Full-Stack Web

Development
This presentation outlines a comprehensive curriculum for aspiring full-
stack web developers, covering essential front-end and back-end
technologies, development tools, and deployment strategies.
Chapter 1: HTML5/CSS3, Flexbox/Grid, Git Basics
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Understand the role of semantic HTML5 tags and their impact on accessibility.
Semantic HTML enhances accessibility and SEO.

Master CSS3 layout techniques including Flexbox and Grid.

Flexbox vs. Grid: choose based on layout dimension needs.

Learn to structure responsive pages using media queries.

Get started with Git: initializing repos, staging, committing, and pushing. Responsive design uses media queries and relative units.

Git workflows enable safe, collaborative coding.

Deep Dive Content

HTML5 introduced a set of semantic tags4such as <header>, <nav>, <section>, and <footer>4 Responsive design ensures your site renders well on any device. You9ll write media queries
that provide meaningful structure to web pages. These tags improve accessibility by giving targeting breakpoints for mobile, tablet, and desktop. Techniques like fluid typography, relative
assistive technologies explicit page landmarks. You will explore how semantic markup differs units, and container queries help create adaptable interfaces that don9t break on small screens.
from generic <div> usage and why it matters for both SEO and maintainability.
Git is the industry standard for version control. You9ll learn to initialize a repository, stage
CSS3 brought powerful layout modules. Flexbox allows you to align items along one axis, changes, commit snapshots, and push to GitHub. Branching workflows (feature branches, pull
distributing space dynamically. Grid enables two-dimensional control, letting you define rows requests) will be introduced, illustrating collaborative development and code review best
and columns for complex designs. We9ll compare use cases for each: Flexbox shines in practices.
one-dimensional components (navbars, toolbars), while Grid excels at full-page layouts.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Build a two-column landing page using CSS Grid, with a semantic header Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about how semantic HTML improves user
and footer. experience.
Chapter 2: JavaScript Fundamentals (ES6+), DOM Manipulation
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Grasp core JavaScript concepts: variables, data types, and scope.

Use let/const to avoid hoisting pitfalls.

Use loops and conditional logic for control flow.

Arrow functions simplify callbacks and preserve this.

Define and invoke functions, including arrow syntax.

Manipulate the DOM: selecting elements, handling events, and updating content. DOM APIs connect JavaScript logic to page elements.

ES6+ features improve code clarity and maintainability.

Deep Dive Content

JavaScript is the foundation of client-side interactivity. Variables declared with let, const, and var The Document Object Model (DOM) represents page structure as a tree of nodes. You9ll use
each have distinct scoping rules; you9ll learn why const and let are preferred in modern code. methods like querySelector, getElementById, and querySelectorAll to select elements. Event
Data types4strings, numbers, booleans, arrays, objects4form the building blocks of logic and listeners (addEventListener) let you respond to user actions4clicks, key presses, form
state. submissions4and dynamically modify HTML and CSS styles.

Control flow structures (for, while, if/else, switch) enable your scripts to make decisions and Modern ES6+ features such as template literals, destructuring, and the spread operator
repeat tasks. Arrow functions (()=>{}) offer concise syntax and lexical this binding, simplifying streamline code readability. You9ll see how these enhancements reduce boilerplate and prevent
callback code. We9ll compare arrow and traditional function declarations. common bugs, preparing you for advanced frameworks.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a color-changing button that toggles page background on click. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about how arrow functions differ from traditional
functions.
Chapter 3: CLI, npm, REST APIs (fetch), JSON
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Navigate and manage files using the Command-Line Interface (CLI).

CLI commands speed up file and project management.

Initialize and manage Node projects with npm.

npm scripts automate build and test workflows.

Understand REST principles and make HTTP requests using fetch.

Parse and manipulate JSON data in JavaScript. fetch enables client-side API communication.

JSON is the standard data exchange format on the web.

Deep Dive Content

The CLI is a powerful tool for developers. You9ll practice commands for navigating directories REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for web services. You9ll use fetch
(cd, ls/dir), creating files (touch, mkdir), and removing them. Text editors like VS Code integrate to perform GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests against RESTful APIs. Error handling with
terminal panels, streamlining your workflow. try/catch and checking response status codes ensures robustness.

npm (Node Package Manager) bootstraps JavaScript projects. npm init generates a package.json JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the lingua franca of API payloads. You9ll convert JSON
file, tracking dependencies and scripts. You9ll install modules (npm install react), manage dev strings to JavaScript objects with response.json(), traverse nested data, and format output for
dependencies, and run scripts like npm start and npm test. display. Understanding JSON schemas and validation is key for data integrity.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Build a CLI script that reads a local JSON file and logs a formatted summary. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about a REST API you9ve used and what data it
returned.
Chapter 4: Responsive Design & Tailwind CSS
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Apply responsive design principles with mobile-first CSS.

