Pro MERN Stack

Chapter 1: Why MERN

This is an introductory chapter that discusses the history of React and MERN and why it's suitable for a variety of web apps. One interesting topic that I will be discussing here is why it was created and what problem it tried to solve. This will give great insights into what kind of apps React is most suitable for, and for what kind of apps it will be a misfit.

Chapter 2: Intro to React and Hello World

This chapter starts with installation of some basic components: Node, npm, Express, Babel and React. Then, the first pieces of code is written, which brings up the customary Hello World app. All the code at this point is in React (ie, no server side coding). I introduce the basics of React in this chapter.

Chapter 3: React Components

Here, I'll invent the functional requirements of our sample app that we'll use throughout the book. Then, I'll start off the first important concept of React: components and composition. Using this, we'll build the first cut of the sample app - we'll build the UI to show a list of bugs, a placeholder for a filter to control the list and another placeholder which will become a form to add a bug to the list.

Chapter 4: Data from Server

In this chapter, I will describe how data can be served from the server via APIs. I'll introduce Express and describe how to create REST APIs using Express routes. At the end of this chapter, we'll be serving the data from the server instead of hardcoded data on in our app scripts, and using this data to render our components.

Chapter 5: Using MongoDB to save the data

Here, we'll take data handling to the next level and introduce MongoDB. We'll explore how to save and retrieve data from a MongoDB database via the Mongo shell, and later, via the MongoDB Driver from our app server.

Chapter 6: Build and Bundle using Webpack

When we have many components, it is good to modularize the app. It also becomes essential when we start using third party libraries. In

Vasan Subramanian has experienced all kinds of programming, from 8-bit, hand-assembled code on an 8085 to AWS Lambda. He not only loves to solve problems using software, but he also looks for the right mix of technology and processes to make a software product team most efficient. He learned software development at companies such as Corel, Wipro, and Barracuda Networks, not just as a programmer but also as a leader of teams at those companies. Vasan studied at IIT Madras and IIM Bangalore. In his current job as CTO at Accel, he mentors startups on all things tech. While not mentoring or coding (or writing books!), Vasan runs half marathons and plays 5-a-side soccer. He can be contacted at vasan.promern@gmail.com for boquets, brickbats, or anything in-between.