"Habesha Chat" is a full-stack social media application designed to serve as a virtual community hub, fostering social connections among users. With over 2000 users and 100 daily visitors, it provides a platform for individuals to interact with one another, share thoughts and photos, and establish connections through private messaging with friends. The project aims to create a vibrant online community where users can engage in meaningful interactions and build relationships. Through the use of modern web technologies and microservices architecture, "Habesha Chat" facilitates seamless user experiences while prioritizing scalability and performance.

Frontend

• React.js: Used for building the user interface, providing a dynamic and interactive experience for users.
• HTML5: Employed for structuring the content of web pages, ensuring semantic markup and accessibility.
• SCSS: Utilized for styling and theming, allowing for modular and maintainable CSS code.
• Material UI, FontAwesome: Integrated libraries for UI components and iconography, enhancing the visual appeal of the application.

Backend

• Node.js: Employed for server-side scripting, enabling event-driven, non-blocking I/O for efficient handling of server requests and responses.
• Express.js: Utilized as the web application framework for Node.js, simplifying the creation of RESTful APIs and middleware.
• MySQL: Chosen as the relational database management system to store and manage data effectively.

Authentication

JWT (JSON Web Tokens): Implemented for secure user authentication, ensuring only authorized users can access the application.

Image Storage

Firebase Storage Bucket: Utilized for storing and serving user-uploaded images, providing scalable and reliable cloud storage.

Server Configuration

Ubuntu Remote Server: Deployed as the remote server environment, providing a stable platform for hosting the application.

Nginx: Used as a reverse proxy server and load balancer to efficiently distribute incoming traffic.

Cloud Service Provider

Hostinger VPS Hosting: Leveraged for reliable hosting services, ensuring high availability and scalability for the application.

User Interaction

Enables users to interact with each other by posting thoughts, photos, and connecting with friends.

Messaging System

Facilitates communication between users through private messaging, fostering social connections within the community.

Authentication and Authorization

Utilizes JWT for secure user authentication, allowing registered users to access the app's features while maintaining data privacy and security.

Scalability and Performance

Implements microservices architecture for improved scalability and performance, allowing the application to handle a large number of users and visitors effectively.

Agile Development

Adopts agile development methodology for project management, ensuring continuous iteration and improvement based on user feedback and evolving requirements.