
Write tests for database interactions.
Run tests and analyze the results.

Document Your API with Swagger UI

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Learn how to use Swagger UI to automatically generate interactive API documentation for your FastAPI application. This will make it easier for others to understand and use your API.

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Explore the Swagger UI interface.
Add docstrings to your API endpoints.
Customize the Swagger UI appearance.

Read 'Test-Driven Development with Python' by Harry Percival

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Enhance your testing skills with TDD principles. This book will guide you through writing effective tests for your FastAPI applications.

View Test-Driven Development with Python: Obey the... on Amazon

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Read the chapters on TDD fundamentals.
Practice writing tests before code.
Apply TDD principles to your FastAPI projects.

Contribute to a FastAPI Open Source Project

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Gain real-world experience by contributing to an open-source FastAPI project. This will expose you to different coding styles, project structures, and collaborative development workflows.

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Find a FastAPI project on GitHub.
Identify an issue to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Respond to feedback from the maintainers.

Deploy a FastAPI Application to a Cloud Platform

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Practice deploying your FastAPI application to a cloud platform like Render, AWS, or Google Cloud. This will give you hands-on experience with the deployment process and help you understand the challenges involved in running APIs in production.

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Choose a cloud platform for deployment.
Configure your application for deployment.
Deploy your application to the cloud platform.
Monitor your application's performance.

Career center

Learners who complete Mastering REST APIs with FastAPI will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

API Developer

An API Developer specializes in creating and maintaining Application Programming Interfaces that allow different software systems to communicate. This course is meticulously designed to equip learners with the skills needed to excel in this area. It offers a deep dive into building REST APIs with FastAPI, covering everything from the basics to advanced features like asynchronous databases, user authentication, and email confirmations. The practical examples of building a social media API, testing with pytest, and handling many-to-many relationships provide hands-on experience that is invaluable. Moreover, learning to deploy APIs using platforms like Render and monitor them with tools like Sentry addresses the full lifecycle of API development, making one a proficient API Developer.

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Backend Developer

A Backend Developer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the server-side logic and databases that power applications. This course helps build a foundation in constructing robust REST APIs using FastAPI, a critical skill for any backend developer. With the course's detailed guidance on integrating asynchronous databases, implementing user authentication, and managing application logging, a backend developer will be well-equipped to create secure and scalable API solutions. Furthermore, the exploration of advanced features like file uploads and background tasks directly translates to enhanced functionality in real-world applications. The lessons on deployment platforms like Render, error monitoring with Sentry, and CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions, additionally, refine the skills necessary for a modern backend developer.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course may be useful because it provides targeted knowledge in building REST APIs, a crucial component of modern software development. The hands-on experience gained from creating a social media API, integrating asynchronous databases, and implementing user authentication equips software engineers with practical skills. Furthermore, the course covers essential aspects like testing with pytest, logging, and deployment strategies, providing a well-rounded skill set. The ability to manage application logging and integrate with tools like Sentry for error monitoring are valuable for maintaining robust and reliable applications, thereby enhancing one's capabilities as a Software Engineer.

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Full-Stack Developer

A Full Stack Developer works on both the front-end and back-end of web applications. This course may be useful in expanding back-end skills, particularly in API development. The course's comprehensive coverage of building REST APIs with FastAPI, integrating asynchronous databases, and implementing user authentication directly supports full-stack development. Furthermore, understanding deployment platforms like Render and CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions provides a holistic view of the development process. A Full Stack Developer can leverage the skills learned in this course to create more efficient and scalable applications. The knowledge of handling file uploads and generating images using background tasks further enhances their ability to deliver complete solutions.

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Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer is responsible for managing and maintaining cloud infrastructure. This course may be useful in equipping one with the skills to develop and deploy APIs in the cloud. The course covers essential cloud-related topics such as deploying FastAPI applications on platforms like Render. Furthermore, the integration of tools like Sentry for error monitoring and GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipelines is directly relevant to cloud environments. Learning how to work with asynchronous databases and manage application logging provides the foundation for building scalable and reliable cloud-based APIs. A Cloud Engineer can leverage these capabilities to optimize cloud resources and improve application performance.

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DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer automates and streamlines the software development lifecycle. This course helps build skills in deploying and managing APIs, a crucial aspect of DevOps. The course covers essential DevOps practices such as setting up CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions and integrating error monitoring tools like Sentry. These skills enable DevOps engineers to automate API deployments and quickly identify and resolve issues. Furthermore, learning how to deploy FastAPI applications on platforms like Render provides practical experience in cloud deployment. The knowledge of logging and application management further enhances their ability to maintain stable and reliable systems as a DevOps Engineer.

