Web Chat App - Backend (Server)

A robust Node.js backend server for the Web Chat App, providing real-time messaging, user authentication, and data persistence with MongoDB.

🔴 PRIVACY WARNING: This server handles user data for a public chat application where all user names are visible to all users. Ensure your frontend warns users NOT to use real names or personal identifying information.

Frontend Repository

This backend serves a React frontend application. You can find the frontend repository here:

• Frontend Repository: https://github.com/Nugi29/web-chatapp-client.git
• Live Frontend: https://web-chatapp-client.vercel.app/

Features

• ✅ RESTful API with Express.js
• ✅ Real-time messaging with Socket.io
• ✅ JWT-based authentication
• ✅ MongoDB database with Mongoose
• ✅ Password hashing with bcryptjs
• ✅ Image upload with Cloudinary
• ✅ CORS enabled for cross-origin requests
• ✅ Online/Offline user status tracking
• ✅ Message persistence and history

Tech Stack

• Node.js - Runtime environment
• Express.js - Web framework
• Socket.io - Real-time communication
• MongoDB - Database
• Mongoose - MongoDB ODM
• JWT - Authentication tokens
• bcryptjs - Password hashing
• Cloudinary - Image storage
• CORS - Cross-Origin Resource Sharing

Environment Setup

1. Clone this repository
2. Install dependencies:

npm install

3. Create a .env file in the root directory:

PORT=5000
NODE_ENV=production
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string
JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret_key
CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME=your_cloudinary_cloud_name
CLOUDINARY_API_KEY=your_cloudinary_api_key
CLOUDINARY_API_SECRET=your_cloudinary_api_secret

4. Start the development server:

npm run server

For production:

npm start

Available Scripts

• npm start - Start production server
• npm run server - Start development server with nodemon

Project Structure

server/
├── controllers/         # Route handlers
│   ├── messageController.js
│   └── userController.js
├── middleware/         # Custom middleware
│   └── auth.js
├── models/            # Database models
│   ├── message.js
│   └── User.js
├── routes/            # API routes
│   ├── messageRoutes.js
│   └── userRoutes.js
├── lib/               # Utility functions
│   ├── cloudinary.js
│   ├── db.js
│   └── utils.js
├── vercel.json        # Vercel deployment config
└── server.js          # Main server file

Security Features

• Password Hashing: All passwords are hashed using bcryptjs
• JWT Authentication: Secure token-based authentication
• Protected Routes: Middleware to protect sensitive endpoints
• CORS Configuration: Proper cross-origin resource sharing setup
• Environment Variables: Sensitive data stored in environment variables

Privacy & Data Handling

⚠️ IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE:

• This server handles a public chat application
• All user data (except passwords) may be visible to other users
• Implement proper data validation on frontend
• Warn users against using real names or personal information
• Consider implementing additional privacy features if needed

Database Connection

The server connects to MongoDB using Mongoose. Make sure your MongoDB instance is running and accessible with the provided MONGO_URI.

Image Upload

Profile pictures are handled through Cloudinary. Configure your Cloudinary credentials in the environment variables.

Error Handling

The server implements comprehensive error handling:

• Database connection errors
• Authentication errors
• Validation errors
• File upload errors
• Socket connection errors

Development

1. Start MongoDB service
2. Set up environment variables
3. Install dependencies: npm install
4. Run development server: npm run server
5. The server will run on http://localhost:5000 by default

Special Thanks For GreatStack Youtube Channel