Cluster Delta (MERN Stack)

This repository contains a full-stack social media application built with the MERN stack.

MERN Architecture

The application is divided into two main parts:

• client: A React application created with Create React App that serves as the frontend.
• server: A Node.js and Express application that provides the backend API.

How they work together

1. React Client: The user interacts with the React application in their browser. When a user performs an action (e.g., logs in, creates a post), the client sends an HTTP request to the backend API.
2. Express Server: The Express server receives the request, processes it, and interacts with the MongoDB database.
3. MongoDB Database: The server uses Mongoose to model the application data and interact with the MongoDB database.
4. Data Flow: The server sends a response back to the client, which then updates the UI to reflect the changes.

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Project Structure

cluster-delta/
├── client/                 # React frontend
│   ├── public/
│   └── src/
│       ├── components/     # Reusable React components
│       ├── pages/          # Main pages of the application
│       ├── redux/          # Redux store and slices
│       └── utils/          # Utility functions (e.g., api.js)
└── server/                 # Node.js backend
    ├── controllers/        # Logic for handling requests
    ├── dbConfig/           # MongoDB connection configuration
    ├── middleware/         # Custom middleware (e.g., authentication)
    ├── models/             # Mongoose data models
    └── routes/             # API routes

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API Endpoints

The server exposes the following API endpoints:

• POST /auth/register: Register a new user.
• POST /auth/login: Log in a user.
• POST /posts/create-post: Create a new post.
• GET /posts: Get all posts.
• GET /posts/:id: Get a single post.
• POST /posts/like/:id: Like a post.
• POST /posts/comment/:id: Comment on a post.
• DELETE /posts/:id: Delete a post.
• GET /users/get-user/:id?: Get user information.
• PUT /users/update-user: Update user information.
• POST /users/friend-request: Send a friend request.
• POST /users/accept-request: Accept a friend request.

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Setup MongoDB

• The connection URL is given in the .env file of server folder
• Download and Install MongoDB Compass https://www.mongodb.com/try/download/compass
• Cpoy and paste the connection URL in the New Connection option in MongoDB Compass

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js and npm
• MongoDB

Installation and Setup

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/your-username/cluster-delta.git
   cd cluster-delta

2. Setup the server:

   cd server
   npm install

3. Setup the client:

   cd ../client
   npm install

   Create a .env.local file in the client directory and add the following:

   REACT_APP_BACKEND_URL=http://localhost:8800
   

Running the Application

1. Start the server:

   cd server
   npm start

2. Start the client in new Terminal:

   cd ../client
   npm start

The client will be running at http://localhost:3000 and the server at http://localhost:8800.