Beginning API Development with Node.js

 
Course Description

This course offers a deep but gentle dive into Node.js. First, by starting off with the basic building blocks of the modern JavaScript language, which are necessary for students to have a good grasp of Node.js, before delving into the fundamentals of Node.js.

Most courses quickly dive into Node.js forgetting that, at the end of the day, Node.js is still JavaScript. This can end up being a little uncomfortable for JavaScript newbies, since we can't build a solid house on a shaky foundation.

The course therefore begins with a quick introduction to the modern JavaScript language (ES6+). We will then look into Node's asynchronous programming model and examine Node's module system, including built-in modules and application modularization, as well as the NPM third-party module registry. We will skip a number of topics, which we will recommend for further reading, and will finish off by working on a simple web application API using the Hapi.js and Knex.js frameworks.

Overview

This is a 1-day course packaged with the perfect balance of theory and hands-on activities that will help you learn Node.js from scratch.

This course complies with instructional designing principles for all the 3 lessons. This will ensure that you repeat and reinforce your gained knowledge at every step. Each and every minute spent during this 1-day course will incrementally take you to a next level.

Designed to help instructors prepare to teach the course, Train the Trainer videos are included and can be accessed by redeeming the digital access key on the CHOICE platform.

Course Length

1 day

Scope

If you are interested in gaining a good grasp of Node.js in a systematic and hands-on way by working through a real-world project, then this course is for you.

Here are the important topics that this course will cover:

· Quickly get to grips with Node.js and its module system

· Gain an understanding of asynchronous programming in Node.js

· Develop scalable and high-performing APIs using Hapi.js and Knex.js

· Write unit tests for your API to ensure reliability and maintainability

· Complete a variety of hands-on exercises and activities to broaden your understanding of the concepts covered in this courseware

· Dive into the Capstone project by building an API for a legacy application

Target Audience

This course is targeted towards developers looking to build a career as a Node.js developer.

Technical Requirements

Hardware:

For successful completion of this course, students will require computer systems with the following:

• Processor: Pentium 4 (or equivalent)
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Hard disk: 10 GB
• Operating System: Windows (8 or higher)
• Projector
• Internet connection

Software:

• Visual Studio Code: https://code.visualstudio.com/)
• Node.js (8.9.1): https://nodejs.org/en/
• MySQL Workbench 6.3: https://www.mysql.com/products/workbench/
• MySQL: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/

Installation and Setup

Before you start with this course, we'll install Visual Studio Code, Node.js, MySQL

Workbench 6.3, and MySQL. Here, you will find the steps to install these.

Installing Visual Studio Code

1. Visit https://code.visualstudio.com/ in your browser.

2. Click on Download in the top-right corner of the home page.

3. Next, select Windows.

4. Follow the steps in the installer and that's it! Your Visual Studio Code is ready.

Installing Node.js

1. Visit https://nodejs.org/en/ in your browser.

2. Click on 9.3.0 Current to download the setup.

3. Follow the steps in the installer and that's it! Your Node.js is ready.

Installing MySQL

1. Visit https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/ in your browser.

2. Click on 5.7.21 Current to download the setup.

3. Follow the steps in the installer and that's it! Your MySQL is ready.

Installing MySQL Workbench

1. Visit https://www.mysql.com/products/workbench/ in your browser.

2. Click on the Download Now button.

3. Go to the Generally Available (GA) Releases section and click on MySQL Installer for Windows.

4. Follow the steps in the installer and that's it! Your MySQL Workbench is ready.

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Introduction to Node.js

• The Basics of Node.js
• The Module System
• Asynchronous Programming with Node.js

Lesson 2: Building the API: Part 1

• Building a Basic HTTP Server
• Setting up Hapi.js
• Understanding Requests

Lesson 3: Building the API: Part 2

• Working with the DB Using Knex.js
• Authenticating Your API with JWT
• Testing Your API with Lab