Full-Stack Application Fundamentals

Module Overview

Master the essential technologies and architectural patterns that power modern web applications. Build comprehensive expertise in frontend development with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, while understanding backend concepts including APIs, databases, and authentication. Learn to architect full-stack applications and apply these skills to build your complete Task Manager application from scratch.

Technical Depth

Frontend Fundamentals (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)

Foundation + Practice

Overview

Build a rock-solid foundation in the core technologies that power every web application. Master semantic HTML structure, modern CSS including Flexbox and Grid, and JavaScript fundamentals for interactive user experiences. Learn responsive design principles, accessibility best practices, and DOM manipulation techniques essential for professional frontend development.

Learning Resources

Course Title Provider Description Level Mandatory Action
Responsive Web Design
freeCodeCamp
Comprehensive course covering HTML5, CSS3, Flexbox, CSS Grid, and responsive design principles with hands-on projects.
Beginner Required Start Learning
JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
freeCodeCamp
Complete JavaScript fundamentals including ES6+ features, DOM manipulation, algorithms, and data structures with practical coding challenges.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
The Complete JavaScript Course
Udemy
Comprehensive JavaScript mastery course covering fundamentals to advanced concepts including async programming, OOP, and modern JavaScript features.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
CSS Grid and Flexbox Complete Guide
YouTube
Master modern CSS layout techniques with comprehensive coverage of Grid and Flexbox for responsive design and complex layouts.
Intermediate Optional Start Learning
JavaScript.info Modern Tutorial
JavaScript.info
Comprehensive JavaScript reference covering language fundamentals, browser APIs, and modern JavaScript development patterns.
All Levels Reference Start Learning
MDN Web Development Guide
Mozilla
Authoritative web development documentation covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web APIs with practical examples and best practices.
All Levels Reference Start Learning

Frontend Foundation Challenge

Task Manager Frontend Build
  1. Create semantic HTML structure for Task Manager login and dashboard pages
  2. Build responsive CSS layout using Flexbox and Grid for optimal mobile and desktop experience
  3. Implement interactive JavaScript features for task creation, editing, and completion
  4. Add form validation and user feedback using vanilla JavaScript
  5. Create smooth animations and transitions for enhanced user experience
  6. Ensure accessibility compliance with proper ARIA labels and keyboard navigation
Start Challenge

React Development & Modern Frontend

Framework Mastery

Overview

Master React, the industry-standard library for building user interfaces. Learn component-based architecture, state management, hooks, and modern React patterns. Understand JSX, props, lifecycle methods, and how to build scalable, maintainable frontend applications. Explore the React ecosystem including routing, styling solutions, and development tools.

Learning Resources

Course Title Provider Description Level Mandatory Action
React - The Complete Guide
Udemy
Comprehensive React course covering fundamentals to advanced topics including hooks, context, routing, and testing with hands-on projects.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
Front End Development Libraries
freeCodeCamp
Learn React fundamentals, Redux for state management, and build multiple projects including a calculator and Pomodoro clock.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
React Official Tutorial
React Team
Official React documentation and tutorial with hands-on tic-tac-toe game project and comprehensive API reference.
Beginner Required Start Learning
React Hooks Deep Dive
YouTube
Comprehensive guide to React Hooks including useState, useEffect, useContext, and custom hooks with practical examples.
Intermediate Optional Start Learning
React Router Tutorial
React Router
Master client-side routing in React applications with React Router v6, including nested routes, protected routes, and navigation.
Intermediate Optional Start Learning
Modern React with Redux
Udemy
Learn React with Redux for complex state management, including Redux Toolkit and RTK Query for modern application architecture.
Advanced Optional Start Learning

React Application Project

Task Manager React Application
  1. Convert Task Manager HTML/CSS/JS implementation to React components
  2. Implement component hierarchy with proper props and state management
  3. Create custom hooks for task management logic and data persistence
  4. Add React Router for multi-page navigation (dashboard, settings, profile)
  5. Implement context API or Redux for global state management
  6. Add advanced features like drag-and-drop task reordering and filtering
Start Project

Backend Development & APIs

Server-Side Architecture

Overview

Master server-side development concepts and API design patterns essential for full-stack applications. Learn REST API principles, HTTP methods, status codes, and data validation. Understand server architecture, middleware, authentication strategies, and how to design scalable backend systems that power modern web applications.

