Traditional web dev stacks use a different programming language in every layer, resulting in a complex mashup of code and frameworks. Together, the MongoDB database, the Express and AngularJS frameworks, and Node.js constitute the MEAN stack—a powerful platform that uses only one language, top to bottom: JavaScript. Developers and businesses love it because it's scalable and cost-effective. End users love it because the apps created with it are fast and responsive. It's a win-win-win!

About the Book

Getting MEAN with Mongo, Express, Angular, and Node

teaches you how to develop web applications using the MEAN stack. First, you'll create the skeleton of a static site in Express and Node, and then push it up to a live web server. Next, you'll add a MongoDB database and build an API before using Angular to handle data manipulation and application logic in the browser. Finally you'll add an authentication system to the application, using the whole stack. When you finish, you'll have all the skills you need to build a dynamic data-driven web application.

What's Inside

Full-stack development using JavaScript

Responsive web techniques

Everything you need to get started with MEAN

Best practices for efficiency and reusability

About the Reader

Readers should have some web development experience. This book is based on MongoDB 2, Express 4, Angular 1, and Node.js 4.

About the Author

Simon Holmes

has been a full-stack developer since the late 1990s and runs Full Stack Training Ltd.

Table of Contents

PART 1 SETTING THE BASELINE

Introducing full-stack development

Designing a MEAN stack architecture

PART 2 BUILDING A NODE WEB APPLICATION

Creating and setting up a MEAN project

Building a static site with Node and Express

Building a data model with MongoDB and Mongoose

Writing a REST API: Exposing the MongoDB database to the application

Consuming a REST API: Using an API from inside Express

PART 3 ADDING A DYNAMIC FRONT END WITH ANGULAR

Adding Angular components to an Express application

Building a single-page application with Angular: Foundations

Building an SPA with Angular: The next level

PART 4 MANAGING AUTHENTICATION AND USER SESSIONS

Authenticating users, managing sessions, and securing APIs

APPENDIXES

Installing the stack

Installing and preparing the supporting cast

Dealing with all of the views

Reintroducing JavaScript - available online only