This repository provides a comprehensive template for backend projects, designed to streamline the setup process and ensure best practices are followed. It includes essential configurations, examples, and guidelines to help you set up your backend project efficiently.
This template is ideal for intermediate students who have a basic understanding of backend development and want to enhance their skills by working on more structured projects. It is also suitable for beginners who are eager to learn and need a solid foundation to start with.
For beginners, we recommend starting with our Beginner's Backend Template to get acquainted with the basics before diving into this template.
| Section | Link |
|---|---|
| Overview | overview |
| Repo Structure | Repo Structure |
| Features | Features |
| Usage | Usage |
| Creating a Good README | Creating a Good README |
| Contribution | Contribution |
| License | License |
| Getting Started | Getting Started |
This repository provides a comprehensive template for backend projects, designed to streamline the setup process and ensure best practices are followed. It includes configurations for Node.js with Express.js, database integration using Sequelize ORM, and essential middleware for authentication and validation. The template is CI/CD ready, making it easy to deploy and maintain.
For more detailed information on each folder and file, please refer to the corresponding README pages linked below:
- Config: Configuration files for the backend application, including database settings and environment variables.
- Controllers: Business logic functions that handle incoming requests and send responses to the client.
- Keys: Public and private key pairs used for certificate QR code signing and verification.
- Middleware: Middleware functions that handle specific tasks, such as authentication and validation, between the client request and the server response.
- Migrations: Database migration files used to manage changes to the database schema.
- Models: Database ORM models that define the structure and relationships of the database tables.
- Routes: Route definitions that determine the control flow of the API, specifying how incoming requests are handled and responded to.
- Seeders: Seeders for initial data feed, including dummy data and testing data, for Sequelize's database models.
- Utils: General, reusable functionalities unrelated to API, such as file archiving, date formatting, form data manipulation, JSON transformation, logging, mailing, QR code generation, encryption, and token management.
- Validators: Middleware functions for request object validation.
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Pre-configured for Node.js with Express.js: This template comes with a pre-configured setup for Node.js using Express.js, which streamlines the process of building robust and scalable backend applications. It includes essential middleware and configurations to get you started quickly.
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Database Integration using Sequelize ORM: Simplifies database interactions by integrating Sequelize ORM, which supports multiple SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and MSSQL. This allows for easy database management and operations through a consistent API.
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Basic Authentication Setup: Includes middleware for user authentication and authorization, providing a secure foundation for managing user sessions and permissions. This setup supports JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for stateless authentication.
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Comprehensive Folder Structure: The project is organized into well-defined folders for controllers, models, routes, and more. This structure ensures a clean and maintainable codebase, making it easier to navigate and manage the project as it grows.
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Middleware for Validation: Pre-built middleware for request validation using popular libraries like Joi. This ensures that incoming requests are validated against defined schemas, reducing the risk of invalid data entering your application.
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Environment Configuration: Easy management of environment variables for different stages of development (development, testing, production). This is achieved through the use of a
.envfile, which allows you to configure settings specific to each environment. -
Error Handling: Centralized error handling to manage and log errors effectively. This includes custom error classes and middleware to catch and handle errors gracefully, ensuring that your application remains stable and user-friendly.
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Security Best Practices: Includes security middleware to protect against common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), and CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery). This helps to ensure that your application is secure by default.
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Scalable Architecture: Designed to scale with your application's growth, supporting modular development. This means you can easily add new features and components without disrupting the existing codebase.
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Detailed Documentation: Each folder and file is documented with its purpose and usage, making it easier for new contributors to get started. This includes README files for each major directory, providing clear instructions and examples.
For detailed instructions on how to use this template, including examples, please refer to the Usage Guide. This guide covers everything you need to know to get started with the template and make the most out of its features.
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Clone the Repository: Begin by cloning the repository to your local machine using the command:
git clone <repository-url>
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Install Dependencies: Navigate to the project directory and install the necessary dependencies:
npm install- Set Up Environment Variables: Create a
.envfile in the root directory and configure your environment variables as needed.
- Start the Development Server: Use the following command to start the development server:
npm run devThis will launch the application locally, allowing you to see your changes in real-time.
- Build for Production: When you’re ready to deploy, build the application for production using:
npm run buildA well-crafted README is essential for any project. It serves as the first point of contact for users and contributors, providing them with a clear understanding of the project’s purpose, setup instructions, and contribution guidelines.For suggestions on how to create a good README, please refer to the Good README Guide.
Contributions to enhance the structure or add new features to this boilerplate are welcome. Here are some ways you can contribute:
- Reporting Bugs: If you find a bug, please report it by opening an issue.
- Feature Requests: If you have an idea for a new feature, feel free to suggest it.
- Pull Requests: If you want to contribute code, fork the repository and create a pull request with your changes.
Please check out our Contributing Guide for more details.
This project is licensed under the MIT License. This means you are free to use, modify, and distribute the software, provided that you include the original copyright and license notice in any copies of the software. For more details, see the LICENSE file.
Follow these steps to start using this template:
- Clone the repository to your local machine.
- Install the required dependencies using
npm installoryarn install. - Set the configuration the database settings and environment variables in the
configfolder. - Start the application using
npm startoryarn start. - Use the API endpoints defined in the
routesfolder to interact with the application.
For more detailed setup instructions, see the Setup Guide.
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This repository is designed as a template for creating Express.js APIs. You can use this template to kickstart your own projects by clicking the Use this template button on GitHub.