🛰 PlaceFinder Application

🗺️ Project Description

PlaceFinder is a web application that integrates Google Maps and a third-party API (Foursquare) to allow users to search for places, save favorite locations, and provide suggestions for specific places. The application ensures an interactive and user-friendly experience with features such as displaying location details, saving places to favorites, and managing user comments (suggestions).

🚀 Features

1. 🔎 Search Places

   • Search for places using a query and location.
   • Results displayed as markers on Google Maps.

2. 📍 View Place Details

   • Detailed information about the location, including:
     • 🏷️ Name
     • 📫 Address
     • 📏 Distance
     • 🌐 Timezone
     • 💬 Suggestions
     • ❤️ Option to save to favorites.

3. ❤️ Save Places to Favorites

   • Save places by clicking the "Save" button in the popup.
   • Places stored in the database for authenticated users.

4. 💬 Add and View Suggestions

   • Add comments or suggestions for any place.
   • Suggestions are displayed under place details.
   • Automatic place saving before adding a suggestion.
   • Anonymous users can also contribute suggestions.

5. ⭐ View Saved Favorites

   • Authenticated users can view their favorite places.
   • Display details like:
     • 🏷️ Name
     • 📏 Distance
     • 🌐 Timezone
     • 💬 Suggestions.

6. 🔐 User Authentication

   • Save places to favorites only when logged in.
   • Suggestions available for anonymous users.

🛠️ Technology Stack

• Frontend: HTML, CSS (Bootstrap), JavaScript (ES6), Google Maps API 🌍
• Backend: ASP.NET Core MVC (C#) 🖥️
• Database: MySQL (via Railway) 🛢️
• Third-party API: Foursquare API for fetching place details 📡

🔌 API Endpoints

1. Search Places 🔎

   • Endpoint: GET /Places/Search?query={query}&location={location}

2. Save Place 💾

   • Endpoint: POST /Places/SavePlace
   • Payload:

     {
       "placeId": "unique-id",
       "name": "Place Name",
       "distance": 1000,
       "timezone": "America/Guayaquil"
     }

3. Add Suggestion ✍️

   • Endpoint: POST /Places/AddSuggestion
   • Payload:

     {
       "placeId": "unique-id",
       "content": "Suggestion content"
     }

4. Get Suggestions 📝

   • Endpoint: GET /Places/GetSuggestions?placeId={placeId}

5. Get Favorites 🌟

   • Endpoint: GET /Places/GetFavorites

⚙️ Installation and Setup

1. Clone the Repository 🛠️

   git clone https://github.com/your-repository-url.git
   cd PlaceFinder

2. Setup the Database 🛢️

   • Configure MySQL database and connection string in appsettings.json.

3. Install Dependencies 📦

   • Ensure .NET Core SDK is installed.
   • Run the following command:

     dotnet restore

4. Run the Application ▶️

   dotnet run

   • The application will run on http://localhost:5172.

5. API Keys 🔑

   • Add Google Maps API and Foursquare API keys in the application.

🛠️ Future Enhancements

• Add user authentication with JWT tokens.
• Implement pagination for suggestions.
• Enhance UI/UX for better user experience.
• Add a search history feature for logged-in users.

🗒️ Notes

• The project ensures that places are saved before suggestions are added to avoid "Unknown Place" entries.
• Anonymous users are assigned UserId = 0 for suggestions.

🤝 Credits

• Developed By: Sergio Díaz ✨
• APIs Utilized: 🌍 Google Maps (via GCP), 📍 Foursquare API
• Database Hosted On: 🛢️ Railway

📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.