Mobile-first CSS streamlines responsiveness.

Configure and use Tailwind CSS utility classes.

Tailwind utility classes speed up styling without custom CSS.

Customize Tailwind configuration for colors, spacing, and breakpoints.

Compare Tailwind9s approach to traditional CSS. Tailwind configuration tailors the design system.

Utility-first avoids specificity conflicts in large projects.

Deep Dive Content

Responsive design ensures that your layouts adapt to varying screen sizes. A mobile-first Customization in Tailwind lets you define theme extensions: new color palettes, spacing scales,
approach4writing base styles for small screens, then adding media queries4yields efficient and custom breakpoints. This flexibility ensures design consistency across projects while
CSS that loads quickly on all devices. retaining full control.

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first framework providing low-level classes (e.g. p-4, text-center) to build Tailwind9s atomic classes reduce CSS specificity wars and eliminate <cascading= drawbacks. By
custom designs without writing custom CSS. You9ll install Tailwind via npm, configure composing utilities in your markup, you maintain a single source of truth and avoid
tailwind.config.js, and purge unused styles for optimized builds. context-specific style overrides.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Rebuild the static restaurant homepage using Tailwind utilities only. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about the pros and cons of utility-first CSS.

Phase 1: Cumulative Coding Exercise

Build a multi-page static site combining grid, flexbox, Tailwind utilities, and a Git workflow; deploy to Netlify.

Phase 1: Mini-Project

Create a responsive restaurant landing page with interactive menu filters, deployed via GitHub Pages.
Chapter 5: React Fundamentals (Components, JSX, Props)
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Understand React9s component architecture and JSX syntax.

Components and JSX form React9s core.

Build functional components and pass data via props.

Props drive data flow and component reuse.

Use React9s Virtual DOM for efficient rendering.

Organize component file structures for scalability. Virtual DOM optimizes UI updates.

Organize files for clear project structure.

Deep Dive Content

React uses a component-based model where UI elements are encapsulated into reusable The Virtual DOM diffing algorithm updates only changed elements, boosting performance. You9ll
functions. JSX4a syntax extension4allows HTML-like code within JavaScript, transpiled by learn how React batches state updates and reconciles changes efficiently.
Babel into React.createElement calls.
Best practices include splitting components into logical directories (e.g., components/, pages/),
Props (properties) enable parent-to-child data flow. You9ll define prop types and default props to using index files for exports, and naming conventions to enhance maintainability.
enforce component contracts. Composition patterns (container vs. presentational) help separate
concerns and simplify testing.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a UserCard component that displays a user9s name and avatar via Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about how JSX differs from plain HTML.
props.
Chapter 6: React Hooks (useState, useEffect), React Router
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Manage local component state with useState.

useState and useEffect replace class lifecycle and state.

Perform side effects (data fetching, subscriptions) with useEffect.

Dependency arrays in useEffect prevent infinite loops.

Configure client-side routing using React Router.

Handle route parameters and nested routes. React Router enables declarative routing in SPAs.

Nested and dynamic routes support scalable page structures.

Deep Dive Content

Hooks let you use state and lifecycle features in functional components. useState returns a state React Router provides <BrowserRouter>, <Route>, and <Link> components for SPA navigation.
variable and setter, replacing class component state. You9ll practice state updates and You9ll define routes, navigate programmatically, and retrieve URL parameters via useParams.
immutability patterns.
Nested routes allow complex layouts: parent routes render shared UI (navbars) while child
useEffect runs side-effect logic after render. Common use cases include data fetching from routes swap only specific regions. Dynamic routing enables pages like /users/:id.
APIs, setting up event listeners, and cleaning up on unmount. Dependency arrays control when
effects re-run.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Build a two-page app with React Router: Home and About. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about how useEffect dependency arrays work.
Chapter 7: Context API, Forms, API Integration
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Use React Context to share state across the app.

Context avoids excessive prop drilling.

Build controlled and uncontrolled forms in React.

Controlled vs. uncontrolled forms tradeoff control vs. simplicity.

Handle form validation and error messages.

Integrate third-party APIs within form submissions. Manual and library-based validation patterns.

API calls inside forms require robust error handling.

