REST APIs with Node.js
REST APIs are the backbone of modern web applications. In this tutorial, you'll learn to build professional and scalable APIs with Node.js, Express and development best practices.
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Prerequisites
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- Node.js 18+ installed
- JavaScript/TypeScript knowledge
- Postman or similar for testing APIs
- MongoDB Atlas or PostgreSQL configured
- Git for version control
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Setting up the project
We'll set up a Node.js project with Express, TypeScript and a professional folder structure that scales well as your API grows.
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mkdir my-api && cd my-api
npm init -y
npm install express cors dotenv
npm install -D typescript @types/express @types/node ts-node nodemonPro Tip
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Creating routes and controllers
Organizing your API with separate routes and controllers keeps the code clean and easy to maintain. We'll follow the MVC pattern adapted for REST APIs.
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// routes/users.ts
import { Router } from 'express'
import { getUsers, createUser } from '../controllers/users'
const router = Router()
router.get('/', getUsers)
router.post('/', createUser)
export default routerPro Tip
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Conclusion
You've learned to build a professional REST API with Node.js and Express. These fundamentals will serve you for any backend project. Continue exploring JWT authentication, data validation and automated testing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
THE AUTHOR
Peter Lima
Peter is a full stack web developer with over 5 years of experience creating digital solutions. Specialist in React, Next.js and Node.js, passionate about sharing knowledge and helping other developers grow professionally.
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