Getting Started with Express.js: What to Expect

Every modern web application needs a solid backend to handle requests, serve dynamic content, and connect to databases efficiently. That’s where Express.js comes in. Built on Node.js, Express is a fast, lightweight framework that simplifies back-end development by providing robust features for handling HTTP requests, defining routes, and integrating middleware, without enforcing a rigid structure.

Express provides the core tools needed to build scalable web applications and APIs while allowing us to structure our applications in a way that best suits our needs. Its minimal design and rich ecosystem make it a top choice for developers working on everything from small projects to large-scale applications.

Let’s dive in and explore why Express.js is one of the most widely used frameworks for back-end development!

Prerequisites

Before you start learning about Express.js, you should be comfortable with:

• JavaScript fundamentals: Understand variables, functions, objects, control flow, and event handling. Familiarity with asynchronous JavaScript (async/await, promises, and callbacks) is helpful but not required, as we cover these concepts in a later lesson.

• Some exposure to Node.js: Know how Node.js executes JavaScript on the server. Don’t worry too much, though—we’ll give a refresher to help you out.

• Basic HTML: While not required for most of the course, familiarity with HTML may be useful when working with templating engines.

Now that we know what to expect and what skills will be useful, let’s examine the course’s structure.

Course structure

This course is divided into structured chapters, each focusing on a key concept. You’ll begin by setting up an Express server and understanding how it handles HTTP requests. You’ll learn about routing, middleware, and API development as you progress. Later, you’ll explore database integration, authentication, security, and real-time communication.

We include an exercise at the end of each lesson to solidify your learning through hands-on practice. The course also features quizzes to reinforce key concepts and a mini project where you’ll build a fully functional RESTful API.

Now that we have an overview of what to expect, let’s begin our journey with Express.js!