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Ameh Mathias Ejeh
Ameh Mathias Ejeh

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Profile API with Cat Facts

#node #backend #javascript #api

A simple RESTful API built with Node.js/Express that returns profile information along with dynamic cat facts.

Features

  • Profile endpoint at /me
  • Dynamic cat facts from external API
  • UTC timestamps in ISO 8601 format
  • Graceful error handling with fallback
  • Configurable timeout (5 seconds)
  • CORS enabled
  • Environment variable configuration
  • Request logging

Prerequisites

  • Node.js 18.x or higher
  • npm

Project Setup 

├── app.js # Main application file ├── package.json # Project dependencies and scripts ├── .env.example # Environment variables template ├── .env # environment variables (git-ignored) └── README.md # Documentation
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Installation

  • Clone or create the project directory
  • Install dependencies 
npm install
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  • Configure environment variables 
cp.env.example .env
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  • Edit .env file with your information 
 PORT=8000 USER_EMAIL=yourname@example.com USER_NAME=Your Full Name USER_STACK=Node.js/Express
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Usage

Start the server

Production mode: 

npm start
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Development mode 

npm run dev
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The server will start on http://localhost:8000

API Endpoints

GET /me
Returns profile information with a dynamic cat fact.
Response (Success - 200):

Response (Error - 503):

{ "status": "error", "user": { "email": "your.email@example.com", "name": "Your Full Name", "stack": "Node.js/Express" }, "timestamp": "2025-10-15T14:30:45.123Z", "fact": "Cat fact temporarily unavailable. Did you know cats spend 70% of their lives sleeping?", "error": "Unable to fetch cat fact from external API" }
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GET /health
Health check endpoint.
Response (200):

Testing

Test the endpoint using postman:

// Test profile endpoint http://localhost:8000/me // Test health check http://localhost:8000/health
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Error Handling

The API handles the following error scenarios:

  • Network errors: Returns 503 with fallback message
  • Timeout (5s): Returns 503 with fallback message
  • External API failure: Returns 503 with fallback message
  • Invalid routes: Returns 404 with error message
  • Server errors: Returns 500 with error message

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