For this third quarter’s professional development, i read the Treblle post, “How to Structure an Express.js REST API with Best Practices” (https://treblle.com/blog/egergr). The article mostly just talks about on how to properly organize and build RESTful APIs using Express.js while maintaining clean, scalable, and modular code. It covers some key principles like separating app and server logic, implementing a layered architecture, structuring routes and controllers clearly, and designing the API in a way that’s easy to maintain and expand. It also makes mention on the importance of using Docker for containerization and environment consistency, which is essential for deploying APIs reliably across different systems.
I picked this specific resource because i think it ties closely with what we’ve learned in class earlier, taking into account the things like modularity, separation of concerns, and maintainable software design. It helps that we were doing class exercises when it comes to building small web services and understanding how system components interact(at least tangentially when it comes to the guestinfobackend stuff), so reading about how Express.js projects are structured in real-world settings gave a lot of context for people such as myself interested in backend or full-stack development, it’s the kind of practical foundation that helps turn classroom principles into actual coding habits.
From the article, I learned that Express.js isn’t just about setting up endpoints quickly; it’s about creating a clear, layered structure where each part of the API has its own responsibility. In one instance, it recommended dividing the project into three layers: a web layer (for routes and middleware), a service layer (for handling logic and validation), for the other a data layer (for managing database access). I’d say this structure kind of keeps your code modular and easier to debug. Another thing I think is useful was the reminder to containerize the API using docker, which helps standardize development and production environments so you can avoid those “it does/doesn’t work on my machine” problems.
I’d say the article reinforces many of the software architecture concepts we’ve referenced in class, such as modularity, abstraction, and loose coupling. A modular API design definitely makes it easier to scale, test, and maintain which at the end of the day is really the heart of software construction. It also reminded me that tools like Docker play a key role in supporting architecture by making deployment consistent and repeatable, which is just as important as how the code itself is structured.
As a whole, i’d say this article helped me better understand what good backend architecture looks like in practice. It gave me a clearer sense of how to build modular, scalable APIs using Express.js and Docker and i can somewhat see how those principles might carry over into any kind of future coursework and professional projects that i might be part of.
From the blog CS@Worcester – CSTips by Jamaal Gedeon and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.
