Backend development

Stage 1 · Lesson 1 of 10

The terminal and Git

Your language and how HTTP works

Most backend work happens in a , the text window where you type commands (also called the command line or shell). You start servers, read logs, run tests and connect to databases there. The servers you deploy to have no mouse at all.

Learn to move around folders, pass one command's output into another with | and search it with grep. Learn to read and to stop a running process with Ctrl+C. is version control: it records every change you commit, so you can see and undo any step.

Learn the everyday loop first: git status, git add, git commit with a clear message, and git push. Then learn branches and , where teammates review your change before it is merged. Start both on day one, because every later stage assumes them.

Common trapcommitting huge, mixed changes with messages like "fix". Small commits that each do one thing are what let you find and undo a bad change later.

A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 3 cheat sheet entries come with the full roadmap. Unlock

Resources for this stage

Start with· follow one of these

  • CoursePaid
    Grokking JavaScript Fundamentals

    Design Gurus · Beginner · $50

    JavaScript itself in a sensible order: scope, closures, promises and async code

  • GuideFree
    Node.js Learn

    OpenJS Foundation · Beginner

    Official guides on the event loop, async work, the http module and environment variables

Practise

  • Exercism

    Your language track: small exercises with free mentor feedback on idiomatic code

Keep handy

  • The TypeScript Handbook

    Read Everyday Types and Narrowing first, then keep it open while you write TypeScript

  • MDN Web Docs

    Read the HTTP overview, methods, headers and status code pages until they feel obvious

Also worth your time

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