Initializing Systems...
System 2 · Node.js
Intermediate Node.js. Build REST APIs with Express, connect to PostgreSQL, and implement JWT authentication.
Express Framework Deployment
Mount the Express engine. Understand how Express wraps Node's HTTP module and exposes a clean routing + middleware API.
Routes & Controllers
Organize Express routes into controllers. Build RESTful endpoints with proper HTTP methods and status codes.
Middleware Stack
Build custom middleware for logging, JSON parsing, CORS, and error handling. Understand the req/res/next pipeline.
Express Engine Debrief
Solidify Express fundamentals before the Database sector.
PostgreSQL — Data Core
Connect to PostgreSQL from Node.js using pg. Understand connection pools, query execution, and parameterized queries.
CRUD Operations
Build all four database operations — Create, Read, Update, Delete — with proper parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.
Database Strike — Schema Design
Design a normalized schema for a missions database. Write migrations, add indexes, and implement JOIN queries.
Database Warp Debrief
Review SQL patterns before Authentication Shields.
JWT — Identity Tokens
JSON Web Tokens are the identity cards of the galactic network. Learn JWT structure, signing, verification, and when NOT to use them.
Auth Middleware
Build authenticate middleware that verifies JWTs on every protected request and attaches the decoded user to req.user.
Protected Route Strike
Build a complete auth flow: register with bcrypt password hashing, login returning a JWT, and protect resource routes with middleware.
Authentication Shields Debrief
Review auth security patterns. Final sector: REST API Blueprint.
REST Design Principles
REST isn't magic — it's conventions. Learn resource naming, HTTP verb semantics, status codes, and HATEOAS for navigable APIs.
Input Validation & Error Handling
Validate every incoming payload with Zod or Joi, sanitize data, and build a centralized error handler that returns consistent JSON errors.
API Architecture Strike
Structure a production Express app: controllers, services, repositories, middleware layers, and proper environment configuration.
Kepler Station Debrief
Intermediate Node.js complete. Prepare for Vega Command — expert systems.
Create a complete Express REST API with user auth (JWT), PostgreSQL persistence, input validation, and proper error handling.