Building My First Backend API: A Dynamic Profile Endpoint HNG 13

[MyrinNew]

I just completed the Backend Wizards Stage 0 task by building a RESTful API that serves profile data with dynamic cat facts! 🚀


What I Built


· GET /api/me endpoint returning JSON profile data

· Real-time cat facts from CatFact.Ninja API

· Rate limiting (10 requests/30 seconds)

· Dynamic UTC timestamps

· Error handling with fallback facts


Tech Stack


· C# / ASP.NET Core Web API

· Microsoft Rate Limiting

· HttpClient for external API calls

· Railway for deployment


Key Learnings


· ASP.NET Core controller design and routing

· External API integration with proper error handling

· Implementing rate limiting policies

· C# async/await patterns for HTTP requests

· Structured JSON responses with anonymous types


Example Response:






{
"status": "success",
"user": {
"email": "ikechukwugodwin22@gmail.com",
"name": "Ikechukwu F. Godwin",
"stack": "C#/ASP.NET Web API"
},
"timeStamp": "2025-10-15T14:30:45.123Z",
"fact": "Cats have whiskers on their front legs too!"
}







This project solidified my backend fundamentals with ASP.NET Core - from API design to production deployment! 💻




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