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Hands-On Introduction to Backend HTTP API with Express.js
Rating: 4.8 out of 5(28 ratings)
3,200 students

Hands-On Introduction to Backend HTTP API with Express.js

A beginner-friendly, project-based introduction to backend development using Express.js and Node.js
Created byLukasz Kallas
Last updated 5/2026
English

What you'll learn

  • Set up and configure an Express.js project from scratch
  • Build routes using GET, POST, PATCH, and DELETE methods
  • Send data using res.send(), res.json(), and control HTTP status codes
  • Handle errors using custom middleware
  • Serve static files with Express
  • Install and use third-party npm packages (like a rate limiter)

Course content

4 sections • 14 lectures • 1h 59m total length

  • Welcome!2:28
  • Join Our Community0:04
  • What is backend API & why Express.js3:18
  • Setting up our Environment9:55

    Install node.js and set up Visual Studio Code, then create a new express project, run npm init -y, npm install express, and configure package.json and .gitignore.

Requirements

  • Basic JavaScript knowledge
  • Node.js installed (we’ll cover how to set it up)
  • Any code editor like VS Code (we'll cover how to set it up)

Description

Welcome to Hands-On Introduction to Backend API with Express.js. I’m Lucas, a tech lead working in an international team, and I’ve designed this course to make backend development simple and approachable — especially if you're just getting started in tech or web development.

In this course, we’ll go step by step through building a real Express.js application from scratch. You’ll learn the basics of Node.js and Express, explore concepts like routes, middleware, HTTP methods, JSON responses, status codes, and error handling — all while writing real code and seeing results immediately.

We’ll also dive into organizing your project in a nice and clean way which would be easier to maintain and build on in the future. We will also look on adding some useful npm packages like rate limiter or UUID. You’ll learn how to serve static files, respond with data in different formats, and handle centralized error logic like professionals do in real projects.

This course is hands-on, beginner-friendly, and straight to the point. We’ll keep it practical, within the ~2-hour range, so you can finish it in a weekend and walk away with a functional backend API you fully understand.

By the end, you’ll have a solid foundation in how backend APIs work — so you can confidently expand your skills from there and start the journey to build full-stack applications, connect to real databases, implement authentication, or prepare for a junior backend developer role.

Let’s get started and I’ll see you in the first video!

Who this course is for:

  • Beginners interested in backend or full-stack development
  • Frontend developers looking to learn how APIs work
  • Anyone who wants a fast, practical intro to Express.js and Node.js
  • Students and self-learners exploring modern web development

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