While Node.JS is an easy-to-learn programming language, having the right skill set can make the difference between someone who builds a handful of websites and the one who builds enterprise-grade web applications that handle millions of users and become part of anyone’s daily routine. Of course, you can imply best node js development practices for a successful project but for that too along with making progress in your career, it is equally important for you to master the right skills for the job.
This article will cover the skills needed to develop to be a successful Node developer.
Database Management
A database is a collection of information, data, and records. It is managed by a database management system (DBMS). A DBMS provides the structure, storage, and security of databases. There are many types of DBMSs, such as relational DBMS, object-relational database management systems (ORDBMS), hierarchical databases, network databases, and distributed databases.
One of the best things about Node.js is that it has a built-in module for managing databases. This means you can use an existing database system to store data or create your own using the MongoDB module.
Web application frameworks
The Node.js platform has a lot of benefits, but it also has its drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks is that you have to write all your code in JavaScript. If you want to build a server-side application, then you need a way to manage and organize your codebase.
There are many different options for web application frameworks in the Node ecosystem, which will make it easier for you to build scalable applications with less code and time investment.
Express is the most popular framework for building web applications in Node.js. It’s built on top of Connect middleware, which makes it easy to use when creating new applications or when adding functionality to existing ones.
Koa is an alternative web application framework that was created by Walmart Labs in 2014 as an attempt to improve upon Express’ shortcomings in performance and coding simplicity (specifically around error handling). The Koa community has grown rapidly since its creation and now boasts over 1 million downloads per month on npm alone!
Security
Securing your web applications is an essential skill. One of the most important things you can do is learn about the OWASP Top 10, a list of the most common security vulnerabilities for web applications.
It’s a good idea to keep up-to-date on new attacks, particularly those that affect your framework or language. For example, if you’re using Express or Koa, you may want to keep an eye on the vulnerabilities disclosed by the Node Security Project.
Learn how to use HTTP headers like HSTS and CSP to protect against attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS). You should also learn how to use validation libraries like joi and express-validator to ensure that all data coming into your app has been properly validated before being used in any way.
Front end development
The front end is the user experience, and any web developer must learn how to build a good front end. The front end includes things like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and it is the basic structure of the web page. It defines the document structure and content, as well as how text should be displayed on a web page.
CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets, and it controls how your HTML elements look on screen. It allows you to define styles that can be applied to multiple elements at once (for example, all headings should have a certain font size).
JavaScript is a programming language used for interactive features on a web page (such as menus or slide shows). It can also be used to add behavior or interactivity to an element on your page (such as responding when someone clicks on an element). Front-end developers use JavaScript regularly in their daily work because it allows them to create interactive web pages that are more engaging for users than static ones
Package management
Package management is an essential skill for a Node.js developer. With package management, you can install and update packages with ease.
The most popular package manager for Node.js is npm, which stands for Node Package Manager. It’s a command-line tool that allows you to install, uninstall and manage dependencies in your projects.
Here are some of the things that you can do with npm:
Install packages from the npm registry (formerly known as Node Packaged Modules or NPM). This is the primary use case for using npm, as it’s the official way to find and use new libraries and frameworks in your project.
Manage your application’s dependencies by updating them when necessary or upgrading to a new version when available. You can also save local copies of any dependencies that aren’t installed globally on your machine so that they don’t take up unnecessary space on your hard drive or cloud storage services like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage.
Cloud platforms
If you are a Node.JS developer, then you should know that it is possible to develop applications on cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
The cloud-based application development is becoming increasingly popular among developers. It offers a lot of benefits compared to traditional application development. These include faster deployment, lower costs, and scalability.
So if you want to learn Node.JS, then you should also learn cloud platforms for developing your applications.
Source control
Another important thing to learn is source control. Git is the most popular version control system out there, and if you’re going to be working in Node.js, it’s a good idea to learn how to use it.
GitHub has an excellent tutorial for beginners, which will get you up and running in no time. If you need more advanced help, check out Atlassian’s Git documentation page or GitHub’s documentation page.
Source control is a must-have for any professional developer. Whether you’re working on a team or by yourself, keeping track of your code base and being able to access it at any time is critical.
Understanding of API Communications
When you are building an application, you will need to communicate with other applications. Often this communication is done over the Internet or a local network.
API (Application Programming Interface) is used for communication between two applications. Node.js has a very powerful module system that makes it easy to create your APIs and use them in your Node.js applications.
Understanding API Communications is important because it helps you to understand how to build your APIs and also consume other people’s APIs.
Conclusion
The above list covers the basics of what you need to know as a Node developer. Learning Node.JS is like learning any other skill. It takes time and dedication but the rewards are well worth it. Being able to build a solid foundation gives you an advantage over other developers in your field.
