backend-development

Backend Development Skill

Use this skill when developing backend APIs, integrating external services, implementing middleware, optimizing server performance, or working with the Turbonomic API.

When to Use This Skill

• Creating or modifying API endpoints
• Integrating with Turbonomic API
• Implementing authentication and authorization
• Adding middleware for logging, validation, or security
• Optimizing backend performance
• Handling errors and implementing security measures
• Setting up server configuration

Core Technologies

• Node.js (v18+)
• Express.js framework
• Axios for HTTP requests
• Winston for logging
• Jest for testing

Key Principles

1. RESTful API Design - Follow REST conventions for endpoints
2. Security First - Validate inputs, sanitize data, use secure practices
3. Error Handling - Centralized error handling with proper status codes
4. Performance - Implement caching, compression, and connection pooling
5. Testability - Write testable, modular code

Quick Reference

Express Server Setup

const express = require('express');
const cors = require('cors');
const helmet = require('helmet');

const app = express();

// Middleware
app.use(helmet());
app.use(cors());
app.use(express.json());

// Routes
app.use('/api/turbonomic', require('./routes/turbonomic'));

// Error handler
app.use((err, req, res, next) => {
  console.error(err.stack);
  res.status(err.status || 500).json({
    error: err.message || 'Internal server error'
  });
});

const PORT = process.env.PORT || 4000;
app.listen(PORT, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${PORT}`);
});

API Endpoint Pattern

const express = require('express');
const router = express.Router();
const { body, validationResult } = require('express-validator');

router.post('/actions',
  // Validation
  body('turboHost').isURL(),
  body('turboUsername').notEmpty(),
  body('turboPassword').notEmpty(),
  
  // Handler
  async (req, res, next) => {
    try {
      const errors = validationResult(req);
      if (!errors.isEmpty()) {
        return res.status(400).json({ errors: errors.array() });
      }
      
      const { turboHost, turboUsername, turboPassword } = req.body;
      const actions = await turbonomicService.getActions(
        turboHost,
        turboUsername,
        turboPassword
      );
      
      res.json(actions);
    } catch (error) {
      next(error);
    }
  }
);

module.exports = router;