Build Your First REST API with Node.js and Express 🚀

[nunyvega]

Objective

Max, it's time to put your newly MySQL skills into practice and venture into backend development! You will build a REST API using Node.js and Express, and later integrate it with a frontend interface. This project will be broken down into clear steps to help you grasp each concept thoroughly.

Task Breakdown

Step 1: Complete the Node.js and Express Tutorial 📚

• Watch the tutorial "Build a REST API with Node JS and Express | CRUD API Tutorial" on YouTube.
• In this 1-hour video, you'll learn how to create a simple API and test it using Postman.
• Initially, you'll mock a database using a JSON file.
• [x] Mark this task item when completed

Step 2: Document and Comment Your Code 📝

• Once you have the server working, go through your code and add comments to each part of your code.
• Each comment should clearly explain what a particular piece of code does.
• This will help reinforce your understanding and serve as documentation.
• [x] Mark this task item when completed

Step 3: Build a Frontend Interface 🔗

• Create a frontend where you can interact with your API.
• Use Bootstrap to style your frontend for a clean and user-friendly interface.
• Implement functionalities to display, add, update, and delete data through the API (CRUD).
• [x] Mark this task item when completed

Step 4: Transition to a Real Database with SQLite 🗃️

• Set up a SQLite database.
• Modify your API to interact with the SQLite database instead of the JSON file.
• Ensure all CRUD functionalities are working with the new database.
• [x] Mark this task item when completed

Notes 📝

• Remember to take your time with the tutorial and understand each concept.
• Testing your API with Postman is crucial to ensure it's working correctly.
• Frequent commits with clear messages are important, especially when transitioning to a real database.
• Feel free to ask questions or seek help whenever you're unsure.

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Max, this project is a big step into full-stack development, and I'm confident you'll handle it brilliantly. Looking forward to seeing your REST API in action and how you integrate it with a frontend interface! Happy coding! 🌟💻

[ByteBiteChef]

Hello! Thanks for the new project, I'm going to start right away. Cheers!

[nunyvega]

how is it going @ByteBiteChef ?

[ByteBiteChef]

Hi, I finished step 2 and now, I'm working on the front end of the project using ChatGPT to clear some doubts. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks!

[ByteBiteChef]

Hi, I completed step 3. I had some challenges creating the up-to-date function and went through debugging to make it work. I added a simple style with Bootstrap and I would like to improve it once that all my application is done.

Thanks!

[ByteBiteChef]

Hello, I finished the last task on the list. I'm very happy with the results.

Thaks!

[nunyvega]

@ByteBiteChef whenever you have some minutes, can you please share shortly:

1. the tricky parts of this project for you, and how you got to complete those parts 2 add a link/screenshots to the final result
2. what would be your next steps if you had more time to complete this
3. what would you do differently if you start again

[ByteBiteChef]

The most difficult part of the project was to create all the controllers for the CRUD operations, everything was new to me. After that, I had a few challenges too, like creating an "async function" which was a concept that I knew already, but was still a bit complicated. Here is how my app looks.

And, here is a part of the code:

The tutorial HOW TO BUILD A REST API helped me a lot to achieve my goals in this project.

To reinforce my understanding of fetch functions I use those videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccX3ApO4qz8&t=1675s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiRKUTDYlG8&t=928s&ab_channel=DearProgrammer

Using GPT was very helpful too.

In case I have more time to dedicate to this project I would like to work on the styling of the application but also, I would try to do a cleaner code. Besides that, I am happy with the results as I said.

If I had to start again I would spend more time on the basic concept of the project, like trying to understand as much as possible about what the CRUD is and how it works. Having a better overview of this, the project would it be much fluid.