SokoAPI

This project aims to illustrate to web development students how to write a backend using Node.js

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Features
3. Installation
4. Usage
5. Contributing
6. License

Introduction

Aspiring web developers often grapple with the complexities of backend technologies, seeking comprehensive guidance to navigate the intricacies of server-side scripting. This project endeavors to address this need by providing a detailed illustration tailored for web development students, focusing specifically on crafting a backend utilizing Node.js.

By demystifying the process of backend development, this project aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to embark confidently on their journey as proficient web developers.

Features

Here's a list of features for the Node.js backend SokoAPI project.

1. Routing: Implementing a robust routing system to handle incoming HTTP requests and direct them to the appropriate handlers. Middleware Integration: Utilizing middleware functions to execute tasks such as authentication, logging, and error handling, enhancing the functionality and security of the backend.

2. Database Connectivity: Integrating with databases such as SQLite or PostgreSQL to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations, enabling data storage and retrieval.

3. Authentication and Authorization: Implementing authentication mechanisms like JWT (JSON Web Tokens) or OAuth to secure endpoints and manage user access to resources.

4. Validation: Validating incoming data from client requests to ensure data integrity and prevent malicious inputs, enhancing the reliability of the application.

5. Error Handling: Implementing error-handling middleware to gracefully manage runtime errors and provide informative responses to clients, improving the user experience.

6. Logging: Incorporating logging mechanisms to record application events and errors, aiding in debugging and monitoring the backend's performance.

7. Testing: Writing comprehensive unit tests and integration tests to verify the functionality of the backend components and ensure code quality and reliability.

8. Documentation: Creating detailed documentation for API endpoints, middleware functions, and project structure, facilitating ease of understanding and future maintenance.

9. Security Measures: Implementing security best practices such as input validation, HTTPS encryption, and protection against common web vulnerabilities like XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) and CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery).

10. Scalability: Designing the backend architecture with scalability in mind, employing techniques such as load balancing and horizontal scaling to accommodate increasing user loads.

11. Deployment: Configuring deployment pipelines and deploying the backend to cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Heroku, ensuring accessibility and reliability of the application.

Installation

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following installed on your system:

• Node.js: Download and install Node.js

• Yarn: Install Yarn

• Git: Download and iInstall Git

• Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code

Getting Started

Follow these steps to get started with the project:

1. Clone the repository

   • Navigate to the Directory: Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to clone the repository. cd /path/to/desired/directory
   • Clone the Repository: Use the git clone command followed by the URL of the project repository.

   git clone https://github.com/Pendiam/sokoApi.git
   

   • Verify cloning Once the cloning process is complete, navigate into the cloned repository directory: cd sokoApi

2. Install Dependencies Run Yarn to install the dependencies specified in the package.json file.

   yarn install
   

3. Verify Installation After installation is complete, verify that the dependencies are installed correctly by checking the node_modules. directory.

Usage

To use the SokoAPI backend in your development environment, follow these steps:

1. Configuration Ensure that you have configured the necessary environment variables such as database connection strings, API keys, and any other configuration required by the application. You may utilize a .env file for managing these variables. See .env example.

2. Starting the Server Run the following command to start the development server locally:

   yarn dev

   This command will launch the Node.js server, and by default, it will listen on port specified in APP_PORT environment variable.

3. Testing Endpoints After starting the server, you can test the API endpoints by sending HTTP requests to the appropriate routes. You can access the API endpoints using tools like Postman or Insomnia, or by integrating them into your frontend application.

   Run the sample frontend using the Live Server extension.

Contributing

We welcome contributions from the community to enhance the functionality and quality of the SokoAPI project. To contribute, please follow these guidelines:

1. Fork the Repository: Fork the SokoAPI repository to your own GitHub account.

2. Create a New Branch: Create a new branch in your forked repository to work on your changes. Use a descriptive branch name that reflects the nature of your contribution.

3. Make Your Changes: Implement the desired changes or additions in your branch. Ensure that your code adheres to the project's coding standards and follows best practices.

4. Test Your Changes: Before submitting a pull request, thoroughly test your changes to ensure they work as expected and do not introduce any regressions. Write unit tests and integration tests where applicable.

5. Submit a Pull Request: Once you are satisfied with your changes, submit a pull request to the main repository's main branch. Provide a clear and concise description of your changes in the pull request, including any relevant information or context.

6. Review Process: Your pull request will undergo a review process by the project maintainers. Please be patient during this process and be responsive to any feedback or suggestions for improvement.

7. Merge: If your pull request is approved and passes all checks, it will be merged into the main repository. Congratulations on your contribution!

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.