First NestJS application - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is NestJS?

NestJS is a framework for building efficient, scalable Node.js server-side applications using TypeScript and modern JavaScript features.

beginner

What command creates a new NestJS project?

The command nest new project-name creates a new NestJS application with a ready-to-use structure.

beginner

What is the role of a controller in a NestJS application?

A controller handles incoming requests and returns responses. It acts like a traffic controller directing requests to the right place.

beginner

How do you start the NestJS application server?

Run npm run start or nest start in the project folder to launch the server locally.

beginner

What file contains the main entry point of a NestJS app?

The main.ts file is the entry point where the NestJS application is created and started.

Which command initializes a new NestJS project?

A node create nest

B npm init nest

C nest new my-app

D nest create app

The correct command is nest new my-app to create a new NestJS project.

What does a controller do in NestJS?

A Compiles TypeScript code

B Manages database connections

C Defines application styles

D Handles incoming HTTP requests

Controllers handle incoming HTTP requests and send responses.

Which file is the main entry point of a NestJS app?

A main.ts

B app.module.ts

C controller.ts

D package.json

The main.ts file bootstraps and starts the NestJS application.

How do you start the NestJS server locally?

A nest build

B npm run start

C node server.js

D npm install

Use npm run start to launch the NestJS server.

NestJS is built on top of which platform?

A Node.js

B Ruby

C Python

D Java

NestJS runs on Node.js, using TypeScript and JavaScript.

Describe the steps to create and run your first NestJS application.

Think about commands and files involved.

Explain the role of a controller in a NestJS app and how it fits in the app structure.

Controllers are like request managers.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a controller in a NestJS application?

easy

A. To configure the server settings and environment variables

B. To connect to the database and manage data storage

C. To handle incoming HTTP requests and send responses

D. To define the application's routing paths only

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of controllers

   Controllers in NestJS are designed to receive HTTP requests and return responses to the client.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other components

   Modules organize the app, services handle business logic, and controllers handle requests and responses.

3. Final Answer:

   To handle incoming HTTP requests and send responses -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Controller = Request handler [OK]

Hint: Controllers respond to HTTP requests directly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing controllers with modules
• Thinking controllers manage database connections
• Assuming controllers only define routes without logic

2. Which of the following is the correct way to start a NestJS application in the main.ts file?

easy

A. app.start(3000);

B. await app.listen(3000);

C. app.run(3000);

D. app.open(3000);

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the bootstrap function usage

   The NestJS app instance uses the listen() method to start the server on a specified port.

2. Step 2: Confirm the correct syntax

   The correct syntax is await app.listen(3000); to asynchronously start the server on port 3000.

3. Final Answer:

   await app.listen(3000); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Start server with listen() [OK]

Hint: Use listen() method to start the server [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent methods like start() or run()
• Forgetting to await the listen() call
• Confusing listen() with open()

3. Given this controller code snippet, what will be the HTTP response when a GET request is made to '/'?

import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller()
export class AppController {
  @Get()
  getHello(): string {
    return 'Hello, NestJS!';
  }
}

medium

A. No response because method is not async

B. An error because @Get decorator is missing a path

C. "GET request received"

D. "Hello, NestJS!"

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the controller method

   The method getHello() is decorated with @Get() without a path, so it responds to GET requests at the root path '/'.

2. Step 2: Understand the returned value

   The method returns the string 'Hello, NestJS!', which will be sent as the HTTP response body.

3. Final Answer:

   "Hello, NestJS!" -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   @Get() returns method string response [OK]

Hint: @Get() without path means root '/' route [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking @Get() requires a path argument
• Assuming async is required for response
• Expecting JSON response instead of string

4. What is wrong with this main.ts file that prevents the NestJS app from starting?

import { NestFactory } from '@nestjs/core';
import { AppModule } from './app.module';

async function bootstrap() {
  const app = await NestFactory.create(AppModule);
  app.listen(3000);
}

bootstrap();

medium

A. Missing await before app.listen(3000);

B. AppModule is not imported correctly

C. bootstrap function is not called

D. NestFactory.create should be synchronous

Solution

1. Step 1: Check async function usage

   The bootstrap function is async, so asynchronous calls inside should be awaited to ensure proper execution.

2. Step 2: Identify missing await

   The call app.listen(3000); returns a Promise and should be awaited as await app.listen(3000); to start the server correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing await before app.listen(3000); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Always await async listen() call [OK]

Hint: Always await app.listen() in async bootstrap [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not awaiting app.listen() causing server not to start
• Assuming NestFactory.create is synchronous
• Forgetting to call bootstrap()

5. You want to create a simple NestJS app that responds with "Welcome to NestJS!" when a user visits '/welcome'. Which code snippet correctly implements this in the controller?

hard

A. import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller()
export class WelcomeController {
@Get('welcome')
welcome() {
return 'Welcome to NestJS!';
}
}

B. import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller('welcome')
export class WelcomeController {
@Get('/')
welcome() {
return 'Welcome to NestJS!';
}
}

C. import { Controller, Post } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller('welcome')
export class WelcomeController {
@Post()
welcome() {
return 'Welcome to NestJS!';
}
}

D. import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common';

@Controller('welcome')
export class WelcomeController {
@Get('welcome')
welcome() {
return 'Welcome to NestJS!';
}
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand route path composition

   The full route path is formed by combining @Controller() path and @Get() path.

2. Step 2: Match the desired route '/welcome'

   Using @Controller() with no path and @Get('welcome') creates the route '/welcome'. import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common'; @Controller() export class WelcomeController { @Get('welcome') welcome() { return 'Welcome to NestJS!'; } } does this correctly.

3. Step 3: Check other options

   import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common'; @Controller('welcome') export class WelcomeController { @Get('/') welcome() { return 'Welcome to NestJS!'; } } creates '/welcome' + '/' = '/welcome/'. import { Controller, Post } from '@nestjs/common'; @Controller('welcome') export class WelcomeController { @Post() welcome() { return 'Welcome to NestJS!'; } } uses POST instead of GET. import { Controller, Get } from '@nestjs/common'; @Controller('welcome') export class WelcomeController { @Get('welcome') welcome() { return 'Welcome to NestJS!'; } } creates '/welcome/welcome'.

4. Final Answer:

   @Controller() with @Get('welcome') -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Use @Get('welcome') with empty @Controller() for '/welcome' [OK]

Hint: Combine @Controller() and @Get() paths carefully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using @Post instead of @Get for GET requests
• Duplicating path in both @Controller and @Get
• Assuming @Controller('welcome') alone sets full path