How To Learn Nodejs Faster [5 Best Ways, Tips and Resources]

Nodejs is an open-source, JavaScript run time.

The simplest definition to understand Nodejs is, it helps us run javascript outside the browser. That’s all.

For example, if we want to run JavaScript using terminal or CLI we have to use nodejs for that.

Is it worth learning Nodejs?

After learning Node.js you will have the following advantages:

1. Using Nodejs you can automate things and avoid manual work
2. It will make you more valuable to yourself and the organization
3. Multiply your worth by 2x if you are a frontend or ReactJS developer
4. It will open a new level of opportunities for you, as you can also switch to serverless services.

Prerequisite to learn Nodejs

1. Since NodeJS is built on top of Javascript, and it's a Javascript runtime so you need to have a good understanding of vanilla JavaScript and ES6.
2. You need to have an understanding of how a terminal or CLI works, how to create or run a project, and how to access files and folders using terminal.

Concepts about HTTP requests and how NPM works can learn along the way.

How long does it take to learn Node JS if I know JavaScript?

If you know JavaScript, are good at any frontend framework, or have one year of working experience, I think it would take you one month to learn how to build basic API in Node.js with authentication and authorization.

Roadmap to learn Node.js

A step-by-step checklist you can follow while learning Node.js:

1. Create a node server
2. Create routes with express
3. Create, Read, Update/Patch, and Delete API requests with express
4. Connect with the MongoDB database
5. Test APIs with the postman
6. MVC Architecture
7. Authentication and Authorization
8. Postman Advance Concepts like creating Environments
9. Advanced APIs concept (searching, sorting, filtering API)
10. Forget Password API
11. Sending emails & uploading files
12. Deployment to server

5 Best ways to learn Node.js

It is challenging and time taking to find resources to learn anything. So, I have discussed the five best ways to learn Node.js for beginners, using free and paid resources.

1. Learn Node.js by building projects

The best way to learn any skill is by practicing it. Nothing can match practical experience, no matter how many tutorials you have watched. Therefore, the first way is to build projects using Node.js.

The question is what to develop as a newbie. Here are some beginner-friendly projects:

Project Ideas for Node.js Beginner to Advance

1. A CRUD API: Your first and foremost project should be to build a CRUD (create, read, update/patch, delete) API using NodeJS, express, and connect it with the MongoDB database, with authentication and authorization. Since this is the CRUD API you can name this project whatever you want, for example, task list, expense manager, etc.
2. Chrome Extensions: You can also build a chrome extension using Nodejs. For example, build a chrome extension to check on page SEO of web pages using puppeteer.
3. URL Shortener: We all have used URL shorteners, but have you ever considered building your own URL shortener? and what's the logic behind it? You can do so using Nodejs. Learn a quick trick in this tutorial.

4. Build Terminal Applications Using NodeJS: Terminal (CLI) applications can be built using node.js. For example, to get a system’s Wi-Fi password by writing single command, or resizing and optimizing images using the terminal. Terminal based applications are a lot faster and save lots of time.

2. Learn Node.js from Freecodecamp for free

If you are a visual learner and love to learn by reading, the Freecodecamp curriculum is remarkable. It will teach you node.js from scratch to become a competent node.js developer. After completing all lessons, you must build 5 backend projects to get a certificate.

3. Learn Node.js from YouTube for free

YouTube is a free university. There are many creators on YouTube who teaches Node.js efficiently.

These are some valuable YouTube channels:

• Codevolution has a good teaching style and teaches each concept step by step. In this playlist, you will learn the most important concept of Nodejs

• Build a rest API in Node.js

• Authentication using JSON web token

4. Learn Node.js via GitHub

We can learn more by observing how others have built APIs using nodejs and best practices they recommend, and GitHub is the best source for that.

Below I am listing 2 GitHub repositories to learn Node.js.

Nodejs Resources GitHub Repos

In these GitHub repositories, you will have almost all the resources related to node.js. Developers contribute and add everything related to node.js, including concepts, best practices, event loops, testing, debugging, etc.

5. Best Udemy Course to Learn NodeJS

YouTube is an excellent source for learning NodeJS, but the information available on YouTube is scattered and provides superficial knowledge.

If YouTube or freely accessible material is not helping you out or you want to learn some advanced features, and you are looking for some structured material then a premium course is the way to go.

I was on the same ride, so, I decided to take a premium course.

While searching for a well-structured course at Udemy, I found the Jonas Schmedtmann NodeJS course, highly rated and reviewed. Jonas Schmedtmann is an exceptional teacher at Udemy and he has 1.5 million students, with a 4.7 instructor rating. I had taken his JavaScript course before and was impressed by his teaching style.

Who should take Nodejs Udemy course

This course is for you if you are:

• A Frontend developer and want to become a full-stack developer
• Already familiar with JavaScript and want to get into backend development
• You want to build a CLI tool or chrome extensions

What did I learn in Udemy Nodejs course?

I recommend this course because I have taken it myself and found it valuable and worth the money.

This course will help you level up your NodeJS skills from basic to advanced. This course has 37.5 hours of content that includes:

• Strong base for NodeJS
• MVC architecture for scale
• Error handling with reusable function
• The most important topics are authentication, authorization, and forgotten passwords
• Advanced usage of the postman, how to organize requests, and create an environment
• Advanced mongoose
• Last but not least, the deployment

In short, this is the complete power-packed course that can take you from a frontend developer to a full-stack engineer.

What to learn after Nodejs?

Once you have learned NodeJS, you can move ahead in the following directions:

• You can go for another NodeJS framework named NestJS to enhance your tech stack
• You can also learn system design, a fascinating term for the developer
• If you are passionate about taking decisions, you can switch to product management (more decision means more valuable you are)

Sum up

Node.js is a powerful backend language that you must learn if you wish to enter into backend development. It is important to follow a complete learning path from basics to advance. Although there are many free resources like YouTube and GitHub, but following a complete course makes the learning experience better. That’s why we recommend taking Jonas's Node.js Course.

Take a step towards learning but never forget to practice it by building projects. If this article helps you in any way you can consider subscribing to my newsletter.