Deep Dive Content

Context API provides a way to pass data through the component tree without prop drilling. You9ll Validation ensures user inputs meet requirements. Libraries like Formik or React Hook Form
create a ThemeContext or AuthContext, wrap your app in a provider, and consume context via simplify validation schemas, but you'll learn manual validation techniques for custom rules.
useContext.
API integration within forms (e.g., submitting user registration) uses fetch or Axios. Handling
Forms in React can be controlled4where state drives input values4or uncontrolled4using refs loading states and displaying server-side validation errors completes the user feedback loop.
to read values. You9ll implement both patterns and choose based on complexity and
performance needs.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Build a login form with client-side validation and console-log the input Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about when you9d choose uncontrolled forms.
values.
Chapter 8: Next.js (SSR, File Routing), Vite Setup
Learning Objectives Key Takeaways

Understand Next.js server-side rendering (SSR) and static generation (SSG).

SSR vs. SSG tradeoffs: SEO vs. build time.

Configure file-based routing for pages and API routes.

File-based routing reduces boilerplate.

Set up Vite for fast development builds.

Compare Next.js built-in features to Create React App. Vite offers superior dev performance.

Next.js integrates server and client in one framework.

Deep Dive Content

Next.js extends React with SSR and SSG. SSR renders pages on each request, improving SEO Vite is a next-generation build tool with lightning-fast hot module replacement. You9ll scaffold a
and initial load. SSG pre-renders pages at build time for performance. You9ll use getStaticProps Vite project, configure plugins for React and Tailwind, and compare dev server speeds against
and getServerSideProps. Webpack.

File-based routing in Next.js maps files in the pages/ directory to URLs automatically. Dynamic Next.js9s opinionated defaults (image optimization, built-in CSS modules) streamline production
routes ([id].js) enable parameterized pages. API routes live under pages/api/ for backend readiness but limit some custom configuration until ejection4an option you9ll consider vs. Vite9s
endpoints. flexibility.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a Next.js page that fetches and displays data from a public API using Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry comparing SSR and SSG.
getStaticProps.

Phase 2: Cumulative Coding Exercise

Build a multi-page Next.js app with SSR, client navigation, and a shared context provider; deploy to Vercel.

Phase 2: Mini-Project

Develop an e-commerce product listing site with filtering, routing, and deploy it live.
Chapter 9: Node.js/Express REST APIs & Middleware
Learning Objectives
Set up an Express server with routing and middleware.
Build RESTful endpoints for CRUD operations.
Use Express middleware for logging, authentication stubs, and error handling.
Test API routes with Postman.

Deep Dive Content

Node.js allows JavaScript to run server-side. Express is a minimalist framework providing routing and middleware layers. You9ll create endpoints (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and organize routes in
separate files.

Middleware functions intercept requests for tasks like logging (e.g., Morgan), parsing JSON bodies (express.json()), and handling CORS. Custom middleware for authentication checks will be stubbed
for integration later.

RESTful design principles4resource-based URLs, proper HTTP verbs, and status codes4ensure your API is predictable. You9ll learn best practices for error responses and payload structures.

Postman is a GUI tool for testing APIs. You9ll create collections, write tests for response codes, and automate request validation to catch regressions early.

Key Takeaways
Express simplifies Node.js server creation.
Middleware layers handle cross-cutting concerns.
REST conventions maximize API clarity.
Postman aids manual and automated API testing.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Build an Express route that returns a JSON array of sample data. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about how middleware stacks work in Express. [Insert component
diagram here]
Chapter 10: MongoDB (Mongoose): Schemas & CRUD
Learning Objectives
Connect to MongoDB using Mongoose.
Define Mongoose schemas and models with validation rules.
Perform CRUD operations on MongoDB collections.
Handle connection errors and data migrations.

Deep Dive Content

MongoDB is a NoSQL document database storing JSON-like documents. Mongoose is an ODM (Object Data Modeling) library that maps JavaScript objects to MongoDB documents. You9ll install
Mongoose, configure connection strings, and handle connection events.

Schemas define document structure, default values, and validation. You9ll specify field types, required constraints, and custom validators. Models provide an interface for querying and updating
collections.

CRUD operations (Model.find(), Model.create(), Model.findByIdAndUpdate(), Model.deleteOne()) are straightforward. You9ll also learn about query chaining and projection to limit returned fields.

Handling large data sets may require pagination, indexing, and aggregation pipelines. While advanced, you9ll get an introduction to optimizing read/write performance.

