To get the most out of this book

To fully benefit from this book, you should have a foundational understanding of JavaScript and basic programming concepts. Familiarity with Node.js, including its runtime environment and asynchronous programming model, will be advantageous as you dive into microservices development. Additionally, a basic knowledge of web development and RESTful APIs will help you grasp the communication techniques and patterns discussed in the book. While not mandatory, experience with Docker, Git, and CI/CD processes will enhance your ability to follow along with the practical examples and deployment strategies covered in the later chapters.

Software/hardware covered in the book	Operating system requirements
Node.js (Windows version v20.12.1)	Windows, macOS, or Linux
Docker Desktop (Windows version 4.33.1)	Windows, macOS, or Linux
VS Code (Windows version 1.92.2)	Windows, macOS, or Linux
Postman (Windows version 11.8)	Windows, macOS, or Linux

While the aforementioned versions are specific to Windows, Node.js, Docker Desktop, Visual Studio Code, and Postman also work seamlessly on macOS and Linux. Users of these operating systems should download their appropriate versions from the official websites. The core functionality remains consistent across all operating systems, ensuring a similar experience regardless of your platform.

Important note

If you are using the digital version of this book, we advise you to type the code yourself or access the code from the book’s GitHub repository (a link is available in the next section). Doing so will help you avoid any potential errors related to the copying and pasting of code.

For your convenience, you can download the source code to follow along with the book. However, most chapters also provide detailed instructions to guide you in writing everything from scratch, ensuring that you understand each step of the process.