Backend Web Development

Installing the runtime/framework, project scaffolding.

Create and run a 'hello server' that responds to a request.

Stand up a basic local server.

Handling incoming requests, defining basic routes.

Add two or three simple routes returning static responses.

Define and test basic routes.

Route parameters, query strings, the middleware concept.

Build a route that reads a parameter and a query string.

Build dynamic routes that read request data.

REST principles, HTTP methods, status codes.

Map out the API's planned endpoints and methods.

Describe REST conventions and design a simple API surface.

Implementing GET/POST endpoints.

Build one working GET and one working POST endpoint.

Implement basic REST endpoints.

Relational vs non-relational databases, choosing one for the project.

Install/connect the chosen database locally.

Explain database options and have one connected.

Schema design, connecting the app to the database.

Design a schema and connect the server to it.

Design a simple schema and wire it into the backend.

Create and Read operations against the database.

Implement Create/Read endpoints for the main resource.

Persist and retrieve data via the API.

Update and Delete operations.

Implement Update/Delete endpoints for the same resource.

Implement a complete CRUD API for one resource.

Authentication concepts, password hashing.

Implement a secure signup endpoint with hashed passwords.

Store user credentials securely.

Login and session/token-based authentication.

Implement login and protect a route so only logged-in users can access it.

Implement basic authenticated access control.

Input validation, structured error responses.

Add validation and consistent error handling across endpoints.

Build endpoints that fail gracefully and informatively.

CORS, testing endpoints with Postman and browser clients.

Call the API from Postman and from a simple HTML/JS page.

Verify an API works from an external client.

Wiring a basic frontend UI to the built API.

Connect a simple frontend to display and submit real data.

Connect a frontend to a working backend end-to-end.

Planning the practical backend project's scope.

Plan endpoints/schema for the capstone project.

Turn a backend brief into an implementation plan.

Implementing remaining endpoints, testing thoroughly.

Build out and test the remaining project features.

Complete the planned backend feature set.

Basic deployment/hosting steps.

Deploy the API (or prepare a deployment-ready build) and walk through the finished project.

Independently build, test, and present a backend project.