Key Takeaways
Mongoose schemas enforce data integrity.
Models abstract MongoDB operations.
CRUD methods map directly to HTTP endpoints.
Indexing and aggregation improve performance.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a Book model with title, author, and year fields; insert and query sample documents. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about when you9d choose MongoDB
over SQL. [Insert component diagram here]
Chapter 11: PostgreSQL (pg): Tables & Basic SQL
Learning Objectives
Install and connect to PostgreSQL from Node.js using pg.
Design relational tables with primary and foreign keys.
Write basic SQL queries: SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE.
Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.

Deep Dive Content

PostgreSQL is a powerful relational database supporting complex queries and ACID transactions. You9ll install the server, create a database, and manage users with psql or a GUI like pgAdmin.

The pg library for Node.js lets you execute SQL from your application. You9ll configure client connections, handle pools, and manage query results and errors.

Relational design involves tables, columns, and relationships. You9ll create tables with constraints4unique, not null4and define foreign keys for one-to-many relations. Join operations combine data
across tables.

Parameterized queries ($1, $2) protect against SQL injection. You9ll practice passing parameters safely and using transactions to group related operations.

Key Takeaways
PostgreSQL excels at relational data integrity.
pg integrates SQL into Node.js seamlessly.
Proper table design prevents data anomalies.
Parameterized queries ensure security.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a users table and write a query to fetch all users with a given role. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about the differences you see between MongoDB and
PostgreSQL. [Insert component diagram here]
Chapter 12: Next.js API Routes & Authentication (JWT)
Learning Objectives
Create backend API routes in Next.js.
Implement JSON Web Token (JWT) authentication flow.
Secure routes and handle token verification.
Store and manage tokens in cookies or localStorage.

Deep Dive Content

Next.js API routes live under pages/api/ and behave like serverless functions. You9ll create endpoints for login, registration, and data retrieval, receiving and sending JSON payloads.

JWTs are stateless authentication tokens containing encoded payloads. You9ll generate tokens on login, sign them with a secret, and send them to the client. On protected routes, middleware or
helper functions will verify tokens and extract user claims.

Token storage strategies impact security: HTTP-only cookies prevent XSS, while localStorage simplifies client access but risks token theft. You9ll weigh these trade-offs and implement a secure
solution.

Error handling4expired or invalid tokens4requires clear client feedback and re-authentication flows. You9ll build utilities to refresh tokens and redirect unauthorized users.

Key Takeaways
Next.js API routes blend frontend and backend.
JWTs enable stateless, scalable authentication.
Secure token storage is critical for web app security.
Middleware streamlines route protection.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Build a login endpoint that returns a signed JWT on valid credentials. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about your chosen token storage strategy. [Insert component
diagram here]
Chapter 13: Docker Basics & Prisma ORM
Learning Objectives
Containerize databases and services with Docker.
Write Dockerfile and docker-compose.yml for multi-container setups.
Define Prisma schemas and generate client code.
Perform migrations and seed data with Prisma.

Deep Dive Content

Docker packages applications into containers, ensuring consistency across environments. You9ll write a Dockerfile for your Node API and use docker-compose to spin up both PostgreSQL and
MongoDB services alongside your app.

Prisma is an ORM for Node.js supporting multiple databases. You9ll define your data model in schema.prisma, run prisma migrate to create tables, and use the generated client to perform CRUD
operations.

Seeding scripts populate initial data for development. You9ll write a seed.ts script to insert sample records automatically after migrations.

Docker volumes persist database data between container restarts. You9ll configure volumes in docker-compose.yml and understand networking between containers.

Key Takeaways
Docker ensures environment parity.
docker-compose orchestrates multi-container apps.
Prisma schemas generate type-safe database clients.
Migrations and seeding streamline setup.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a docker-compose.yml that runs your API, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about the benefits of containerization. [Insert
component diagram here]

Phase 3: Cumulative Coding Exercise

Containerize your Phase 3 API, database services, and Prisma migrations; deploy locally with Docker Compose.

Phase 3: Mini-Project
Build a full CRUD backend for a bookstore with both MongoDB and PostgreSQL, including Docker setup and Prisma models.
Chapter 14: State Management (Redux Toolkit)
Learning Objectives
Install and configure Redux Toolkit in a React app.
Create slices, actions, and reducers using createSlice.
Use configureStore and the Redux DevTools extension.
Connect React components to state with useSelector and useDispatch.

Deep Dive Content

Redux Toolkit simplifies Redux by providing opinionated defaults. You9ll install @reduxjs/toolkit, set up a store with configureStore, and learn about immutability under the hood via Immer.

Slices bundle reducers and actions; you9ll define state shape and create reducers that handle actions automatically. Asynchronous logic uses createAsyncThunk for API calls, generating lifecycle
actions.

The Redux DevTools extension visualizes state changes over time. You9ll dispatch actions in your React components via useDispatch and read state via useSelector, separating UI from business logic.

