PathForward

A Graduation project implementing everything from planning to programming and deployment

The plan is a web platform with the purpose to give meaning to those that need it most -- people who are unemployed, through matching their skills and interests with suitable social initiatives and companies.

See the diagrams file for details.

Setup (as of 23-01-31)

First:

Setup MySQL-database, preferably with Docker

If you don't have it set up:

• Download and install: https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/
• In terminal: docker run --name mysql -e MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=secretpw -e 'MYSQL_ROOT_HOST=%' -e MYSQL_DATABASE=pathforward -e MYSQL_USER=user -e MYSQL_PASSWORD=password -p 3306:3306 -d mysql:latest

If you already have it set up:

• Create a database, e.g. through VS Code MySQL extension (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=cweijan.vscode-mysql-client2
• Check that spring.datasource.* like port, username, password settings in \backend\src\main\resources\application.properties correspond with your MySQL settings.

Then:

1. Clone the repo
2. Open terminal and from project root type in:
3. cd backend
4. mvn spring-boot:run
5. Open new terminal and type in:
6. cd ../frontend
7. npm run start
8. Bingo. React frontend should be opened automatically in browser.

To demonstrate fullstack functionality:

1. Login with username "test@test.nu", password "pass".
2. Nothing happens besides that you receive a token in dev-tools.
3. Open dev tools (ctrl + shift + i), and select console.
4. Click "object", then "data", and right-click "access_token".
5. "Copy string contents".
6. Search for "[AUTH TOKEN]" in project.
7. Replace "[AUTH TOKEN]" with the token you copied during step 5.
8. User info from MySQL should now be seen in the React app.

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Values

• Simplicity - focus on the important actions and call to actions when designing and implementing
• Speed - slick and responsive interface as well as organization
• Security - secure with encryption, hash etc
• Effective - evidence-based and systematically followed up

Put trust into peoples own capabilities Empowering people Subject-subject relationships Face-to-face

Another planned function is to have a specific housing service implemented to also help and match people without adequate living conditions, with housing options that are registered in a database. The idea is to connect all kinds of housing-first kinda initiatives -- that is, providing housing first so that individuals then can take steps to get their life sorted. https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/eradicating-homelessness-finland-housing-first-programme

Tools

• Frontend: React + Axios
• Backend: Spring Boot
• Database: MySQL
• Planning: Azure DevOps
• Design: Figma and Lucidchart

A report is being written that documents the process of planning and building the web platform.

Further Improvement Ideas

More creative ideas regarding platform functions:

• Messaging e.g. from case workers -> applying users about possible matches
• Integrated calendar view, e.g. for booked video meetings with meeting links
• The ability for users and admins to plan meet-ups (mainly focused on building peer-to-peer support)
• AI that can help with providing matches
• Blog platform for promotion, success stories, articles about evidence-based methods
• Gamification