What You'll Learn in Node.js
Beginner
Introduction
What Node.js is and where it is used.
Installation & Setup
Install Node.js and run your first script.
Node.js Architecture
The single-threaded, non-blocking event loop.
npm Basics
Install and manage packages with npm.
package.json
The manifest file for every Node.js project.
Modules: CommonJS vs ESM
Two module systems, and how to choose.
The File System (fs) Module
Read and write files.
The path Module
Build file paths correctly, cross-platform.
The os Module
Query operating system information.
Intermediate
Events & EventEmitter
The pattern behind much of Node.js's API.
Streams
Process data piece by piece.
Buffers
Work with raw binary data.
The Event Loop in Node.js
A closer look at the phases and timing.
Timers
setTimeout, setInterval, and setImmediate.
The process Object
Environment variables, args, and shutdown.
The http Module
Make requests and build servers, framework-free.
Creating a Server
Manual routing and body parsing.
Express Introduction
Meet the most popular Node.js web framework.
Express Routing
Routes, parameters, and Router modules.
Advanced
Middleware
The core of Express's design.
Request & Response
req and res in depth.
Query Params & Body Parsing
The different ways data arrives.
Environment Variables
Config and secrets, kept out of code.
Error Handling in Express
Centralized error-handling middleware.
REST API Design
Resources, methods, and status codes.
File Uploads
Handle uploads with multer.
Connecting to MongoDB
Wire up Mongoose in an Express app.
Connecting to SQL
Connection pools and parameterized queries.
Authentication Basics
Authentication vs authorization, login flows.
JWT (JSON Web Tokens)
Stateless, signed authentication tokens.
Password Hashing
Hash passwords correctly with bcrypt.
CORS & Security Headers
Control origins and harden HTTP headers.
Testing Node.js Apps
Unit and integration tests for an API.
Best Practices
Structure, security, and reliability checklist.
Finished Learning Node.js?
Test your knowledge with MCQs, output-based questions, and interview questions.