Into Backend with Node.js

I recently started learning backend development with Node.js, following the YouTube playlist by Piyush Garg. It’s been a fun and eye-opening experience—moving from frontend comfort into the world of servers, APIs, and databases.

How I Started

The first step was the classic “Hello World” server. Running JavaScript outside the browser felt exciting—it was the beginning of understanding how the backend works.
Then I explored modules and file handling, which taught me how to organize projects and work with the file system.

Express and REST APIs

Next came Express.js, which made building servers much smoother.
I learned routing, middleware, and how to handle requests/responses properly.

After that, I built simple REST APIs—writing endpoints, connecting Postman, and testing different methods. It was my first real taste of backend power.

Adding Databases

With APIs in place, I connected Node.js to MongoDB. Learning CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) gave me a better idea of how real-world apps store and handle data.

I also touched authentication with JWTs and cookies, which made me realize how important security is in backend systems.

What’s Next

I plan to go deeper into:

• Streams and clustering (handling larger data and scaling).
• Building a complete backend project with authentication, data models, and real-time features.

Reflection

Learning Node.js has taught me that backend isn’t just about writing code—it’s about structuring systems that people rely on every day.

This journey is still ongoing, but I’m excited for what’s ahead. 🚀