StackOverflow Clone

A full-stack web application that replicates the core functionality of Stack Overflow, built with modern web technologies. This project allows users to ask questions, provide answers, vote on content, and engage with a community-driven Q&A platform.

🚀 Features

• User Authentication: Secure registration and login system
• Question Management: Ask, edit, and delete questions
• Answer System: Provide detailed answers to questions
• Voting System: Upvote and downvote questions and answers
• User Profiles: View user information and activity
• Search Functionality: Search questions by keywords and tags
• Tag System: Organize questions with relevant tags
• Responsive Design: Mobile-friendly interface
• Real-time Updates: Dynamic content updates
• Reputation System: User reputation based on community feedback

🛠️ Tech Stack

Frontend (Client)

• Framework: React.js
• Styling: CSS3 / Styled Components
• State Management: Redux / Context API
• HTTP Client: Axios
• Routing: React Router
• Build Tool: Create React App

Backend (Server)

• Framework: Node.js with Express.js
• Database: MongoDB
• Authentication: JWT (JSON Web Tokens)
• ODM: Mongoose
• Security: bcrypt for password hashing
• Middleware: CORS, body-parser

📋 Prerequisites

• Node.js (v14 or higher)
• npm or yarn
• MongoDB database
• Git

🔧 Installation & Setup

1. Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/Lavish-code/StackOverFlow-Clone.git
   cd StackOverFlow-Clone

2. Backend Setup

   cd server
   npm install

   Create a .env file in the server directory:

   PORT=5000
   MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/stackoverflow_clone
   JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret_key
   JWT_EXPIRE=7d

3. Frontend Setup

   cd ../client
   npm install

   Create a .env file in the client directory:

   REACT_APP_API_URL=http://localhost:5000/api

4. Start the Application

   Start the backend server:

   cd server
   npm start

   Start the frontend (in a new terminal):

   cd client
   npm start

The application will be available at:

• Frontend: http://localhost:3000
• Backend API: http://localhost:5000

📚 API Endpoints

Authentication

• POST /api/auth/register - Register a new user
• POST /api/auth/login - User login
• GET /api/auth/me - Get current user profile

Questions

• GET /api/questions - Get all questions
• GET /api/questions/:id - Get a specific question
• POST /api/questions - Create a new question
• PUT /api/questions/:id - Update a question
• DELETE /api/questions/:id - Delete a question
• POST /api/questions/:id/vote - Vote on a question

Answers

• GET /api/questions/:questionId/answers - Get answers for a question
• POST /api/questions/:questionId/answers - Add an answer
• PUT /api/answers/:id - Update an answer
• DELETE /api/answers/:id - Delete an answer
• POST /api/answers/:id/vote - Vote on an answer

Users

• GET /api/users/:id - Get user profile
• PUT /api/users/:id - Update user profile

Tags

• GET /api/tags - Get all tags
• GET /api/tags/:tag/questions - Get questions by tag

🗂️ Project Structure

StackOverFlow-Clone/
├── client/                     # React frontend
│   ├── public/
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── components/         # Reusable UI components
│   │   ├── pages/             # Page components
│   │   ├── api/               # API service functions
│   │   ├── assets/            # Static assets (images, icons)
│   │   ├── reducers/          # Redux reducers
│   │   ├── actions/           # Redux actions
│   │   ├── App.js             # Main App component
│   │   └── index.js           # Entry point
│   ├── package.json
│   └── README.md
├── server/                     # Express.js backend
│   ├── controllers/           # Route controllers
│   ├── middleware/            # Custom middleware
│   ├── models/                # MongoDB models
│   ├── routes/                # API routes
│   ├── index.js               # Server entry point
│   ├── package.json
│   └── package-lock.json
├── README.md
└── LICENSE

🔐 Authentication & Security

• JWT-based authentication system
• Password hashing with bcrypt
• Protected routes and middleware
• CORS configuration for cross-origin requests
• Input validation and sanitization
• Rate limiting on API endpoints

📱 Key Features Breakdown

Question Management

• Rich text editor for question content
• Tag assignment and management
• Question voting system
• Question search and filtering

Answer System

• Comprehensive answer editor
• Answer voting and ranking
• Accept answer functionality
• Answer editing and deletion

User System

• User registration and authentication
• User profiles with activity history
• Reputation system based on community votes
• User dashboard with personal questions and answers

Responsive Design

• Mobile-first approach
• Responsive navigation
• Optimized layouts for different screen sizes
• Touch-friendly interface elements

🧪 Testing

Run tests for the backend:

cd server
npm test

Run tests for the frontend:

cd client
npm test

🚀 Deployment

Backend Deployment

• Can be deployed on platforms like Heroku, Railway, or AWS
• Ensure environment variables are properly configured
• Set up MongoDB Atlas for cloud database

Frontend Deployment

• Build the React app: npm run build
• Deploy to platforms like Netlify, Vercel, or AWS S3
• Configure API base URL for production

📈 Future Enhancements

• Real-time notifications
• Advanced search with filters
• Comment system for answers
• Badge and achievement system
• Email notifications
• Markdown support in questions/answers
• Image upload functionality
• Admin dashboard
• API rate limiting
• Advanced user roles and permissions

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch (git checkout -b feature/AmazingFeature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add some AmazingFeature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/AmazingFeature)
5. Open a Pull Request

📧 Contact

Lavish - GitHub Profile

Project Link: https://github.com/Lavish-code/StackOverFlow-Clone

📝 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Inspired by Stack Overflow's design and functionality
• Thanks to the open-source community for the amazing tools and libraries
• Special thanks to all contributors and testers

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⭐ If you found this project helpful, please give it a star on GitHub!