My Journey into Backend Development: Tackling My First NodeJS Challenge
Tags: node, javascript, beginners, backenddevelopment
Published: 2024-06-29 08:35:53



Hello, I'm Timilehin Abegunde, an  undergraduate studying agricultural Economics with a passion for tech. As a frontend developer, I recently decided to dive into the world of backend development. This transition has been both exciting and challenging, and I am thrilled to share one of the first major backend problems I faced and how I solved it.

## The Challenge

I recently encountered a challenge while trying to build a RESTful API with NodeJS for a simple to-do list application. The goal was to set up a server that could handle CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) for my to-do list.

As a beginner, I was unfamiliar with setting up server routes and handling requests in NodeJS. Here’s how I tackled this challenge step by step.

## Step-by-Step Solution

### 1. Understanding the Problem

I needed to create a server that could handle basic CRUD operations for my to-do list application. Initially, I was confused about how to set up server routes and manage incoming requests.

### 2. Research and Resources

To get started, I turned to the NodeJS documentation, tutorials, and online forums for guidance. The NodeJS official documentation and several beginner-friendly tutorials were incredibly helpful in understanding the basics.

### 3. Setting Up the Environment

First, I installed NodeJS and npm on my machine. Then, I created a new project directory and initialized it with `npm init`. This set up the necessary project structure and `package.json` file.

### 4. Building the Server

I decided to use Express.js, a NodeJS framework, to simplify the process. I installed Express using npm and set up a basic server with the following code:

```javascript
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const port = 3000;

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${port}`);
});
```

### 5. Creating Routes

Next, I created routes to handle creating, reading, updating, and deleting to-do items. For example, here is the code for the 'create' route:

```javascript
app.post('/todos', (req, res) => {
  // Code to add a new to-do item
});
```

### 6. Handling Data

Initially, I used an array to store to-do items. Later, I integrated MongoDB for persistent storage, which allowed me to save and retrieve to-do items from a database.

### 7. Testing and Debugging

To ensure everything was working correctly, I used Postman to send requests to my server and test the different routes. This helped me debug issues and verify that the CRUD operations were functioning as expected.

### 8. Final Thoughts

This experience taught me a lot about backend development and boosted my confidence in working with NodeJS. I learned how to set up a server, create routes, handle data, and debug issues effectively.

## Conclusion

I am excited about the journey I am about to start with the HNG Internship. This internship is an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded individuals in the tech community. To learn more about the HNG Internship, check out [HNG Internship](https://hng.tech/internship) and [HNG Premium](https://hng.tech/premium).