Part 2. Building a Node web application

Node.js underpins any MEAN application, so that’s where you’ll start. Throughout part 2, you’ll build a data-driven web application by using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. You’ll learn the individual technologies as you go, steadily building up the application to a point where you have a fully functioning Node web application.

In chapter 3, you’ll get going by creating and setting up a MEAN project, getting acquainted with Express before getting a much deeper understanding of Express by building out a static version of the application in chapter 4. Taking what you’ve learned about the application so far, in chapter 5 you’ll work with MongoDB and Mongoose to design and build the data model you’ll need.

Good application architecture should include a data API rather than tightly couple database interactions with application logic. In chapter 6, you’ll create a REST API by using Express, MongoDB, and Mongoose before tying it back into the application in chapter 7 by consuming the REST API from your static application. As you get to the end of part 2, you’ll have a data-driven website using Node.js, MongoDB, and Express, as well as a fully functioning REST API.