Created a mini message board using ReactJS and Express.
For this project I built a full stack message board that lets users leave a message with either a chosen username or anonymously. This project uses ReactJs and react-bootstrap for the front-end and uses Node/Express for its backend. The messages and author names are stored in a Mongodb database.
Through this project I learnt how to:
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Make a full stack application by connecting the front-end with a backend that handles http requests sent to it.
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Connect a MongoDB database to an application to store and retrieve data.
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Work with a back-end framework like Express to handle https requests sent to it from the client side and responding with an appropriate https response like creating a new message on the message board.
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Use a cloud platform like Railways to host a full stack app.
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Hide secrets like API keys and database connection strings using environment variables in an .env file.
Future enhancements/features to be added:
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Adding options to let users update or delete their messages, making this a complete CRUD app.
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Adding authentication using PassportJS to allow users to create accounts and track their messages/message history.
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Allowing users to add images/gifs along with their messages.
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Adding a loading animation/screen while the app is loading messages.