Learning Resources

Course Title Provider Description Level Mandatory Action
Back End Development and APIs
freeCodeCamp
Comprehensive backend course covering Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, and API development with hands-on projects and certification.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
Node.js Complete Course
Udemy
Master Node.js from fundamentals to advanced topics including Express.js, MongoDB, authentication, testing, and deployment.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
REST API Design Best Practices
Microsoft
Comprehensive guide to REST API design principles, HTTP methods, status codes, versioning, and security best practices.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
Express.js Crash Course
YouTube
Learn Express.js fundamentals including routing, middleware, templating, and building REST APIs with practical examples.
Beginner Optional Start Learning
API Testing with Postman
Postman Academy
Learn to test and debug APIs using Postman including automated testing, environments, and collaboration features.
Beginner Optional Start Learning
Authentication and Authorization
Auth0
Comprehensive guide to implementing authentication and authorization including JWT, OAuth, and security best practices.
Advanced Optional Start Learning

Backend API Development Lab

Task Manager REST API
  1. Design and implement REST API endpoints for task management (CRUD operations)
  2. Build Express.js server with proper middleware for logging, CORS, and error handling
  3. Implement data validation and sanitization for all API endpoints
  4. Add user authentication using JWT tokens and password hashing
  5. Create comprehensive API documentation using tools like Swagger/OpenAPI
  6. Test all endpoints using Postman and create automated test collections
Start Lab

Database Design & Integration

Data Architecture

Overview

Master database design principles and integration patterns for modern web applications. Learn both SQL and NoSQL database concepts, data modeling, schema design, and query optimization. Understand how to choose the right database solution, implement data relationships, and integrate databases securely with your backend APIs.

Learning Resources

Course Title Provider Description Level Mandatory Action
Relational Database
freeCodeCamp
Complete SQL course covering database design, queries, joins, functions, and advanced SQL concepts with hands-on practice.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
MongoDB Complete Course
Udemy
Comprehensive MongoDB course covering CRUD operations, aggregation, indexing, and integration with Node.js applications.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
Database Design Fundamentals
YouTube
Learn database design principles including normalization, entity-relationship diagrams, and data modeling best practices.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
Mongoose ODM Tutorial
Mongoose
Learn to use Mongoose ODM for MongoDB with Node.js including schema definition, validation, and advanced querying.
Intermediate Optional Start Learning
PostgreSQL Tutorial
PostgreSQL
Comprehensive PostgreSQL tutorial covering advanced SQL features, performance optimization, and enterprise database concepts.
Advanced Optional Start Learning
Prisma ORM Complete Guide
Prisma
Modern ORM for Node.js and TypeScript featuring type safety, database migrations, and powerful query builder.
Advanced Optional Start Learning

Database Integration Project

Task Manager Database Implementation
  1. Design database schema for users, tasks, categories, and relationships
  2. Implement database using both MongoDB (NoSQL) and PostgreSQL (SQL) approaches
  3. Create data models with proper validation, indexing, and constraints
  4. Integrate database with your Express.js API using appropriate ORM/ODM
  5. Implement advanced queries including aggregation, sorting, and pagination
  6. Add database migration scripts and seed data for development testing
Start Project

Full-Stack Architecture & Deployment

System Design + DevOps

Overview

Master full-stack application architecture and modern deployment strategies. Learn system design principles, microservices vs monolith architecture, containerization with Docker, and cloud deployment options. Understand CI/CD pipelines, environment management, monitoring, and security considerations for production applications.

Learning Resources

Course Title Provider Description Level Mandatory Action
Full Stack Web Development
The Odin Project
Comprehensive full-stack curriculum covering both frontend and backend development with practical projects and industry best practices.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
Docker Mastery Course
Udemy
Complete Docker course covering containerization, orchestration, and deployment strategies for modern applications.
Intermediate Required Start Learning
System Design Primer
GitHub
Comprehensive guide to system design concepts including scalability, load balancing, caching, and distributed systems principles.
Advanced Required Start Learning
AWS Cloud Deployment
AWS
Learn to deploy full-stack applications to AWS including EC2, RDS, S3, and other essential cloud services.
Intermediate Optional Start Learning
CI/CD with GitHub Actions
GitHub
Implement continuous integration and deployment pipelines using GitHub Actions for automated testing and deployment workflows.
Intermediate Optional Start Learning
Vercel Deployment Guide
Vercel
Deploy React and Next.js applications with Vercel's platform featuring automatic deployments, serverless functions, and edge optimization.
Beginner Optional Start Learning

Full-Stack Deployment Capstone

Complete Task Manager Production Deployment
  1. Containerize both frontend and backend applications using Docker
  2. Set up production database with proper security and backup strategies
  3. Configure reverse proxy (Nginx) and implement HTTPS with SSL certificates
  4. Deploy to cloud platform (AWS, Heroku, or DigitalOcean) with environment management
  5. Implement CI/CD pipeline for automated testing and deployment
  6. Add monitoring, logging, and performance optimization for production readiness
Start Capstone