Backend Deployment Fundamentals:
Full Notes for Modules 1 & 2
Module 1:Understanding Backend Applications
and Deployment
1.1 What is a Backend? Introduction to Backend vs. Frontend
• Frontend vs. Backend Basics:
o The frontend is what users see and interact with, such as web pages
and mobile app screens.
o The backend is the server-side of an application, handling data
processing, storage, and business logic.
o Think of it as a restaurant: the frontend is the dining area, where guests
interact with the menu and waiters, and the backend is the kitchen,
where food is prepared based on the orders.
• Key Components of the Backend:
o Server: Hosts the application and serves responses to the client (e.g.,
web server, application server).
o Database: Stores data for long-term use, such as user profiles, product
listings, etc.
o APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Bridges between the
client and server, enabling data exchange.
• Example of Client-Server Interaction:
o When a user requests a webpage, the client (browser) sends an HTTP
request to the server.
o The server processes the request, often interacts with a database, and
sends back an HTTP response with the data.
o The client then renders this data for the user.
1.2 Web Servers vs. Application Servers
• Web Servers:
o Primarily handle HTTP requests and serve static content, like HTML,
CSS, and JavaScript files.
o Examples include Apache and Nginx.
• Application Servers:
o Handle application logic and dynamic content, often interacting with
databases.
oCan work alongside web servers to deliver a full application
experience.
o Examples include Tomcat and Node.js (if used as a standalone server).
• Example Scenario:
o For a simple website, a web server like Nginx might be sufficient to
serve static files.
o For a more complex web application, both a web server (like Nginx)
and an application server (like Node.js) may work together, with the
web server forwarding requests to the application server.
1.3 APIs, Databases, and Client-Server Communication
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces):
o APIs are how applications communicate with each other, often using
HTTP protocols.
o Types of APIs include REST (Representational State Transfer) and
GraphQL.
• Databases:
o Store data used by the backend. Common databases include SQL-based
ones like MySQL, PostgreSQL and NoSQL databases like MongoDB.
• Client-Server Communication:
o Communication typically happens via HTTP requests: GET (retrieve
data), POST (create data), PUT (update data), and DELETE (remove
data).
o Example: A frontend application might use a GET request to retrieve
user data from the backend.
1.4 Basics of Deployment and Why It’s Needed
• Deployment:
o The process of putting an application on a server where it can be
accessed by users.
o Involves transferring code from a developer’s local machine to a remote
server (often using tools like FTP, Docker, or cloud platforms).
• Why Deployment?
o Enables users to access the application over the internet or an internal
network.
o Allows for scalability, so the app can handle many users or requests
simultaneously.
1. Quiz on Backend Terminology:
o Prepare a short quiz with questions like:
▪ What is the difference between a web server and an application
server?
▪ Name two types of databases and explain one difference between
them.
2. Project: Create a small Node.js application that handles requests.
o Extend the above example to include multiple endpoints, e.g., /about,
/contact.
Module 2: Setting Up Your Local Environment and Git
2.1 Setting up a Local Environment with IDEs
• Choosing an IDE (Integrated Development Environment):
o Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Lightweight, highly customizable,
with a large extension library.
o IntelliJ IDEA: Known for Java development but supports multiple
languages.
• Installation Steps (Example for VS Code):
o Download VS Code from the official website:
https://code.visualstudio.com/.
o Install and configure basic extensions: ESLint, Prettier for code
formatting.
• Installing Node.js:
o Step-by-Step:
▪ Download Node.js from https://nodejs.org/.
▪ Follow installation instructions and verify by running node -v
and npm -v in your terminal.
2.2 Installing Git and Version Control Basics
• Installing Git:
o Download Git from https://git-scm.com/ and follow the instructions.
o Set up Git with your name and email:
bash
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git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email mugaboronald12@example.com
• Basic Git Commands:
o Initialize a Repository: git init
o Staging Changes: git add . to stage all files.
o Committing Changes: git commit -m "Commit message"
o Pushing to Remote: Connect to GitHub and push code with git push
origin main.
• Example Git Workflow:
o Step 1: Create a repository on GitHub.
o Step 2: Clone the repository on your local machine:
bash
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git clone https://github.com/username/repository-name.git
o Step 3: Make changes, stage, commit, and push.
2.3 Using GitHub for Remote Code Storage
• Creating a Repository on GitHub:
o Log in to GitHub, click on New Repository.
o Name the repository, set it as public or private, and create.
• Adding a Remote to GitHub:
o After creating a local repository, connect it to GitHub:
bash
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git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repository-name.git
git push -u origin main
• Branching Basics:
o Create a new branch:
bash
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git branch feature-branch
git checkout feature-branch
o Push branch changes with git push origin feature-branch.
2.4 Exercises for Module 2
1. Set up a GitHub Repository:
o Create a simple "Hello World" repository, commit the initial code, and
push it to GitHub.
2. Practice Branching:
o Create a branch for a new feature in your repository, make a small
change, and push it.
3. Project: Simple Node.js Server with GitHub Integration.
o Create a server with Node.js (similar to Module 1), upload it to GitHub,
and practice committing changes.
