🚀Dockerize an Express.js REST API with MongoDB | GitLab CI/CD Pipeline Series | Ep 8

Welcome to Episode 8 of our GitLab CI/CD Pipeline Series! In this hands-on tutorial, we will show you how to dockerize an Express.js REST API connected to a MongoDB database for data storage. This episode is perfect for developers who want to scale their applications, streamline their deployment processes, and get an introduction to automating their builds using GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
By the end of this video, you'll have a complete working solution that demonstrates how to containerize your backend API, connect it to a MongoDB instance, and automate its deployment using GitLab.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Dockerizing an Express.js API
Learn how to create a Docker container for your Express.js REST API. We'll take you step by step through the process of writing the Dockerfile, building the image, and running the container locally.
Connecting Express.js to MongoDB
We’ll show you how to set up a MongoDB container using Docker and connect it to your Express API. You’ll learn how to manage environment variables and configure your app to securely access the database.
Exploring Express API Endpoints
We’ll explore key REST API endpoints (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) that interact with MongoDB. You’ll see how to perform CRUD operations within a Dockerized environment and understand how Express.js handles incoming requests and communicates with MongoDB.
Setting up a GitLab CI/CD Pipeline
We’ll demonstrate how to automate the entire process using GitLab CI/CD. From building the Docker image to deploying the app on any platform, you’ll learn how to write an effective .gitlab-ci.yml file to make your deployments seamless and efficient.
Best Practices for Docker and MongoDB
We’ll cover Docker networking, container persistence, and managing MongoDB data in a production environment. Learn how to keep your data safe and how to set up your containers for maximum reliability and scalability.
🔧 Tools & Technologies Used:
Node.js and Express.js (for building the REST API)
MongoDB (for persistent data storage)
Docker (for containerization)
GitLab CI/CD (for continuous integration and deployment)
Postman or Insomnia (for testing API endpoints)
📋 What You Need to Get Started:
A basic understanding of JavaScript and Express.js.
Docker installed on your machine.
A GitLab account to set up your CI/CD pipeline.
Familiarity with the command line interface (CLI).
No worries if you’re new to any of these technologies - we walk you through everything in a beginner-friendly, easy-to-follow format.
💡 Why Should You Watch This Video?
This video is for developers who want to:
Dockerize their Express.js applications and make them portable.
Automate their deployment pipeline with GitLab CI/CD.
Learn how to connect their Express API to MongoDB, both locally and in production.
Understand Docker best practices for managing database connections and environments.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a complete working Dockerized Express.js app, integrated with MongoDB, and deployed automatically through GitLab’s CI/CD pipeline. You’ll be well-equipped to deploy your app to cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean!
💬 Have Questions?
If you have any questions or run into issues while following along, drop them in the comments! We’re here to help you every step of the way. Don't forget to hit the Like button if you find this tutorial helpful and Subscribe for more episodes in our GitLab CI/CD Pipeline Series.
📌 Tags for Search Optimization:
#Docker #ExpressJS #RESTAPI #MongoDB #GitLab #CI #CD #GitLabPipeline #DockerizeExpress #DockerTutorial #DevOps #WebDevelopment #NodeJS #JavaScript #CI/CD #DockerMongoDB #ExpressAPI #FullStack #BackendDevelopment #MongoDBTutorial #GitLabCI #Containerization #DockerExpress #CI/CDwithGitLab #DevOpsTutorial #AutomatedDeployment #DockerDevOps #APIContainerization
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Enjoy learning and happy coding! 👨‍💻🚀