Project 01: Task Management API with Testing Suite

This is your foundation project. Most web applications need to handle data - creating, reading, updating, and deleting records. This project teaches you how to build APIs the right way from the start.

Testing is included because writing tests as you code helps you catch bugs early and makes your code more reliable. In real jobs, companies expect code to have tests. Learning this now will make you a better developer and help you ship code with confidence.

You'll learn proper error handling so your API doesn't crash when users send bad data. You'll also learn how to validate inputs, which keeps your database clean and your application secure.

Build a RESTful API from scratch with comprehensive test coverage. This project emphasizes proper API design patterns, error handling, validation, and professional testing practices that you'll use throughout your career.

You'll create a task management system where users can create, read, update, and delete tasks. The focus is not on building something novel, but on building something correctly with industry-standard practices.

Master RESTful API design principles and conventions

Write comprehensive unit and integration tests with high coverage

Implement proper error handling and validation middleware

Structure a Node.js project following best practices

Use HTTP status codes correctly and consistently

Document your API with clear examples

REST API Basics: Search for "REST API tutorial" or "RESTful API design principles". Learn about HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and what each one does.

Express.js: Official Express documentation at expressjs.com. Look for routing and middleware sections.

Testing with Jest: Jest documentation at jestjs.io. Start with "Getting Started" and then look at "Testing Asynchronous Code".

Supertest: GitHub page for Supertest. It's simple - just look at the examples in the README.

Mongoose: Official docs at mongoosejs.com. Focus on schemas, models, and basic CRUD operations.

Validation: Look up express-validator or Joi validation library documentation. Both have clear examples.

GET /api/tasks - Retrieve all tasks with optional filtering by status or priority

GET /api/tasks/:id - Retrieve a single task by ID

POST /api/tasks - Create a new task

PUT /api/tasks/:id - Update an existing task

DELETE /api/tasks/:id - Delete a task

GET /api/tasks/stats - Get statistics (total tasks, by status, by priority)

Write tests before implementing features (test-driven development approach)

Handle edge cases like invalid IDs, duplicate entries, and missing fields

Implement query parameters for filtering and sorting

Create reusable middleware for validation and error handling

Set up separate test and development databases

Mock database operations in unit tests

Add pagination to the GET all tasks endpoint

Implement search functionality (search by title or description)

Add due date field with validation (must be future date)

Create a simple API documentation page or README with examples

Add request logging middleware

Implement rate limiting for API endpoints

All CRUD operations work correctly and return appropriate status codes

All tests pass with at least 80% coverage

Invalid requests are handled gracefully with clear error messages

Code is organized into logical modules (routes, controllers, models, middleware)

API responds consistently and predictably

You can explain every design decision you made