Thread by @VittoStack

You don't need to spend $10k on a Bootcamp to become a backend developer.

Node, Express, SQL, NoSQL, E2E, REST, JSON, Web Security.

Learn everything for Free and start Monetizing!

2021 JavaScript Backend Development Roadmap + Free Resources and Projects.

A thread ↓

Learn How the Web Works.

Before digging into back-end development, is strongly suggested to understand what's powering the web, and how data exchange works.

What is HTTP or a DNS?

A primer for newcomers to web development:
freecodecamp.org/news/how-the-w…

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Fundamentals First, always.

Before Express, you need to master the fundamentals of Computer Science.

Published by Harvard itself, this free course is the best way to set the foundations of your development career.

Fundamentals of CS:
learning.edx.org/course/course-…

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Learn HTML and CSS.

Even if you just want to develop web backends, automation, and fancy login systems: it is key to learn how HTML and CSS work.

Introduction to HTML and CSS:
khanacademy.org/computing/comp…

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Learn JavaScript.

JavaScript, with its frameworks, is one of the most used Backend languages.

Learning it is the best investment you can make as a developer.

Fundamentals of JavaScript for Free, on Edx:
edx.org/course/javascr…

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Learn Git and Avoid Disastrous Events.

Mastering version control is not optional.
- Keep track of your changes.
- Back up your code.
- Avoid unfortunate consequences.
- Collaborate seamlessly.

Learn Git in this crash course with Mosh:


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Some Basic Web Security:

The web is full of bad people willing to F**k your business up hacking your DB, and stealing your data: be sure to protect it.

Learn the fundamentals of cyber security:
futurelearn.com/courses/introd…

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Learn NodeJS and npm.

Start your backend development journey with Node.js and npm.

The Node.js runtime is the stack responsible for installing your web service's code, its dependencies, and running your service.

Learn nodeJs here: nodejs.dev/learn

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Learn Express.

Express is a minimal and flexible Node.js framework.

With a myriad of HTTP methods and middlewares, Express.JS makes creating APIs and Backends, quick and easy.

Express Crash Course:

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Learn NoSQL and SQL databases.

What's the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases?
Should I use Postgres or MongoDB?

Understanding which database to use is key for a backend developer.

Learn the differences between SQL and NoSQL:


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Which Database Systems should I learn?

There are tons of databases systems out there.
My suggestion? Pick both a NoSQL and a SQL database to learn.

I use:
- Postgre as a SQL DB
- MongoDB as a NoSQL DB

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Learn PostgreSQL Database.

PostgreSQL has a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance.

One of the most popular SQL DB of 2021: an open-source DB system, with 30 years of development.

Start learning it here: postgresqltutorial.com

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Learn MongoDB.

With over 12 years of active development, MongoDB is one of the most popular NoSQL Databases to date.

Also hosted by the most famous cloud provider.

Learn MongoDB here:
university.mongodb.com

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Learn Continuous Delivery & Dev Ops.

Amazon famously delivers new code every 11.6 seconds. Just a few years ago, this was unthinkable.

This is thanks to Continuous delivery and Integration technologies.

Learn DevOps on Coursera for Free:
coursera.org/learn/uva-dard…

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Learn by doing: create projects.

There's no better way to retain notions than doing and solving problems.
Sometimes, finding backend projects to practice sounds hard though.

Here's a list of 20+ backend projects ideas:
gist.github.com/MWins/41c6fec2…

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Start Monetizing as A Backend Developer.

At this point you should be able to set up a proper REST API and get paid for it, do not lose any time:

Your skills have value and you should be paid for them.

gumroad.com/a/669160563/Sk…

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Learn TypeScript.

Take JavaScript, add types, compile-time errors, and a much smarter IntelliSense: you'll have TypeScript.

Great error handling, bug sorting, and code assistance, something a backend developer should know in 2021:

Free: udemy.com/course/typescr…

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Pick a JavaScript Backend Framework.

Choosing a JavaScript framework will introduce lots of commodities in your workflows.

There are many popular JS backend frameworks, my favorites are:
- React/NextJS
- Vue/NuxtJS
- Gatsby

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Why a Backend framework?

Backend frameworks are libraries of modules and tools that aid to develop the structure of any site.

They implement things such as Server Side Rendering, or Static Site Generation.

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Learn what SSG, SSR, and CSR Mean.

When using a JavaScript backend framework is key to understand what those terms mean:

- SSG -> Static Site Generation
- SSR -> Server-Side Rendering
- CSR -> Client-Side Rendering

Learn more here:

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Learn Next.js and React.

React-based and Open-source, Next.js brings hybrid Static and Server-Side rendering to your backend development toolbox.

Learn React:
Learn Next: nextjs.org/learn/basics/c…

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Learn Nuxt.js

Based on Vue.js, Nuxt.js is the Next.js counterpart (you don't say?)

Modular, performant, and easy-to-use Nuxt.js implements Server Side and static rendering to your workflow

Learn VueJS:
Learn NuxtJS:

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Learn Gatsby.

Gatsby is also a React-based open-source framework for creating websites.

Specialize in Static Websites such as Blogs and homepages.
Amazingly fast, gives you 2500+ plugins to kickstart your backend.

Learn Gatsby:

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Learn GraphQL

My grandpa used to say: "REST is Great, but GraphQL is lightweight"

I'm kidding but, simply put: GraphQL shifts the data handling coming from APIs, from the client -> to the server

Used by Nasa, Facebook, Airbnb, and GitHub: ~

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Learn Web 3.0 and Become Precious.

If you want to take a step further, I suggest you exploring the potentialities of Blockchain and Web3.0 development.

Blockchain Devs are paid: $140k/year on average.

Start learning here:

https://twitter.com/oliverjumpertz/status/1396394220299169793?s=20

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Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect

No matter how good the roadmap is, to learn how to code you need to practice, and your practice by building projects

Elon Musk once said: "The best way to learn is by solving problems"

Solve problems, and you'll get paid for it!

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Summary:

To become a kungfu backend developer, learn:
- How the web works.
- Fundamentals of web dev.
- HTML and CSS.
- JavaScript.
- Security.
- Security
- NodeJS/npm.
- Express.
- Databases.
- Monetize.
- Frameworks.
- GraphQL.
- WebAssbly.
- Web3.0.

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Thank you for reading!

I'm Vitto 👋
Helping developers monetizing their skills!

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Want to know more about front-end development and become a full-stack web developer?

Here's my 2021 JavaScript Frontend thread:

https://twitter.com/VittoStack/status/1435271744881823753?s=20