Middleware concepts in Redux (thunks, custom middleware) allow you to inject logic at dispatch time. You9ll build a logging middleware to observe action payloads in the console.

Key Takeaways
Redux Toolkit abstracts boilerplate.
Slices and thunks standardize state logic.
DevTools aid in debugging.
Middleware extends Redux capabilities.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a counter slice with increment and decrement actions; connect it to a React component. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about when Redux is preferable to
local state. [Insert component diagram here]
Chapter 15: Realtime Features (WebSockets/Socket.io)
Learning Objectives
Understand WebSocket fundamentals and real-time communication.
Set up a Socket.io server and client in a full-stack app.
Handle connection events, broadcasting, and rooms.
Integrate real-time updates into React components.

Deep Dive Content

WebSockets provide persistent two-way connections between client and server. Unlike HTTP9s request/response, WebSockets allow servers to push updates spontaneously.

Socket.io builds on WebSockets with fallbacks for older browsers. You9ll install socket.io on the Node server and socket.io-client in React, configuring event listeners for connect, message, and
disconnect.

Rooms and namespaces organize communication channels. You9ll broadcast messages to specific rooms4for example, chat rooms or game lobbies4ensuring messages reach intended recipients.

In React, you9ll manage socket connections in a context provider, updating component state on incoming events. Cleanup on unmount prevents memory leaks and ghost listeners.

Key Takeaways
WebSockets enable bidirectional, low-latency updates.
Socket.io simplifies cross-browser support.
Rooms and namespaces scope communication.
Context integration centralizes socket logic.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Build a simple chat component that sends and receives messages in real time. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about challenges you faced implementing
WebSockets. [Insert component diagram here]
Chapter 16: Deployment (Vercel, Render), CI/CD Basics
Learning Objectives
Deploy static and full-stack apps to Vercel and Render.
Configure environment variables for production.
Set up GitHub Actions for continuous integration and deployment.
Monitor deployments and rollback on failure.

Deep Dive Content

Vercel specializes in Jamstack deployments. You9ll connect a GitHub repo, configure build commands, and manage environment variables (e.g., API keys) in the dashboard.

Render offers both static site hosting and managed services for Docker containers. You9ll provision a Postgres database add-on and deploy your Dockerized backend.

CI/CD pipelines automate testing and deployment. With GitHub Actions, you9ll write workflows (.github/workflows/ci.yml) that run unit tests, lint code, and deploy on push to main.

Rollback strategies include pinned Git tags and environment snapshots. You9ll practice reverting to previous deployments when issues arise.

Key Takeaways
Vercel and Render cater to different deployment needs.
Environment variables keep secrets out of code.
GitHub Actions enable automated pipelines.
Rollbacks ensure production stability.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Create a GitHub Actions workflow that runs tests and deploys to Vercel on merge. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about your preferred hosting platform and why.
[Insert component diagram here]
Chapter 17: TypeScript Basics & Code Optimization
Learning Objectives
Add TypeScript to a JavaScript project and configure tsconfig.json.
Define interfaces, types, and generics for strong typing.
Refactor existing components and functions to TypeScript.
Apply basic code optimization techniques (lazy loading, memoization).

Deep Dive Content

TypeScript adds static typing to JavaScript. You9ll install typescript and @types/node, initialize a tsconfig.json, and understand compiler options like strict and target.

Interfaces and type aliases describe object shapes and function signatures. Generics allow you to write reusable, type-safe components and utilities. You9ll convert a React component to .tsx and fix
type errors.

Code optimization strategies improve performance: React9s lazy and Suspense for code splitting, React.memo for component memoization, and use of useCallback/useMemo to prevent unnecessary
renders.

TypeScript9s tooling4IDE autocomplete, error highlighting4catches bugs early. You9ll explore how type-driven development leads to more robust codebases.

Key Takeaways
TypeScript enforces contracts at compile time.
Generics and interfaces increase code reusability.
Lazy loading and memoization optimize performance.
Type-driven tooling reduces runtime errors.

Engagement & Retention

Coding Challenge: Convert a simple JavaScript utility function to TypeScript with proper types. Reflection Prompt: Write a short journal entry about the benefits and challenges of adding TypeScript
to a project. [Insert component diagram here]

Phase 4: Cumulative Coding Exercise

Build and optimize a full-stack app with TypeScript, lazy loading, and a CI/CD pipeline; deploy to production.

Phase 4: Mini-Project
Develop a capstone-level Next.js/Socket.io social feed with real-time notifications, authentication, and containerized databases.