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API Security Specialist

An API Security Specialist focuses on securing APIs and protecting them from threats. This course helps improve an understanding of API security best practices, particularly in the context of FastAPI. The course covers essential security topics such as user authentication with JWTs, email confirmations, and handling user relationships. Furthermore, implementing security measures like password hashing and token generation is critical for protecting sensitive data. The knowledge of logging and error monitoring, in addition, allows API security specialists to identify and respond to security incidents effectively. The specialist can leverage these skills to build more secure and resilient APIs.

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Application Architect

An Application Architect designs the structure and behavior of software applications. This course helps improve an understanding of API design principles and best practices using FastAPI. This knowledge is essential for creating scalable and maintainable application architectures. The course's focus on building REST APIs, integrating asynchronous databases, and implementing user authentication provides a solid foundation for designing robust applications. Furthermore, the exploration of advanced features like file uploads, background tasks, and deployment strategies equips an application architect with the tools to make informed decisions about technology choices and architectural patterns. Consideration of many-to-many relationships prepares this role to design complex systems.

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Technical Lead

A Technical Lead manages and guides a team of developers, often with a focus on API development. This course guides improved understanding of API architecture and best practices. The course covers essential aspects of API development, such as building REST APIs with FastAPI, integrating asynchronous databases, and implementing user authentication. Furthermore, the exploration of advanced features like file uploads and background tasks is critical for making informed decisions about technology choices. The lead can leverage this knowledge to guide their team effectively and ensure the delivery of high-quality APIs. The course's coverage of deployment strategies and CI/CD pipelines additionally helps technical leads to improve team efficiency and collaboration.

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Solution Architect

A Solution Architect designs and implements technology solutions to meet business needs. This course is helpful in understanding how to build and integrate APIs into broader solutions. The course covers essential aspects of API development, such as building REST APIs with FastAPI, integrating asynchronous databases, and implementing user authentication. Furthermore, the exploration of advanced features like file uploads and background tasks allows solution architects to make informed decisions about technology choices. The knowledge of deployment strategies and CI/CD pipelines is also valuable for designing scalable and reliable solutions. The architect can leverage these skills to create more effective and efficient technology solutions.

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Data Engineer

A Data Engineer builds and maintains the infrastructure for data storage and processing. This course may be useful because it provides insights into building APIs for data access and management. The course's coverage of asynchronous databases and logging mechanisms is directly relevant to data engineering tasks. Understanding how to create efficient and scalable APIs using FastAPI allows data engineers to expose data to other systems and applications. Furthermore, the knowledge of deployment strategies and CI/CD pipelines can improve the reliability and efficiency of data pipelines. A Data Engineer can leverage the skills learned in this course to build robust data access layers.

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Integration Engineer

An Integration Engineer specializes in connecting different software systems and ensuring they work together seamlessly. This course may be useful in gaining practical experience in building and integrating APIs using FastAPI, a crucial skill for integration engineers. The course covers essential integration topics such as building REST APIs, implementing user authentication, and handling many-to-many relationships. Furthermore, the knowledge of asynchronous databases and deployment strategies allows integration engineers to build scalable and reliable integrations. The engineer can leverage these skills to create more efficient and robust integrations, enhancing the overall performance of interconnected systems.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer tests and validates software to ensure it meets quality standards. This course may be useful because it provides insights into testing APIs using pytest, a critical skill for QA engineers. The course covers the basics of pytest and demonstrates how to write and implement tests for FastAPI applications. Furthermore, the knowledge of logging and error monitoring allows QA engineers to identify and report issues effectively. The engineer can leverage these skills to improve the quality and reliability of APIs. The ability to write tests for file uploads ensures a more robust product.

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IT Consultant

An IT Consultant advises organizations on how to use technology to meet their business goals. This course may be useful because it provides knowledge of modern API development practices using FastAPI. The course covers essential topics such as building REST APIs, integrating asynchronous databases, and implementing user authentication. Furthermore, the exploration of advanced features and deployment strategies allows IT consultants to make informed recommendations to their clients. The consultant can leverage these skills to help organizations improve their technology infrastructure and processes, particularly in the area of API development.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates documentation for software and hardware products. This course may be useful because it provides in-depth knowledge of API development using FastAPI, enabling technical writers to create accurate and comprehensive documentation. The course covers essential aspects of API development, such as building REST APIs, integrating asynchronous databases, and implementing user authentication. Furthermore, the exploration of advanced features and deployment strategies is crucial for writing thorough documentation. The writer can leverage this knowledge to create clear and helpful documentation for developers and users.

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Mastering REST APIs with FastAPI

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Mastering rest apis with fastapi

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