URL Shortener

A simple and efficient URL shortener project built with Node.js and Express.

Features

• Shorten URLs: Easily create short URLs for long links.
• Statistics: Track the usage and analytics of your short URLs.
• User Authentication: Secure your URL management with user accounts.

Get Started

1.Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/Mohimkhan/url-shortner.git

Configure the environment variables:

Create a .env file in the project root and add the following:

PORT=3000
DB_URL=your_mongodb_uri
SECRET_KEY=your_secret_key

Alternatively, copy the sample file:

cp .env.sample .env

Installation

2. Install the dependencies

    npm install 
    # or 
    yarn install

3. Start the server

   npm run start

The application will be accessible at http://localhost:3000

Usage

1. Create a user account or log in.

2. Enter a long URL and click "Generate" to create a shortened link.
3. View comprehensive statistics to track URL usage. 5. For admin routes, change your role to 'ADMIN' in the database.

Technical Highlights:

• MVC Architecture: Leverages a structured model-view-controller design for maintainability and scalability.
• Node.js and Express: Built on a robust and efficient JavaScript server-side runtime environment.
• MongoDB Integration: Seamlessly interacts with a MongoDB database for data storage and management.
• Authentication and Authorization: Implements secure user authentication and role-based access control.

Learning Experience

As a newcomer to backend development, this project provided valuable learning experiences, including:

• Backend Foundations: Gained a solid understanding of backend development concepts, including routes, the MVC pattern, authentication, and authorization.
• Role-Based Authentication: Successfully implemented role-based access control to manage user permissions effectively.
• Database Integration: Mastered connecting to a MongoDB database for data storage and management.
• Login and Signup Implementation: Developed robust user account functionality for secure access and interaction with the application.

Initially, I was unfamiliar with role-based authentication, so I had to learn about it and implement it. Connecting to the database was challenging for me, as I am relatively new to backend development. However, I now have a better understanding of how login and signup processes work. Although I didn't replicate the design fully, the main focus was on learning backend development, so there might be responsive issues. Overall, it was a great experience for me.