Building REST APIs with Node.js

Node.js is a powerful runtime for building server-side applications. In this guide, we'll explore how to create RESTful APIs using Express.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine that allows you to run JavaScript on the server.

Setting Up Express

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

app.use(express.json());

app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
  res.json({ users: [] });
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server running on port 3000');
});

Key Concepts

• Middleware: Functions that process requests
• Routing: Defining endpoints for your API
• Error Handling: Managing errors gracefully
• Async/Await: Handling asynchronous operations

Best Practices

1. Use environment variables for configuration
2. Implement proper error handling
3. Use middleware for common tasks
4. Structure your routes logically
5. Add input validation

Start building robust APIs with Node.js today!