AceDevHub Learning Route

Backend Developer Roadmap 2026

JavaScript → Node.js → APIs → auth → PostgreSQL → deploy — with proof tasks and AceDevHub links.

Stage 01 · JavaScript Runtime Review

Backend engineers still write JavaScript first — async, modules, errors, and TypeScript essentials before Node depth.

1.
JavaScript Runtime for Backend EngineersEssential60 min
Where JS runs on the server, how Node differs from the browser, and reading stack traces.
2.
Async JavaScript & Event Loop ReviewEssential120 min
Promises, async/await, event loop ordering — the root of Node concurrency.
3.
Modules & Package EcosystemEssential90 min
ESM vs CommonJS, npm scripts, and dependency hygiene for API services.
4.
Error Handling & Debugging BasicsEssential90 min
try/catch with async, structured logs, and reproducing handler failures locally.
5.
TypeScript Essentials for BackendEssential120 min
Typing handlers, env config, and shared DTOs — AceDevHub api + packages/shared pattern.

Deep Node.js — process model, event loop, modules, streams, and filesystem APIs backend engineers use daily.

1.
Node Process Model & Runtime ArchitectureEssential90 min
Single-threaded JS, libuv thread pool, and what runs where in Node.
2.
Node Event Loop Deep DiveEssential150 min
Timers, I/O phases, microtasks, nextTick — predict execution order.
3.
Node Modules: CommonJS & ESM InteropEssential90 min
require vs import, __dirname equivalents, and package type module.
4.
Streams & BuffersEssential120 min
Readable/writable streams, backpressure, and chunked I/O for large payloads.
5.
File System & Path APIsEssential90 min
fs/promises, path.join, and safe file operations in API jobs.
6.
Node Core Interview CheckpointEssential120 min
Revise event loop, streams, and modules via AceDevHub Node interviews.

Design and implement production HTTP APIs — REST principles, handlers, validation, and consistent errors.

1.
HTTP Fundamentals for APIsEssential90 min
Methods, headers, status codes, cookies, and request/response lifecycle.
2.
REST API Design PrinciplesEssential120 min
Resource URLs, nouns, pagination, filtering, and versioning habits.
3.
Fastify Handler & Service PatternsEssential150 min
Routes, handlers, services, repositories — AceDevHub modular monolith layout.
4.
Request Validation & SchemasEssential120 min
Zod at boundaries, typed bodies, query params, and 400 field errors.
5.
Structured API Errors & Status CodesEssential90 min
Consistent { code, message } envelopes, operational errors, and logging.
6.
API Design CheckpointCheckpoint180 min
Design and stub CRUD + pagination for a resource with validation and errors.

Authentication, sessions, JWT, OAuth overview, and API security middleware — production-grade habits.

1.
Authentication Concepts & Threat ModelEssential90 min
Identity, sessions, tokens, and what attackers actually target on APIs.
2.
JWT & Session StrategiesEssential120 min
Stateless JWT vs server sessions, httpOnly cookies, refresh rotation.
3.
Password Hashing & Credential StorageEssential60 min
bcrypt/argon2 via libraries, never plain text, and timing-safe comparisons.
4.
OAuth & Google Login OverviewEssential90 min
Authorization code flow, callbacks, and AceDevHub Google-only auth model.
5.
API Security Middleware & Rate LimitingEssential90 min
CORS, helmet headers, rate limits, and auth guards on sensitive routes.

Persistent data with PostgreSQL — schema design, migrations, queries, indexes, and raw SQL through pg matching AceDevHub rules.

1.
Relational Data Modeling BasicsEssential120 min
Tables, keys, relationships, and normalization habits for API-backed apps.
2.
PostgreSQL Schema & MigrationsEssential120 min
Numbered SQL migrations, constraints, and safe schema evolution.
3.
SQL Queries, JOINs & IndexingEssential150 min
Parameterized SELECT/INSERT/UPDATE, JOINs, pagination, EXPLAIN basics.
4.
Raw SQL with pg & Repository PatternEssential150 min
pg driver, connection pooling, repositories — AceDevHub modular monolith data layer.
5.
Database & API Integration CheckpointCheckpoint240 min
Wire section 3 API stubs to PostgreSQL with migrations and repositories.

Redis, background jobs, and scaling concepts — the AceDevHub stack includes Redis and BullMQ worker.

1.
Redis Caching & Session StorageEssential120 min
TTL caches, session keys, rate limit counters, and invalidation.
2.
Background Jobs & BullMQ IntroEssential120 min
Async work off the request path — email, imports, snapshots via worker.
3.
Horizontal Scaling & Load BalancingEssential90 min
Multiple API instances, sticky sessions, and stateless handler design.
4.
Node Cluster & Worker Threads IntroEssential90 min
Multi-core Node via cluster module and isolated CPU with worker_threads.

Test APIs with confidence and operate them with logs, health checks, and basic metrics.

1.
Unit & Integration Testing APIsEssential150 min
Test services and HTTP routes — mock repos vs test database tradeoffs.
2.
Test Databases & FixturesEssential90 min
Isolated Postgres for tests, migrations, and deterministic seed data.
3.
Structured Logging & Request TracingEssential90 min
JSON logs, correlation ids, and debugging production 500s safely.
4.
Health Checks & Metrics BasicsEssential90 min
/health endpoints, readiness vs liveness, and starter metrics.

Ship backend services — env config, containers, portfolio projects, and capstone API.

1.
Environment Config & Secrets for BackendEssential60 min
12-factor config, validated env boot, and secret rotation habits.
2.
Docker Compose & Container DeployEssential180 min
api + worker + postgres + redis locally and production parity.
3.
Choosing Backend Portfolio ProjectsCheckpoint60 min
Scope API projects that prove auth, SQL, queues, and deploy.
4.
Backend Capstone API ProjectCheckpoint600 min
Flagship API: auth, CRUD, migrations, tests, Redis, deploy.

Structured revision — Node.js and PostgreSQL interview hubs plus system design and mock prep.

1.
Node.js Interview SprintEssential300 min
100 Node questions — event loop, streams, cluster, production scenarios.
2.
PostgreSQL Interview SprintEssential240 min
SQL, indexes, transactions, and query tuning interview themes.
3.
Backend System Design BasicsEssential180 min
Design URL shortener, rate limiter, or notification API at whiteboard level.
4.
Backend Interview ReadinessEssential180 min
Mock loops, capstone walkthrough, and weak-area drill plan.