If you’re Getting Started with Node JS, welcome — you’re in the right place. This guide is written in simple English and in a friendly tone, so you can follow step by step. I’ll explain what Node JS and Express are, how to set them up, and the important ideas you need to build a small real-world backend. I’ll also drop a few tips a Node Express Backend Developer Course uses every day so you don’t feel lost after you finish reading.

What is Node JS and why learn it?

Node JS lets you run JavaScript on the server (not only in the browser). It is built so it can handle many requests at once without slowing down. This makes Node JS a good choice for web servers, APIs, and real-time apps like chat. If you are Getting Started with Node JS, think of it as using the same language (JavaScript) for both the browser and the server — that makes learning faster. 

What is Express and why use it?

Express is a small, easy web framework that sits on top of Node JS. It gives you simple tools for routing, middleware, and handling requests and responses. With Express you don’t need to write low-level HTTP code every time — you write clearer and shorter code instead. If you want to be a Node Express Backend Developer, Express is one of the first tools to learn. The classic “Hello World” Express server is extremely short and shows how simple it is to get started. 

Quick setup — what you need

Before you start, you need a few things:

• Install Node JS (choose the LTS version for stability). The Node JS download page has installers for Windows, macOS and Linux.
• A code editor. Visual Studio Code is popular and easy for beginners.
• A terminal (Command Prompt, PowerShell, or macOS/Linux terminal) to run commands.

When you are Getting Started with Node JS, the installer gives you both node (the runtime) and npm (the package manager). That pair is what you will use to add libraries and run your code.

Create your first project — step by step

These are the classic steps when you’re Getting Started with Node JS and Express:

Make a folder and open it:

mkdir my-first-app

cd my-first-app

3. Create a file app.js and paste this simple server:

const express = require(‘express’);

const app = express();

const port = 3000;

app.get(‘/’, (req, res) => {

  res.send(‘Hello World!’);

});

app.listen(port, () => {

  console.log(`App listening on port ${port}`);

});

4.  Run it with node app.js and open
   
   http://localhost:3000 in your browser — you’ll see “Hello World!”. This small example is exactly the kind of thing you’ll use while Getting Started with Node JS and Express.

Key ideas you must understand

• Routing: Routes tell your app what to do for each URL. Use app.get, app.post, app.put, app.delete. Split routes into files when your app grows.
• Middleware: Middleware are functions that run in the request–response cycle. Use them to parse JSON, log requests, check authentication, and handle errors. Express apps are built from middleware pieces.
• JSON & body parsing: APIs often send and receive JSON. Use app.use(express.json()) so req.body works for incoming JSON.
• Environment variables: Keep secrets (API keys, database passwords) outside your code. Use a .env file and a package like dotenv to load them safely in development.
• Useful dev tools: nodemon restarts your app automatically when files change — very handy while coding.

Small best practices for beginners

• Use security helpers like Helmet to add safe HTTP headers before you go to production — this reduces common web risks. Add it early so security becomes a habit.
• Validate user input and never trust client data.
• Log errors with a logger such as morgan or winston so you can find bugs faster.
• Keep each route and function simple — one job per route makes code easier to read.

Testing, debugging & deployment

• Testing: Start with small tests using Jest or Mocha and Supertest for API endpoints.
• Debugging: Use console.log for quick checks, but learn the VS Code debugger for step-by-step inspection.
• Deployment: You can deploy Node + Express apps to many places (Heroku, DigitalOcean, cloud providers). Learn one method, like deploying to Heroku, to begin.

What to learn next as a Node Express Backend Developer

After you have the basics and are Getting Started with Node JS, move on to:

• Connect a database (MongoDB or PostgreSQL) and learn queries.
• Build authentication (JWT or session-based).
• Add centralized error handling and logging.
• Learn about caching, basic performance ideas, and how to secure endpoints.

These are the kind of daily topics a Node Express Backend Developer handles when building real apps.

Final tips — make learning simple and steady

• Build a small project (a to-do API or a mini blog). Practice beats reading alone.
• Read the official Node and Express docs — they are short and helpful.
• Try one new feature each day — routing, middleware, env variables, then database.
• Read code from small open-source projects to see real patterns.

Closing — you’ve taken the first step

If you followed this guide, you are truly Getting Started with Node JS. You now have a working server, basic project structure, and clear next steps to grow into a confident Node Express Backend Developer. Keep practicing, build small projects, and read the docs — that steady practice will make you much better over time.