A practical, condensed version of <Node.js + NestJS Textbook>, revamped for the AI era!

This course helps you understand the entire backend development process by building everything step by step, from an HTTP server to AI services. You will develop the ability to read and understand AI-generated code while learning core concepts such as servers, databases, HTTP, login, and deployment, along with practical applications of Node.js, Express, and NestJS through hands-on exercises.

(5.0) 2 reviews

131 learners

Level Basic

Course period Unlimited

Node.js
Node.js
Express
Express
TypeScript
TypeScript
NestJS
NestJS
database
database
Node.js
Node.js
Express
Express
TypeScript
TypeScript
NestJS
NestJS
database
database

What you will gain after the course

  • Understanding the core concepts of servers, clients, login, HTTP, databases, and deployment

  • The ability to read server code implemented by AI and understand its flow

  • A perspective that connects scattered backend concepts into a unified service architecture

  • Understanding Node.js-Based Server Architecture and Database Integration Principles

In an era when AI implements code,

What abilities will be important?


AI writes code thousands or tens of thousands of times faster than humans. But... so với con người. Nhưng...

AI-generated code carries more risks.

Therefore, you must not rely on it 100%. Now...

1. The ability to read and understand code generated by AI
2. A precise understanding of concepts so you can give the right instructions

Two are core skills.


Can you answer the following questions on your own?

1. how servers and clients communicate
2. what role cookies and sessions play during the login process
3. how data is structured and stored in a database
4. how services are deployed


AI can explain each concept.

However, when you try to understand one concept, ten new concepts pop up!
In this course, we’ll clearly organize how each concept connects within a real-world service
and give you a proper understanding of the big picture..

From servers and clients to requests and responses

We open the basic server code and trace how the client's request reaches the server and returns as a response.

through the process of connecting login and data storage

Understand the sign-up, login, social login, cookies, sessions, and image upload code in an Express project.

From TypeScript and NestJS to AI services and deployment

Convert an existing JavaScript project to TypeScript, then deploy a NestJS social media and AI assistant app to AWS.

Why Node.js and NestJS?
Using JavaScript and TypeScript, you can build the client and server in the same language. Node.js is well-suited to handling many asynchronous requests, and its diverse AI SDKs and npm ecosystem make it ideal for quickly building AI services.

Unlike highly flexible frameworks such as Express, NestJS clearly separates the roles and flow of code using modules, controllers, providers, and guards. This makes it easy to understand the structure even as the project grows, and easier to determine where to start reading and modifying AI-generated code.


From web servers to authentication, databases, and AI agents
we will read real-world project code together using Node.js, Express, TypeScript, and NestJS
.

Rather than stopping at running AI-generated code
, you will grow into a developer who can read, assess, and modify it..


By the end of this course, you will be able to

Outcome 1: You can trace the flow of server code implemented by AI

  • You can explain the process by which a client’s request reaches the server, passes through the router, authentication, business logic, and database, and returns as a response. Even when faced with unfamiliar server code, you can determine where to start reading.

Result 2: You can explain how scattered backend concepts are connected

  • You can explain the roles of the server and client, cookies and sessions, and login and the database, as well as how they are connected within the overall flow of the service.

Result 3: You can determine what to check before modifying the code

  • When an error occurs, you can establish criteria for determining what to check first among the request, authentication status, data retrieval, environment variables, and deployment settings instead of changing the code at random.

✔️

Practical learning that teaches the concepts and connections needed to read AI-generated code

From the principles of HTTP servers
to connecting NestJS with AI services

Build your first server with Node.js, then progressively implement everything from REST APIs, status codes, the module system, and middleware to database and authentication structures.
Transition from Express to TypeScript and NestJS, and see firsthand how the code flows and how to build a scalable backend architecture.

A project where you build NodeBird SNS and an AI agent yourself

Implement sign-up and login, Kakao login, cookies and sessions, image uploads, follows, and hashtags in the NodeBird SNS.
Then connect multiple AI models and build an AI Agent service that manages chat rooms and conversation history.

Follow along through the code flow and deployment process of the hands-on project

In the course, you will work with real project code, covering everything from database integration using Drizzle ORM to configuring NestJS modules, providers, guards, pipes, and DTOs.
You will also manage versions with Git and GitHub and deploy to AWS, making your service available for others to use!

PPTs, supplementary notes, and infographics to aid understanding

Explanations can be difficult to understand when given only in words, so visual materials are helpful, right? That’s why we explain everything with over 100 images! We also provide 8 supplementary notes covering topics included in the book but not covered in the course.


📚

A hands-on journey to building everything from an HTTP server to an AI service

Section 1

Basic Concepts of Servers and Node.js

Install Node.js and build an HTTP server yourself to learn how servers work. Practice Node.js core concepts such as reading files, automatic restarts, buffers and streams, and asynchronous processing.


Section 2

REST APIs and Module Systems

Create a REST server using Node’s basic features and learn the meaning and usage of HTTP status codes. You will also understand the differences between the two module systems used in JavaScript and how to apply them.


Section 3

Using the Express Framework

Learn how to install external code using a package manager and configure a server with Express. Build a practical web server using middleware, static files, cookies and sessions, separated routers, error handling, and template engines.


Section 4

Databases and ORMs

Learn the basic principles of using databases on a server and the process of integrating data. Define schemas using an object-relational mapper and practice querying and manipulating databases.


