My First RESTful API: A Beginner’s Journey

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Victor Osaikhuiwuomwan

On October 20, 2025, I built my first RESTful API with Node.js and Express. Here’s my journey as a beginner!

The Task

Create a GET /me endpoint with:

• Profile: victorosaikh@gmail.com, Victor Osaikhuiwuomwan, Node.js/Express
• Dynamic UTC timestamp
• Random cat fact from https://catfact.ninja/fact

My Process

1. Setup: Installed Node.js, VS Code, and ran npm init -y.
2. Coding: Built an Express server with Axios.
3. Debugging: Fixed SyntaxError: Unexpected token '(' and Git error pathspec 'README.md'.
4. Testing: Tested with postman http://localhost:3000/me.
5. GitHub: Added .gitignore and README.md, pushed to GitHub.
6. Deployment: Deployed on Railway.
7. Documentation: Updated README.md in VS Code and wrote this post.

Challenges and Lessons

• Challenge: Git error pathspec 'README.md' did not match any files.
• Lesson: Use pwd and dir to verify directory and files.
• Challenge: Syntax error in code.
• Lesson: Objects use key: value pairs.

Try It Out!

• Live Demo: profile-api-production-94d0.up.railway.app
• GitHub Repo: https://github.com//profile-api/victorion0

Screenshots

What’s Next?

I want to explore databases or more endpoints. Tips?

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Victor Osaikhuiwuomwan