🚀 Node.js And Express.js - A Complete Guide

This repository contains my learning progress while exploring Node.js. I’m documenting commands, concepts, and server logic that I’ve worked on step-by-step.

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📦 NPM Basics

Command	Description
npm --version	Check the installed version of npm
npm init	Initialize a Node.js project (package.json)
npm init -y	Quick init with default values
npm install slugify or npm i slugify	Install a single package
npm i express jsonwebtoken	Install multiple packages
npm install --save-dev nodemon	Install as a dev dependency
npx nodemon filename.js	Run with auto-reload (without global install)
node filename.js	Run directly with Node.js
npm install -g nodemon	Install nodemon globally
nodemon filename.js	Run and watch file using global nodemon
npm run dev	Run custom script (like dev) from package.json

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🧩 Scripts in package.json

"scripts": {
  "start": "node Node.js",
  "dev": "nodemon Node.js"
}

Now you can run:

• npm run dev → for development server
• npm start → for production server

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🧠 What is npx?

npx allows running binaries from node_modules/.bin/ without installing them globally. Example: npx nodemon Node.js looks for nodemon in local dependencies and executes it.

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🔁 NVM – Node Version Manager

Use NVM to manage multiple Node.js versions:

nvm install 16
nvm use 16

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🛠 Useful npm Commands

• npm config get prefix → Shows global npm path
• npm cache clean --force → Clean npm cache
• Set global path: e.g., E:\Users\MADHAV\npm (add to environment variables)

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🌐 HTTP Methods & Status Codes

HTTP methods you’ll use in APIs:

Method	Purpose
GET	Retrieve data
POST	Send data
PUT	Full update
PATCH	Partial update
DELETE	Delete data

📚 HTTP Status Codes – MDN

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⚙️ Node.js Server Logic (Basic)

Server’s main role is to process data between frontend and database. It does not store data permanently.

Common commands:

node server.js
npm start
npm run dev

Add custom script in package.json:

"scripts": {
  "Madhav": "node nodeServer.js"
}

Run it with:

npm run Madhav

Stop the server with:

Ctrl + C

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🔄 Why Use Nodemon?

Instead of restarting the server manually after every change:

1. Install it:

   npm i nodemon

2. Use it in scripts:

   "dev": "nodemon server.js"

3. Run it:

   npm run dev

It will auto-restart your server when changes are detected.

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🌐 Explore npm Packages

You can explore useful packages at https://www.npmjs.com

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📁 Project Transfer Tip

If you share or clone the project:

• Delete node_modules/ and package-lock.json (to save space)
• Run npm install to regenerate them

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🧵 Network Tools

• netstat -ano → See all available localhost ports

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🧬 TCP vs UDP (Bonus Note)

• TCP: Reliable, connection-oriented, slower, continuous handshake.
• UDP: Fast, connection-less, used for chunks, no guarantee of delivery.

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📚 Upcoming Learning

I'm currently exploring advanced Node.js server handling like:

• User Sign In / Sign Out
• Handling POST, DELETE, GET in real APIs
• Error handling, routing, and more...

Next: I will learn Express.js and update this repo accordingly. Stay tuned!

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⭐ If this helps you or you want to support my learning, drop a star and follow my progress!