9 Online Resources to Learn Express.js

JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Today, its role is not just limited to client-side development. With the help of Node.js, its scope has also extended to server-side application development. Node.js is an open-source and cross-platform runtime environment which makes the implementation of JavaScript on the server-side possible. But, there is another technology which simplifies the whole process of developing and deploying server-side applications which run within the Node.js runtime. It is Express.js, the Node.js web application server framework. Written in JavaScript, Express.js allows designing single-page, dynamic and hybrid applications for various platforms, such as Windows, Linux and OSX.

Express.js provides a host of powerful features to efficiently control the state of an application by managing and using routes, requests, views, templates, partials and more. Express.js is also a part of MEAN stack and hence is an extremely useful technology for learning.

So, here I am presenting a list of some popular online resources which can help anyone get started with Express.js right away. The list contains e-books, online courses and blog tutorials for learning Express.js. Alright, so let us check out the list of 9 popular online resources to learn Express.js.

Courses

1) Code School

Code School offers a comprehensive course on the fundamental concepts of Express.js. It teaches users how to use Express.js framework for building powerful web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) in Node.js.  The course duration spans around five hours and features five different levels explaining various useful topics, such as Express.js installation, Middleware, body parser, user parameters and refactoring routes.

2) Eduonix

Eduonix is a leading online training company offering professional training courses in various categories, such as software development, technology, programming languages and more. The company’s website features a complete web development course with Express.js called as ‘Projects in ExpressJS – Learn ExpressJS building 10 Projects’. It is an instructor-led video course featuring 73 lectures which span over 13 hours. The course covers the various Express.js concepts while allowing learners to work on various real-life projects, such as HTTP server functionality, website building, chat application building, user login system and more.

3) Lynda

Lynda is an online education company that provides a range of video tutorials in technology, business and other categories. It has a complete video course on learning Express.js framework called as ‘Building a Website with Node.js and Express.js’. The course features around 29 video tutorials covering important Express.js topics, such as Node.js and Express.js installation, routes, templates, Express Generator, data import, publishing and more.

Books

1) Express.js Guide

Express.js Guide is a book authored by Azat Mardan which provides an in-depth explanation for understanding the various core concepts of Express.js framework. The book contains over 20 practical examples and tutorials covering important topics, such as MVC structure and modules, parameters, routing, error handling, Middleware, authentication, security and more.

2) Express Web Application Development

Express Web Application Development is a book authored by Hage Yappa and published by Packt Publishing. The book covers how to develop web applications from scratch using the Express.js framework. It also helps users understand the fundamental features of Express.js framework. Some of the topics covered in the book are routes, Jade-based views, middleware, HTML forms, Stylus and more.

3) Express in Action

Express.js in Action is another useful guide on learning in-depth about developing Node applications using Express.js framework and other related tools. The book is authored by Evan M. Hahn and published by Manning Publications.  It covers the various Express.js topics, such as basics of Node.js and Express.js, middleware, routing, testing Express applications, security and deployment. The book also teaches how to use Grunt with Coffeescript, Jade and Stylus as well as data storage with MongoDB and Redis.

Blogs

1) Hack Hands

Hack Hands features an interesting text tutorial on Express.js called as ‘Delving into Node.js and Express Web Framework.’ The tutorial is part of the MEAN Stack blog tutorial which includes a series of posts on various relevant technologies, including Angular.js, Node.js, Express.js and MongoDB. The tutorial is very interactive providing conceptual knowledge of Express.js framework and Node.js.

2) Code for Geek

Code for Geek is an educational blog featuring hundreds of tutorials on various technologies related to web development and software development. It has a complete tutorial on Express.js framework which covers basic Express.js concepts like installation, routing, middleware, environment configuration and more.

3) Strong Loop

Strong Loop is a web development framework for Node.js. The website features a range of blog tutorials on learning Express.js. Some of the important topics covered on this site are application deployment, asynchronous error handling, HTTP requests, security and more.

Conclusion:
Express.js is a light-weight web application framework for developing and publishing JavaScript applications on the server-side. It is a very useful framework and mastering it will allow JavaScript developers to leverage the power of Node.js more effectively. I am sure that the tutorials mentioned on the list will prove to be useful for learning the Express.js features in detail. If you want to share any kind of feedback, then you can write your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you.