NodeJS Crash Course

Get up and running with Node.js in under an hour. This beginner-friendly crash course strips away the fluff and focuses on the core concepts you need to start building server-side JavaScript applications, from installing Node to shipping your first working app.

No prior backend experience required, just basic JavaScript knowledge (variables, functions, and arrays).

What you'll learn:

• Introduction to Node.js – what it is, how it differs from browser JavaScript, and why it's used for backend development
• Installing and setting up your environment – Node, npm, and your first package.json
• The Node.js runtime and event loop – understanding non-blocking I/O and why Node handles concurrency the way it does
• Core modules – working with fs (file system), path, and http to read files and handle requests
• Building your first server – creating a simple HTTP server from scratch, no framework required
• Handling routes and requests – responding to different endpoints and HTTP methods
• Working with npm packages – installing, managing, and using third-party modules
• Environment variables and configuration – keeping your app flexible and secure
• Debugging basics – using console logging and Node's built-in debugger to troubleshoot issues
• Wrap-up project – putting it all together into a small working app

By the end of this course, you'll understand how Node.js works under the hood and be ready to explore frameworks like Express with a solid foundation.