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Node.js

Node.js for Beginners — Complete Free Tutorial

Learn Node.js and Express from zero with 18 original, hands-on chapters: the REPL, modules, npm, async patterns, file system, HTTP, Express routes, middleware, REST APIs, JSON storage, CORS and deployment. Every chapter includes clean code examples, expected output and a practice checklist.

This complete Node.js course takes you from running your first script to building and deploying a REST API with Express. Each chapter is written for beginners who already know JavaScript basics: what Node adds, why it is event-driven, how modules and npm fit together, and how a request travels from the internet to your route handler and back. You will build the same to-do API piece by piece — routes, middleware, validation, persistence and error handling — and finish with the production checklist every Node project needs: environment secrets, tests, graceful shutdown and HTTPS deployment. Follow the chapters in order or jump to any topic.

Chapters

  1. 1. Introduction to Node.js Read →
  2. 2. Installing Node.js and Using the REPL Read →
  3. 3. Running JavaScript in Node Read →
  4. 4. The Node Module System Read →
  5. 5. npm and package.json Read →
  6. 6. Asynchronous JavaScript in Node Read →
  7. 7. The File System Module Read →
  8. 8. Paths, Environment and Process Read →
  9. 9. Errors and Debugging in Node Read →
  10. 10. How HTTP Works Read →
  11. 11. Building a Server with the http Module Read →
  12. 12. Getting Started with Express Read →
  13. 13. Routes and Route Parameters Read →
  14. 14. Middleware Explained Read →
  15. 15. Building a REST API Read →
  16. 16. Persisting Data with a JSON Store Read →
  17. 17. Connecting a Frontend: CORS and Fetch Read →
  18. 18. Securing, Testing and Deploying Node Apps Read →