Backend Development with Node.js

Prerequisite

Muzammil Bilwani

Course Description

Dive into server-side development with Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. Learn how to build secure, scalable, and efficient backend systems.

What you will learn

• - Set up servers with Node.js and Express
• - Design APIs and connect to MongoDB
• - Perform CRUD operations and handle authentication
• - Create a full-stack web application backend

Course Outline

• Week 1

  • Course introduction syllabus overview and learning objectives
  • Introduction to backend development and its role in web applications
  • Setting up the development environment: node.js installation and basics
  • Building a simple Node.js server: handling request and responses.

• Week 2

  • Introduction to RESTful APIs and HTTP methods
  • Express.js framework; routing, middleware and handling requests
  • Working with JSON data; parsing and sending JSON responses
  • Assignment 1: Creating a basic Express.js API.

• Week 3

  • Introduction to MongoDB; NoSQL databases and documents-based storage
  • Setting up MongoDB; installation and basic configuration
  • CRUD operations in MongoDB: creating, reading, updating, and deleting documents

• Week 4

  • Data modelling and schema design in MongoDB
  • Advanced querying and filtering data in MongoDB
  • Introduction to Mongoose; an ODM for MongoDB
  • Assignment 2; Building a RESTful API with MongoDB integration.

• Week 5

  • Express middleware: creating custom middleware functions
  • Handling authentication and authorization in Express
  • Error handling and middleware chaining

• Week 6

  • File uploads and handling in an express application
  • Pagination and sorting data in APIs
  • Quiz 1: Assessing knowledge of Express and MongoDB concepts.

• Week 7

  • Introduction to authentication: session, cookies, JWT
  • Implementing user registration and login functionality
  • Password hashing and security best practices

• Week 8

  • Role-based access control: managing user permissions
  • API security: input validation, data sanitization, and preventing common vulnerabilities
  • Assignment 3: Enhancing the API with authentication and security features.

• Week 9

  • Indexing and query optimization in MongoDB
  • Aggregation pipeline: advanced querying and data transformation
  • Introduction to caching and improving API performance

• Week 10

  • Advanced querying techniques: text search, geospatial queries
  • Data denormalization and embedding in MongoDB
  • Quiz 2: Comprehensive assessment of backend development concepts.

• Week 11

  • Students work on a project that incorporates Nodes.js, Express, and MongoDB
  • Project topic could involve building a full-fledged API or a backend service for a web application
  • Weekly check-ins to monitor progress and provide guidance

• Week 12

  • Finalizing the project and addressing any remaining issues
  • Projects presentation: students showcase their projects and explain their design choices
  • Deployment strategies for node.js and MongoDB applications
  • Assignment 4: Reflective essay on the learning journey.

Grading Criteria

Particulars	Marks (%)
Quizzes	20
Class Participation/ Attendance	15
Projects	25
Final Projects	40
Total	100