This course focuses on the core skills and technologies required to build robust, scalable, and secure backend systems for modern web applications. Learners will explore server-side programming, database management, API development, and application deployment. By mastering tools like Node.js, Express.js, PostgreSQL, and RESTful APIs, participants will gain the expertise to design backend systems that power dynamic and interactive web applications.

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Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Backend Development

• Overview of backend roles in web applications
• Understanding client-server architecture
• Tools and setup: Node.js, terminal, version control (Git)

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Core Backend Development

Module 2: Server-Side Programming with Node.js

• Introduction to Node.js: Event-driven architecture
• Working with the Node.js runtime and modules
• Asynchronous programming and the event loop

Module 3: Building Web Applications with Express.js

• Setting up a web server with Express.js
• Routing, middleware, and request handling
• Error handling and logging

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Database Management

Module 4: Working with Databases

• Introduction to SQL and NoSQL databases
• Using PostgreSQL for relational data management
• Querying and managing data with Prisma ORM or Sequelize
• Working with MongoDB for NoSQL data storage

Module 5: Database Design and Optimization

• Designing database schemas and relationships
• Indexing and optimizing database queries
• Database migrations and version control

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API Development

Module 6: RESTful API Development

• Principles of REST architecture
• Designing endpoints for CRUD operations
• Testing APIs with tools like Postman and Insomnia

Module 7: Advanced API Features

• Rate limiting, pagination, and sorting
• File uploads and downloads
• Error responses and custom status codes

Module 8: GraphQL Basics

• Understanding GraphQL and its advantages over REST
• Designing GraphQL schemas and resolvers
• Using Apollo Server to build GraphQL APIs

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Security and Optimization

Module 9: Authentication and Authorization

• Implementing authentication with JWT and OAuth
• Role-based access control
• Securing API endpoints

Module 10: Backend Performance and Scalability

• Caching techniques with Redis
• Load balancing and horizontal scaling
• Optimizing server response times

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Testing and Deployment

Module 11: Testing and Debugging

• Writing unit and integration tests with Mocha and Chai
• Debugging backend code with tools like VSCode and Node.js Debugger
• End-to-end API testing

Module 12: Deployment and Monitoring

• Deploying backend applications to cloud platforms (e.g., Heroku, AWS, DigitalOcean)
• Setting up CI/CD pipelines for automated deployment
• Monitoring and logging tools: PM2, New Relic, and ELK stack

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Capstone Project

• Design and build a complete backend system for a web application (e.g., e-commerce, social media, or task management platform).
• Include features like authentication, CRUD operations, and database integration.
• Deploy the application and present it with technical documentation.

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Course Activities

• Code-Along: Build mini projects like a blog API or task manager.
• Database Challenges: Design schemas and optimize queries.
• API Projects: Build and test secure RESTful APIs.
• Real-World Case Studies: Analyze backend architectures of popular applications.

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Assessment Methods

• Quizzes on backend concepts, tools, and techniques
• Practical assignments: API development, database design, and middleware implementation
• Final project: A fully functional backend application deployed to production

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Course Duration

8-10 weeks (self-paced or instructor-led).

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Certification

Learners will receive a certificate in Backend Web Development, showcasing their ability to build, deploy, and manage backend systems for web applications.