Course Title: Beginner API Development

📅 Duration: 4 Weeks (Twice a Week)
🖥 Format: Online Live Sessions + Hands-on Assignments

Week 1: Introduction to APIs & Setting Up the Environment

📌 Session 1:

• What is an API? Understanding RESTful APIs

• HTTP Basics: Methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), Status Codes

• Setting Up Development Environment (Node.js & Express OR Django REST Framework)

• Mini Project: Basic API Returning JSON

📌 Session 2:

• Creating Endpoints & Handling Requests

• Working with Query Parameters & Request Body

• API Response Formatting & Error Handling

• Mini Project: Simple User Profile API

Week 2: Working with Databases & CRUD Operations

📌 Session 3:

• Introduction to Databases (SQL vs. NoSQL)

• Connecting API to a Database (PostgreSQL / MongoDB)

• Implementing POST, GET, PUT, DELETE Routes

• Mini Project: Task Management API

📌 Session 4:

• Using an ORM (Sequelize for Node.js / Django ORM)

• Data Validation & Error Handling

• Handling API Pagination & Filtering

• Mini Project: Paginated Product Catalog API

Week 3: Authentication & Security Basics

📌 Session 5:

• Introduction to API Authentication & Authorization

• Implementing API Key & Token-Based Authentication

• Introduction to JWT (JSON Web Tokens)

• Mini Project: User Registration & Login API

📌 Session 6:

• Middleware for Security & Logging

• CORS & Preventing Common API Security Issues

• Rate Limiting & Throttling for API Protection

• Mini Project: Secure Authentication API

Week 4: API Documentation, Deployment & Final Project

📌 Session 7:

• Writing API Documentation (Swagger / Postman)

• Testing APIs with Postman & Automated Tests

• Versioning APIs for Future Updates

• Mini Project: Documented Blog API

📌 Session 8:

• Deploying APIs to the Cloud (Render, Heroku, or AWS)

• Best Practices for Scalable API Development

• Final Project Showcase & Code Review

• Next Steps: Moving to Advanced API Development (GraphQL, Microservices)