Node.js has become one of the most powerful and widely used platforms for building fast, scalable, and modern server-side applications. It allows developers to use JavaScript on the backend, making full-stack development easier and more efficient. This comprehensive Node.js course is designed to take learners from the basics of server-side programming to advanced backend architecture, microservices, API development, authentication, deployment, and real-world project building. The course structure is both conceptual and hands-on, ensuring students gain deep knowledge, practical experience, and confidence to build production-ready applications.

Module 1: Introduction to Node.js and Backend Development

The course begins with a strong foundation in backend development concepts. Students explore what Node.js is, why it was created, and how it uses the V8 JavaScript engine to execute code at high speed. Learners study the difference between synchronous and asynchronous programming, blocking vs non-blocking I/O, and the event-driven architecture that makes Node.js incredibly efficient. This module also covers use cases of Node.js, such as building APIs, real-time applications, microservices, streaming apps, and enterprise-level solutions. By understanding how Node.js fits into modern web development, students gain a clear roadmap for the rest of the course.

Module 2: Setting Up the Environment and Understanding Node Internals

Students set up a complete development environment using Node.js, npm, and essential tools. They also explore how Node executes JavaScript, the structure of Node modules, and how to use npm for package management. The module covers the Node REPL, command-line tools, creating basic scripts, and understanding CommonJS vs ES modules. Learners also explore Node’s global objects, the call stack, event loop, microtask queue, timers, and how Node handles asynchronous operations internally.

Module 3: Core Modules and File System Operations

In this module, students dive into the rich collection of built-in Node.js modules. They learn how to use:

fs (File System) for reading and writing files

path for managing file paths

os for system information

events for creating and listening to custom events

http for creating basic servers

crypto for hashing and encryption

Students build small utilities such as logging systems, file readers, backup scripts, and custom event-based applications. This helps them understand how Node interacts with the system at a low level.

Module 4: Asynchronous Programming in Node.js

A major strength of Node.js is its non-blocking nature. This module teaches students how to handle asynchronous programming using:

Callbacks

Promises

async/await

Event emitters

Timers

Streams

Students also explore concurrency vs parallelism, worker threads, and how Node manages long-running tasks. This module is crucial for writing efficient backend code and avoiding common pitfalls like callback hell.

Module 5: Building Web Servers with HTTP Module

Before moving to frameworks, students learn how to build web servers using Node’s native http module. They learn routing, request and response handling, JSON responses, serving HTML files, status codes, and error handling. This foundational knowledge helps students appreciate the power and simplicity of frameworks like Express.js.

Module 6: Express.js Framework (Core Module)

Express.js is the most widely used Node.js framework for building APIs and web applications. This module teaches:

Setting up Express apps

Understanding middleware

Creating routes

Handling GET, POST, PUT, DELETE requests

Error-handling middleware

Template engines (EJS, Handlebars)

Static file serving

Folder structure best practices