Introduction to REST API Design

Building scalable REST APIs is crucial for modern web applications. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore best practices for creating APIs that can handle growth and maintain performance.

console.log("hello");

Setting Up Your Environment

First, let's set up a basic Express.js server:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3000;

app.use(express.json());

app.listen(PORT, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${PORT}`);
});

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Implementing Proper Error Handling

Error handling is critical for production APIs. Here's how to implement a robust error handling middleware:

const errorHandler = (err, req, res, next) => {
  const statusCode = err.statusCode || 500;
  res.status(statusCode).json({
    error: {
      message: err.message,
      status: statusCode
    }
  });
};

app.use(errorHandler);

Database Integration and Connection Pooling

For scalability, implement proper database connection pooling and use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Caching Strategies

Implement Redis caching for frequently accessed data to reduce database load and improve response times.

Rate Limiting and Security

Protect your API from abuse with rate limiting and implement proper authentication and authorization mechanisms.