TomChatApp 🗨️

TomChat is a WhatsApp-like real-time messaging application built with Flask (Python), SQL Server, and React/JavaFX (multi-platform). It includes essential chat features such as friend requests, real-time messaging, online/offline presence, and a responsive UI for both web and desktop experiences.

🚀 Features

• ✅ Real-time messaging using Flask and Socket.IO
• 🔐 User authentication (registration/login)
• 📬 Friend request system (with approval process)
• 🟢 Online/offline status indicators
• 💬 Chat UI that mimics WhatsApp (sent/received bubbles)
• 🖥️ Web frontend using React + Tailwind CSS
• 🖼️ JavaFX desktop frontend with rich UI
• 🗃️ SQL Server backend with triggers, stored procedures, and transactions
• 🔎 User search and chat initiation system
• 📱 Fully responsive design for mobile, tablet, and desktop

🛠️ Tech Stack

Layer	Technology
Frontend	React, JavaFX, Tailwind, HTML/CSS, Java
Backend	Flask, Python, Socket.IO
Database	SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Desktop UI	JavaFX, ControlsFX, FormsFX, TilesFX
Real-time	Flask-SocketIO
Dev Tools	Git, GitHub, Postman, Heroku (optional)

📁 Project Structure

TomChatApp/
├── backend/                  # Flask API
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── models/
│   └── routes/
├── frontend/                 # React App
│   └── src/
├── javafx-client/           # JavaFX Desktop Client
├── database/                # SQL scripts, procedures, triggers
└── README.md

🧪 How to Run

Backend (Flask)

cd backend
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # or venv\Scripts\activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
python app.py

Frontend (React)

cd frontend
npm install
npm run dev

JavaFX Desktop Client

Open with IntelliJ or VSCode + JavaFX Plugin, then run Main.java.

Note: Make sure your SQL Server database is configured correctly with the schema and stored procedures before running.

⚙️ Database Structure

• Users: stores user info
• FriendRequest: pending requests
• Friendship: accepted relationships
• Messages: chat messages
• Presence: online/offline states

Includes:

• Stored Procedures for accepting/declining friend requests
• Triggers for message logging
• Transactions for message delivery consistency

📸 Screenshots

Web Chat UI	Friend Requests	JavaFX Version

🧠 Future Improvements

• Push notifications (web/mobile)
• Video/audio calling
• Chat themes and dark mode
• Media attachments (images, audio)
• Admin dashboard

🙋 About the Author

Thomas Appiah Developer passionate about building scalable real-time and assistive systems. 🔗 GitHub | LinkedIn

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📃 License

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

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### ✅ How to Use It

1. Go to your GitHub repo: [`TomChatApp`](https://github.com/Twenethomas/TomChatApp)
2. Create a new file named `README.md`
3. Copy and paste the full Markdown above into that file
4. Commit it to your main or `lastBranch`

Let me know if you'd like help generating screenshots or if you'd prefer this as a downloadable `.md` file!