Backend API Development

Design and test a small authenticated API with validation, safe errors, and documentation.

Problem statement · Illustrative

Clients need a small authenticated API that validates input, returns predictable errors, and protects a primary resource.

Primary user workflow · Illustrative

Authenticate → create or update a resource through a validated endpoint → retrieve it → observe correct status codes on invalid input.

Functional scope · Illustrative

API design, validation, auth basics, error responses, tests, and short API documentation.

Technical components · Illustrative

HTTP API, auth middleware or equivalent, persistence for one resource, validators, and automated API tests.

Data requirements · Illustrative

Learner-owned sample data only.

Testing expectations · Illustrative

Auth success, validation rejection, unauthorized access case, and at least one server error path with a safe response.

Known limitations · Illustrative

Not a full microservice platform. Rate limiting at scale, multi-tenant tenancy models, and payment APIs are out of scope unless published for a cohort.

What counts as completion · Illustrative

Working authenticated API, tests for critical paths, documentation, and a walkthrough of error contracts.

Example or assigned project work—not a published student achievement or employment guarantee. Student work is not assumed for commercial use without appropriate agreements. Sections marked illustrative are representative examples, not a fixed commercial brief.