A Certified Node.js Developer course typically covers everything from the basics to advanced topics. Below is a structured syllabus from Zero to Hero:

1. Introduction to Node.js

What is Node.js? Why use it?

Node.js vs. Traditional Web Servers

Installing Node.js & npm (Node Package Manager)

Running JavaScript with Node.js (REPL)

2. Node.js Fundamentals

Understanding the Event Loop

Asynchronous Programming & Callbacks

Promises & Async/Await

Handling Errors in Node.js

3. Node.js Modules & Package Management

Built-in Modules (fs, path, http, os, etc.)

Creating Custom Modules

Using npm & package.json

Installing and Managing Dependencies

Versioning & Semantic Versioning (SemVer)

4. File System & Streams

Reading & Writing Files

Working with Directories

Streams & Buffers

File System Watcher (fs.watch)

5. HTTP & Web Server Development

Creating an HTTP Server with http Module

Handling Requests & Responses

Routing & Middleware Concepts

Building a Simple API without Express

6. Express.js Framework

Introduction to Express.js

Setting Up an Express Server

Middleware Functions & Application Flow

Handling Routes & Query Parameters

Serving Static Files

Error Handling in Express

7. Database Connectivity

Introduction to Databases (SQL vs. NoSQL)

Connecting Node.js with MySQL

CRUD Operations with MySQL

Connecting Node.js with MongoDB (Mongoose)

CRUD Operations with MongoDB

Using PostgreSQL with Node.js

8. RESTful API Development

What is a REST API?

Designing RESTful APIs

CRUD Operations with Express & Databases

Authentication & Authorization (JWT & OAuth)

API Documentation with Swagger/Postman

9. Authentication & Security

Hashing & Storing Passwords (bcrypt)

Implementing User Authentication (JWT, OAuth)

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Preventing SQL Injection & XSS

Securing API Routes

10. Real-Time Applications with WebSockets

Introduction to WebSockets

Using socket.io for Real-Time Communication

Building a Chat Application

Broadcasting Events

11. Performance Optimization & Caching

Best Practices for Node.js Performance

Load Balancing & Clustering

Using Redis for Caching

Profiling & Debugging (Node Inspector)

12. Testing in Node.js

Introduction to Unit & Integration Testing

Testing with Jest & Mocha

Mocking Data & Services

Test-Driven Development (TDD)

13. Deployment & DevOps

Deploying Node.js Applications (PM2, Docker)

Continuous Integration & Deployment (CI/CD)

Monitoring & Logging (Winston, Morgan)

Hosting on AWS, DigitalOcean, or Vercel

14. Advanced Topics

Microservices Architecture in Node.js

GraphQL with Node.js

Message Queues (RabbitMQ, Kafka)

Working with WebAssembly (WASM)

Serverless with AWS Lambda

15. Capstone Project

Building a Full-Stack Application

Implementing Best Practices

Deploying & Showcasing the Project

Preparing for Certification Exam