Section 5

Hands-on Project: NodeBird SNS

Complete a social network service by implementing Git-based version control, project structure, many-to-many relationships, sign-up and login, Kakao login, and image uploads. Develop server separation, hashtags, follows, and other service features to learn the practical backend development workflow.


Section 6

Introducing TypeScript

Convert the existing Node project to TypeScript while applying static typing, type definitions, and the compilation process. Learn how to improve the server code by enhancing type safety and making it easier to maintain.


Section 7

Migrating to the NestJS framework

Build a NestJS application based on modules, guards, middleware, and providers. Practice the principles of authentication, lifecycle, interceptors, circular dependencies, exception filters, parameter decorators, rendering, pipes, data transfer objects, and dependency injection.


Section 8

Hands-On Project: AI Agent Service

Build an agent service that connects multiple AI models, and implement a chat interface and conversation room management features. Complete an AI-powered backend application by saving chat history, adding custom AI providers, and extending agent functionality.


Section 9

Preparing for Service Deployment and Operations

Prepare the environment for deploying the project and manage the source code with Git and GitHub. Complete the process of deploying the server to Amazon Web Services and deploying the AI agent service to a production environment.


You can solve the challenges faced by people like this!


📌

JavaScript developers preparing to get started with backend development

This is suitable for those who can create screens but have only a vague understanding of how requests are processed by the server and data is stored in the database. By reading actual code in sequence—from a basic HTTP server to authentication and data storage—you can grasp the overall backend flow.

📌

Junior developers focused on frontend

This is suitable for those who have difficulty knowing where to look among status codes, cookies, sessions, and authentication when an API error occurs. You can understand how a request from the screen passes through Express and the database before returning as a response.

📌

Aspiring entrepreneurs building services with vibe coding

This is suitable for those who have succeeded in running server code written by AI but find it difficult to explain where login is handled, where data is stored, or how to fix errors. You can understand the overall structure, from TypeScript and NestJS to connecting AI models and deploying to the cloud.




Notes Before Taking the Course


Practice Environment

  • The exercises are conducted on Windows (they can also be done in a Mac environment).

  • Node.js, VS Code, and Git are required (installation is covered in the course).
    At least 8 GB of memory is recommended.

  • We use Node.js@26, Express@5, and NestJS@11.

  • An AI service API key may be required for the AI assistant app practice. Costs may also be incurred during account creation and service usage in the AWS deployment practice, so be sure to check whether charges apply.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Important Notes

  • This course proceeds on the assumption that you have a basic understanding of JavaScript syntax.

  • Even if you don't know the syntax, you can take the course as long as you can get a general understanding with the help of AI and follow along.

  • This is not a course that teaches coding; it covers server architecture, how servers work, and related concepts.

  • Having a foundation in frontend development and the web will be helpful when taking the course.

Learning materials

  • We use the code shown in the lectures and the practice materials. They are all available on GitHub.

  • In GitHub, the slides folder contains the lecture PPTs, and the notes folder contains supplementary material notes.

  • The ch5, ch6, and ch9 folders contain infographic images, so please refer to them.

Recommended for
these people

Who is this course right for?

  • Developers who know the basics of JavaScript and are looking to start backend development

  • A frontend developer who wants to improve their server-side development skills

  • A vibe coder who does vibe coding but wants to understand how servers work.

  • Learners who want to learn how to use the Node.js and NestJS frameworks in practice

Need to know before starting?

  • Understanding basic JavaScript syntax and asynchronous processing concepts

  • Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS and an understanding of how the web works

  • Basic experience using the terminal (command line)

Hello
This is zerocho

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One of the key strengths of my courses is the Q&A support (Winner of the Inflearn Q&A King award twice). I respond to your questions within 24 hours, doing my best to help you out! I’ll answer your questions with the mindset that we are tackling the problems together!

One of the key strengths of my courses is the Q&A support. (Winner of the Inflearn Q&A King award twice) I respond to your questions within 24 hours, doing my best to help you out! You’ll feel like we’re solving the problems together.

👉ZeroCho Lectures
ZeroCho's full lecture roadmap. A complete roadmap of all my courses is available here.

– Author of Node.js Textbook, Self-Guided JavaScript by ZeroCho, Let's Get IT JavaScript, and TypeScript Textbook
ZeroCho.com Operator
– Currently) Broadcasting development-related content on ZeroCho TV via YouTube
– Formerly) Smoretalk CTO
– Formerly) CTO of Today's Pickup (Youngest Development Team Lead at Kakao Mobility after exit to Kakao Mobility)

  • Author of Node.js Textbook, Self-Guided JavaScript by ZeroCho, Let's Get IT JavaScript, and TypeScript Textbook

  • Operator of ZeroCho.com

  • Currently running a YouTube channel ZeroCho TV, covering development topics

  • Former CTO at SmoreTalk

  • Former CTO at Today Pickup (acquired by Kakao Mobility, where I became the youngest lead developer)

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Curriculum

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52 lectures ∙ (7hr 33min)

Course Materials:

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5.0

2 reviews

  • zerocho님의 프로필 이미지
    zerocho

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    If you have any questions regarding the lecture, please feel free to ask through pre-enrollment inquiries or the Q&A section, and I will get back to you quickly!! You are also welcome to ask about any development concerns related to Node.js ㅎㅎ

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      vientokk

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