From Arrays to APIs: My (Mis)Adventures in Web Development

Once upon a time in a not-so-distant past, a curious BCA student named Hardik (yep, that's me!) set out on a journey to conquer the vast and wild land of Web Development. Armed with nothing but a laptop, an unholy obsession with LeetCode streaks, and a mild fear of semicolons, I dove headfirst into the world of backend development. Spoiler alert: It’s been a ride.

The Origin Story

I started my coding career like every other confused student—Googling "What is programming?" and being traumatized by the sight of my first Hello World. Fast forward to today, I can confidently say: I still Google stuff, but at least now I know what to Google.

The real spark for web development ignited when I realized the backend world was the perfect mix of logic, creativity, and the occasional debugging-induced existential crisis. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got friendly with Node.js, Express.js, SQL, MongoDB, and other buzzwords recruiters love to hear.

A DSA Dev Who Dabbles in Databases

Before we go any further, let me clarify: I’m not just a developer—I’m also a DSA survivor. Over the past months, I’ve solved 100 LeetCode problems, earned a 50-day streak, and even cracked a couple of "hard" questions. Each problem taught me valuable lessons, like how to handle edge cases...and emotional breakdowns.

But let’s be real: The real magic happens when you combine DSA with development. My favorite phrase these days? “O(1) or bust!”

The Project Diaries

After months of honing my skills, I decided it was time to build something more than just “another to-do app” (no offense, to-do lists). Thus, TravelBuddy was born—my first big web project. Imagine a platform where travelers can find companions to share costs like food, accommodation, and even terrible road trip playlists. Built using ExpressJS, MongoDB, and EJS, this project is my ode to wanderlust and problem-solving.

And that’s not all. I’ve also brainstormed a next-level idea: a website where you challenge your friends with coding problems and give hints at a point cost. Think of it as LeetCode meets Monopoly—except the fights are over code, not rent on Boardwalk.

Learning Curve or Roller Coaster?

Let’s talk about the journey. Web development has been a mix of moments where I felt like a wizard casting spells (console.log(‘It works!’)) and moments where I stared blankly at my screen, wondering why the CSS margin was ruining my life.

Every bug is like a gym trainer for your brain—it hurts, but it makes you stronger. For example, did you know that forgetting to return a promise in JavaScript can wreck your whole app? Neither did I...until I did.

The Llama Drama

Recently, I’ve been exploring the world of LLMs (Large Language Models). The goal? To create a personal project where users can input their LeetCode stats and get personalized suggestions for problems to solve. Picture an AI-powered coach who’s brutally honest about your weaknesses but still wants you to win. I’m still figuring it out, but hey, even AI had to start somewhere.

What’s Next?

As of now, I’m focused on mastering backend development, exploring full-stack projects, and maybe applying for some shiny internships at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. Oh, and cracking jokes on LinkedIn. Because what’s life without a little humor?

I’ve also got a backup plan: NIMCET prep for an MCA. Because hey, who doesn’t love the thrill of having two career paths and double the anxiety?

Final Thoughts

To sum it up, my web dev journey has been a beautiful mess—a mix of structured APIs and chaotic semicolons, late-night coding sessions, and the occasional "Let’s burn it all down and start fresh." But that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it?

If you’re reading this and thinking about starting your web dev journey, remember this: Break your code, not your spirit.

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P.S. To anyone hiring: I come with a side of Node.js expertise, MongoDB know-how, and a willingness to debug your code and your life decisions. DM me. ?

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