Node.js Best Practices for Backend Development

Building robust Node.js applications requires following established best practices. Start with proper project structure, separating concerns between routes, controllers, and services. Use environment variables for configuration, implement proper error handling with middleware, and always validate user input. Security is paramount—sanitize data, use HTTPS, implement rate limiting, and keep dependencies updated. For scalability, consider using clustering, caching with Redis, and implementing proper database indexing. These practices ensure your Node.js applications are production-ready.