Full Stack Dev Course

Lesson 1 • Developer Tooling and Terminal Basics

Installs and configures VS Code, Node.js, Git, and a package manager. Introduces shell commands essential for navigating projects and running scripts.

Lesson 2 • Version Control with Git

Introduces Git workflows, branching, merging, and remote repositories. Establishes collaborative coding practices used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 3 • CSS Styling and Layout Systems

Covers the box model, Flexbox, Grid, and responsive design principles. Enables students to build structured, adaptive layouts from scratch.

Lesson 4 • How the Web Works

Covers client-server architecture, HTTP request-response cycles, and DNS resolution. Grounds all subsequent front-end and back-end work in network fundamentals.

Lesson 1 • DOM Manipulation and Events

Covers querying the DOM, modifying elements, and handling user events. Connects JavaScript to HTML/CSS to produce interactive web pages.

Lesson 2 • Core JavaScript Syntax and Types

Covers variables, data types, operators, and control flow. Establishes the language fundamentals needed before tackling functions and objects.

Lesson 3 • Objects, Arrays, and Iteration

Explores object literals, prototypes, array methods, and spread syntax. Enables data manipulation patterns used in both front-end and back-end code.

Lesson 4 • Asynchronous JavaScript and APIs

Introduces the event loop, Promises, async/await, and the Fetch API. Equips students to retrieve and display data from external services.

Lesson 1 • React Fundamentals and JSX

Introduces React's component model, JSX syntax, and the virtual DOM. Establishes the mental model for building UIs as composable component trees.

Lesson 2 • Client-Side Routing with React Router

Implements multi-page navigation, dynamic routes, and protected routes. Connects component trees into a navigable single-page application.

Lesson 3 • Global State and Context API

Introduces Context API and useReducer for app-wide state sharing. Prepares students for scalable state patterns before external state libraries.

Lesson 4 • State Management with Hooks

Covers useState, useEffect, useRef, and custom hooks. Enables students to manage local component state and side effects declaratively.

Lesson 1 • Authentication and Authorization

Implements JWT-based authentication, password hashing, and role-based access. Secures API endpoints against unauthorized access.

Lesson 2 • Middleware and Request Pipeline

Explains middleware execution order, custom middleware, and third-party packages. Enables cross-cutting concerns like logging, CORS, and parsing.

Lesson 3 • Error Handling and API Design

Covers centralized error handling, HTTP status semantics, and REST conventions. Produces consistent, predictable API contracts for front-end consumers.

Lesson 4 • Node.js Runtime and Module System

Covers the Node.js event loop, CommonJS modules, and built-in modules. Establishes server-side JavaScript execution before introducing Express.

Lesson 1 • SQL Querying and Joins

Teaches SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and multi-table joins. Enables students to retrieve and manipulate relational data efficiently.

Lesson 2 • Node.js and PostgreSQL Integration

Connects Express APIs to PostgreSQL using an ORM and raw queries. Demonstrates parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.

Lesson 3 • MongoDB and Document Modeling

Introduces document-oriented storage, collections, and schema-less design. Contrasts NoSQL trade-offs with relational approaches covered earlier.

Lesson 4 • Indexing, Transactions, and Performance

Covers indexes, query plans, and ACID transactions across both database types. Equips students to optimize queries in production-scale applications.

Lesson 1 • Project Structure and Monorepo Setup

Defines folder conventions, separation of concerns, and monorepo tooling. Establishes a scalable codebase layout for multi-layer applications.

Lesson 2 • Connecting React to Express APIs

Implements Axios/Fetch calls from React to Express endpoints with proxy config. Demonstrates full data flow from database through API to UI.

Lesson 3 • File Uploads and Media Handling

Covers multipart form data, server-side file processing, and cloud storage integration. Extends the API to support user-generated media.

Lesson 4 • Authentication Flow End to End

Wires JWT login, token storage, and protected React routes to the Express auth layer. Produces a complete, secure user authentication system.

Lesson 1 • Testing Fundamentals and Strategy

Defines the testing pyramid, test types, and coverage goals. Frames the testing mindset applied throughout all subsequent sections.

Lesson 2 • API Integration Testing

Tests Express routes with Supertest and an in-memory database. Verifies API contracts without relying on a live production database.

Lesson 3 • Unit Testing JavaScript and React

Uses Jest and React Testing Library to test functions and components. Validates business logic and UI behavior in isolation.

Lesson 4 • End-to-End Testing with Playwright

Automates browser interactions to validate complete user flows. Catches regressions that unit and integration tests cannot detect.

Lesson 1 • Environment Configuration and Security

Manages secrets, HTTPS, and security headers in production environments. Protects deployed applications from common web vulnerabilities.

Lesson 2 • Cloud Hosting and Infrastructure Basics

Introduces cloud compute, managed databases, and object storage concepts. Provides the infrastructure vocabulary needed for all deployment tasks.

Lesson 3 • Containerization with Docker

Builds Docker images, writes Dockerfiles, and composes multi-service stacks. Ensures environment parity between development and production.

Lesson 4 • CI/CD Pipeline Configuration

Automates testing, building, and deployment using a CI/CD platform. Reduces manual release risk and enforces quality gates on every commit.