Server side JavaScript with Node.js

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/server-side-javascript-with-nodejs

Introduction

### Course Review: Server Side JavaScript with Node.js on Coursera In an increasingly digital world, understanding the fundamentals of backend development is crucial for any aspiring web developer. If you've ever wondered how online banking or ticket booking systems function seamlessly, the answer often lies in robust backend technologies. One powerful tool that has gained enormous traction among developers is Node.js. If you are looking to dive into server-side JavaScript, the "Server Side JavaScript with Node.js" course on Coursera provides a comprehensive roadmap to mastering this technology. #### Course Overview The course begins by introducing the reader to the Node.js environment and equips them with the necessary knowledge to design and develop the backend or server-side of various applications. The structure is thoughtfully organized to ensure learners build a solid understanding of JavaScript in a server context. From the basics of JavaScript to advanced concepts, including asynchronous programming and error handling, this course covers an impressive range of topics essential for backend development. #### What You’ll Learn 1. **Getting Started with JavaScript in Node.js**: - This introductory module sets the stage by allowing learners to execute JavaScript programs in a Node.js environment, effectively transitioning from client-side to server-side programming. 2. **Working with JavaScript Functions, Arrays, and Objects**: - You'll explore the modularity and reusability of code through functions, equipping you to write cleaner, more efficient applications. 3. **Building and Using Modules in Node.js**: - Here, you will delve into modular programming, learning to create and utilize both built-in and user-defined modules, which are vital for organizing your code. 4. **Asynchronous Programming**: - Understanding asynchronous programming is critical for web applications, and this section teaches you to handle long-running tasks without freezing up your server. 5. **Working with File System using Node.js**: - The course introduces you to the File System Module, where you'll learn the ins and outs of file operations, essential for any backend application that needs to interact with the filesystem. 6. **Error Handling and Debugging Node Applications**: - This module emphasizes the importance of debugging and error handling, equipping you with strategies to manage and anticipate errors effectively. 7. **Unit Testing using Mocha and Chai**: - Lastly, an essential part of development is testing. This unit covers how to ensure your applications are reliable and high-performing by performing unit tests with Mocha and Chai libraries. #### Hands-On Experience What sets this course apart is its emphasis on hands-on coding exercises. Each topic includes practical tasks that challenge you to apply what you've learned in real-world scenarios. This approach not only reinforces theoretical concepts but also builds your confidence in writing and debugging actual Node.js applications. #### Recommendations I highly recommend this course for anyone eager to enter the world of server-side development with JavaScript. Whether you're a novice programmer or someone looking to expand your skill set, this course provides a solid foundation in Node.js. The curriculum is well-structured, and the practical exercises make the learning experience both engaging and rewarding. By the end of the course, you should be well-equipped to build your own backend applications, handle file operations, perform error handling, and write unit tests—a comprehensive skill set that is invaluable in the tech industry today. ### Conclusion "Server Side JavaScript with Node.js" on Coursera is an excellent choice for anyone interested in understanding the backbone of web applications. With the blend of theoretical knowledge and practical coding experience, you’ll be ready to take on backend development challenges and shape your career in software engineering. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your programming journey!

Syllabus

Getting Started With JavaScript in Node.js​

"JavaScript, a programming language is one of the core technologies of the World Wide Web. Over the years, its use has expanded beyond its web browser roots. JavaScript engines, that were originally used only in web browsers, are now considered the core components of some servers in a variety of applications. The most popular runtime system for this usage is Node.js. In this learning sprint, you will execute JavaScript programs in the Node.js environment."

Functions in JavaScript provide modularity and reusability of code to the applications developed. They combine many instructions into a single line of code. In this learning sprint, you will learn to declare and use functions in a program.

"Modular programming is a software design technique that emphasizes on separating the functionality of a program into independent, interchangeable modules. Each of these modules contain everything necessary to execute only one aspect of the desired functionality. This learning sprint will enable you to work with the different types of modules provided in the Node.js environment, like the inbuilt and user-defined modules. "

Asynchronous programming is a technique that enables a program to start a potentially long-running task, and work seamlessly till it has has finished. It continues to be responsive to other events even while the task is running. Once the task is completed, the program is presented with the result. In this learning sprint, you will learn to write asynchronous programs.

"In any programming language be it Java or C, you need to deal with several file operations, based on the business needs. To perform these operations seamlessly, Node.js provides a specific inbuilt module called the File System Module to help potential developers. A Node.js File System Module handles file operations like creating, reading, deleting and updating a file. All file system operations can have synchronous and asynchronous forms depending upon their users' requirements. In this learning sprint, you will learn how to read and write on a file both synchronously and asynchronously."

Dealing with errors involves two very different processes; error handling and debugging. Error handling is a combination of coding and methodology that allows your program to anticipate its users and the errors. Errors, bugs, and debugging are therefore, a part of a programmer's life. This learning sprint, will enable you to handle error using exception handling mechanisms and debug a code using the inbuilt debugger tools of Chrome and VSCode.

Testing is essential to identify mistakes. Some mistakes might be less important, while some are expensive or could be life-threatening. It is therefore crucial, to test everything that is produced because things can go wrong; humans can make mistakes at any time. Testing is important since it discovers defects/bugs before delivery to the client. It guarantees quality of both the service and software. It makes a software more reliable and easy to use. A thoroughly tested software ensures a reliable and high-performance software operation. In this learning sprint, you will learn how to test JavaScript file using Mocha and Chai testing library.