Full-Stack JavaScript for Beginners
Understand the full web development cycle and build a portfolio-ready chat app to showcase your skills.
About this course
Start your full-stack web development journey by building a real-time chat app from the ground up, no prior experience needed.
In Part 1, you’ll create a complete backend with Node.js and Express: implement authentication, enable real-time messaging with WebSockets, connect a database, and test your work using a built-in demo interface.
In Part 2 (coming soon), you’ll design a responsive frontend with React, connect it to your backend, and deliver a smooth, interactive user experience—just like in professional web apps.
Your result: a portfolio-ready full-stack project and a clear understanding of how modern web applications are built, from backend to frontend.
This course runs directly in your JetBrains IDE
Content
- About this course
- Web app architecture
- Lesson overview
- Hello world
- New route handler
- Lesson overview
- Updating the project
- Handling request parameters
- Sum route implementation
- Educational frontend
- Lesson overview
- Looking at the test
- Writing tests
- Middleware concept
- Logging
- Lesson overview
- Interface vs implementation
- Create user
- Message service
- Lesson overview
- Messages router
- Authentication router
- Lesson overview
- Socket.IO
- Lesson overview
- Secret key
- Adding authentication
- Username from token
- WebSockets authentication
- Lesson overview
- Database integration
- A look inside the database
Learn with the tools developers use every day
Zoom
Zoom
Zoom
Zoom
What do you need to start?
The JetBrains Toolbox App 2.7+ makes setting up your course effortless. Already have a compatible IDE? It will launch it. If not, the app will install the right free IDE for your course.
Learn more about our licences here.
Click Launch course and then Allow to open the Toolbox App.
Select Always Allow to skip this confirmation in the future.
To return to the course later, find it in your IDE's recent projects.
Need more help? Check out our guide.
The JetBrains Toolbox App 2.7+ makes setting up your course effortless. Already have a compatible IDE? It will launch it. If not, the app will install the right free IDE for your course.
Learn more about our licences here.
Click Launch course and then Allow to open the Toolbox App.
Select Always Allow to skip this confirmation in the future.
To return to the course later, find it in your IDE's recent projects.
Need more help? Check out our guide.
FAQ and troubleshooting
Yes, you will need the JetBrains Toolbox App and a JetBrains IDE.
But don’t worry! Just click the Open course button and then select Allow in the resultant popup to install the JetBrains Toolbox App. We've taken care of all the necessary settings, and the app will handle the rest of the setup for you.
The JetBrains Toolbox App checks which IDE is compatible with your course and whether it is installed on your computer. If you have the necessary IDE installed, the app will open it. If not, JetBrains Toolbox will initiate the installation, prioritizing free community editions.
Yes, the JetBrains Toolbox App is essential even if you already have a JetBrains IDE. It automatically prepares your IDE for studying by installing the essential plugins and updating the IDE if necessary.
Please make sure your version of the JetBrains Toolbox App is 2.6 or newer. To update, open the app and click Update Toolbox App to 2.6.x., or download the latest version here.
Yes! It's 100% free and works with both the free and paid versions of JetBrains IDEs.
If you're a student, apply for the Student Pack to get full access to JetBrains IDEs for the duration of your studies. If not, check if you qualify for a free non-commercial license.