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# Building a RESTful API with Node.js and Express Node.js and Express are powerful tools for building RESTful APIs, enabling developers to create efficient, scalable backends for web and mobile applications. ## What is a RESTful API? A RESTful API (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for designing networked applications. It uses HTTP requests to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations on resources. ### Steps to Build a RESTful API 1. **Install Node.js and Express**: Begin by installing Node.js and setting up an Express project. ```bash npm init npm install express ``` 2. **Create Basic Routes**: Define routes for handling different HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. ```javascript const express = require("express"); const app = express(); app.use(express.json()); app.get("/api/resource", (req, res) => { res.send("List of resources"); }); app.post("/api/resource", (req, res) => { res.send("Resource created"); }); app.listen(3000, () => { console.log("Server is running on port 3000"); }); ``` 3. **Connect to a Database**: Use MongoDB or any other database to store your data. You can integrate Mongoose to work with MongoDB. ```javascript const mongoose = require("mongoose"); mongoose.connect("mongodb: //localhost/mydb", { useNewUrlParser: true, useUnifiedTopology: true, }); ``` 4. **Handle Errors and Middleware**: Implement error handling and middleware to ensure your API is secure and robust. ```javascript app.use((err, req, res, next) => { console.error(err.stack); res.status(500).send("Something broke!"); }); ``` ## Conclusion Building a RESTful API with Node.js and Express is a straightforward and scalable solution for modern web development. With a solid understanding of REST principles and Node.js, you can create APIs that power your applications efficiently.