Mirza Talib Backend Web Development
Mirza Talib Backend Web Development
JavaScript Basics
JavaScript (JS) is a versatile and dynamic programming language used to add
interactivity and functionality to web pages. It works seamlessly with HTML
and CSS, forming the "front-end trifecta" of web development.
Introduction of Backend Web Development With Node.JS
Backend web development is the backbone of modern web
applications, managing server-side logic, database interactions,
and client-server communication. It ensures that data flows
seamlessly between users and the application, providing the
functionality that users rely on. Among various tools and
technologies for backend development, Node.js has emerged as a
standout solution for building efficient and scalable server-side
applications.
What is Backend Web Development
Backend development focuses on creating and managing the
infrastructure that supports the user-facing side of a web
application. It involves:
•Servers: Hosting the application and processing requests.
•Databases: Storing, retrieving, and managing data.
•APIs: Enabling communication between the server and
client-side applications.
•Business Logic: Implementing rules and operations that
govern how the application works.
Why Node.js for Backend Development
Node.js is a runtime environment built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It
allows developers to use JavaScript—a language traditionally limited to frontend
development—for backend processes, creating a unified development
environment. Some key reasons to use Node.js include:
•Asynchronous and Event-Driven Architecture: Handles multiple requests
simultaneously without blocking operations, making it ideal for real-time and
high-performance applications.
•Fast Execution: Built on the V8 engine, Node.js executes JavaScript quickly and
efficiently.
•Extensive Ecosystem: The Node Package Manager (NPM) provides access to
thousands of open-source libraries for rapid development.
•Scalability: Its non-blocking I/O model supports applications requiring high
concurrency.
Why Choose Node.js for Backend Development
Advantages:
• Single programming language for both frontend and backend
(JavaScript).
• Rich ecosystem with NPM (Node Package Manager).
• High performance for I/O-intensive tasks.
• Scalability with asynchronous operations.
Setting Up a Node.js Environment
Steps :
• Install Node . Js (via official website or package manager).
• Use npm to manage packages.
• Install an editor like visual Studio Code.
Basic Example:
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Welcome to Node.js Backend!');
});
app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Server running on port 3000'));
Database Integration
Popular Databases:
• MongoDB (NoSQL) – via Mongoose.
• MySQL/PostgreSQL(SQL) – via Sequelize/Knex.
Example Route:
app.get('/users', (req, res) => {
res.json([{ id: 1, name: 'Alice' }, { id: 2, name: 'Bob' }]);
});
Middleware in Node.js
What is Middleware
• Functions that executive during the request – response cycle
Examples:
• Body – parser for parsing request bodies.
• Custom logging middleware.
Best Practices