TL;DR: Build a REST API by initializing a Node.js project, installing Express, and defining routes that handle HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. Then connect a database, add middleware for parsing and error handling, and test your endpoints with a tool like Postman or curl.
Step 1: Set Up Your Project
Create a new folder and run npm init -y to generate a package.json file. Install Express with npm install express, then create an index.js file as your entry point.
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Step 2: Create a Basic Server
Import Express, call express(), and listen on a port such as 3000. Add a simple route like app.get('/', (req, res) => res.send('API running')) to confirm everything works. Run node index.js and visit localhost:3000 in your browser.
Step 3: Define RESTful Routes
REST APIs map HTTP methods to actions. Use GET to read data, POST to create, PUT or PATCH to update, and DELETE to remove. Structure endpoints around resources, for example /users and /users/:id. Keep route handlers small and move logic into controllers as your app grows.
Step 4: Parse Request Bodies
Add app.use(express.json()) so your API can accept JSON payloads. Without this middleware, req.body will be undefined on POST and PUT requests.
Step 5: Connect a Database
Choose MongoDB with Mongoose or PostgreSQL with Prisma for persistence. Store connection strings in environment variables using the dotenv package instead of hardcoding credentials.
Step 6: Add Error Handling and Status Codes
Return proper status codes: 200 for success, 201 for creation, 400 for bad input, 404 for missing resources, and 500 for server errors. Add a final error-handling middleware with four arguments to catch unhandled exceptions.
Tips
Validate and sanitize all incoming data, use a tool like nodemon during development for automatic restarts, and version your API (for example, /api/v1/users) so future changes don’t break existing clients. Test each endpoint thoroughly before deploying.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a database to build a REST API?
A: No. You can start with an in-memory array to prototype routes, then swap in a real database later.
Q: What is the difference between PUT and PATCH?
A: PUT replaces an entire resource, while PATCH updates only the fields you send.
Q: How do I test my API?
A: Use Postman, Insomnia, or command-line tools like curl to send requests and inspect responses.
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